Peak 5713

Overview

This mountain is situated just north of Peak 5532 and is due west of the city of Clark, Wyoming. While the spectacular Clarks Fork Canyon dominates the views from the two peaks to the south, the narrower but no less scenic Littlerock Canyon is the centerpiece of the scenery while hiking on Peak 5713. Littlerock Creek runs over 5.0 miles down through this gorge and starts near Deep Lake, which lies hidden amongst cliffs and walls measuring over 1500 feet tall. Farther to the north, you can also see the smaller canyon created by Bennett Creek as it comes down off of the Beartooths.

This hike takes you through a wide variety of places in only two miles. After starting next to a boisterous creek in a forested setting, it then crosses a wide field of sage brush before heading up on the mountain, which features lots of the conglomerate rock that is found in this area. This place is commonly swept by terrific wind, and it was blowing between 50 and 60 mph on the summit ridge when I was up there.

Getting There

From Cody, Wyoming, follow Highway 120 north for about 29 miles until you come to the Edelweiss area and turn left onto County Road 1AB (292). Travel for 7.6 miles, staying left at the fork which becomes Canyon Road; turn right on County Road 8RA and drive for almost 0.9 miles, at which point you will take the right road at the fork (the left one leads to a house). Stay left at the next two forks over the next half mile. The last fork takes you onto a rough road where high clearance is a must and 4WD was nice to have. You will reach the Shoshone National Forest boundary after 0.4 miles, where I parked, but the road is drivable past here in spite of the rocks.

Even though you are heading away from the mountain, walk for a half mile west on the road to the bridge that spans Littlerock Creek. There may be some times of year when fording this stream farther east would be feasible, but in early May it looked a little too fast and rocky to be much fun. After crossing the bridge, backtrack east along the north side of the creek and gradually head northeast towards the mountain. After rounding the corner of the fence at the far end of the field, you will start heading up the side of the mountain, crossing under one fence to do so (this is still National Forest land).

The scramble up is not too hard or steep, but it can be made more interesting if you head through some of the easy Class 3 rock bands on the way up. Once you are on the ridge, head north to the highest point; there is a another point farther north that is pretty close in elevation, but it is not higher.

The summit of Peak 5713 is reached via an easy Class 2 hike of about 2.0 miles and 900 feet of elevation gain.

Red Tape

There are no fees to hike this area; much of the northern, eastern, and southern parts of this mountain are either situated on or blocked by private property. Camping and open fires are subject to Shoshone National Forest regulations.

External Links

Information on the Clarks Fork Ranger District

Images

View Peak 5713 Image Gallery - 14 Images