Greylock Mountain

Location: Extreme Southwestern Sawtooths, near the tiny town of Atlanta

Nearby Peaks: Blizzard Mountain, Nahneke Mountain, Flat Top Mountain, Scenic Peak

Linkups: Blizzard Mountain

Difficulty:  Class 2-3 (bushwhacking, endurance)

Usage: scrambling

Terrain:  Rugged ridgeline above steep cliffs and brush

Traffic:  Very Light

Summit Register:  Yes- PVC tube placed 10-2010 and the existing log was placed in this.  There were about 15-20 signatures at this time.

History / Etymology:  it is reported that this great gray mountain was called Grayrock by early residents of Atlanta, but the Chinese there had difficulty pronouncing the "r" in "rock" and it soon became "Greylock."

Nearest Paved Roads:  ID-21  (from Boise via Edna Creek this drive is about 2.5 hrs)

Nearest Dirt Roads / Conditions:  China Basin/ Queens River Road (decent- usually passable without 4WD), Middle Fork of Boise River (Good), Swanholm Peak Road (Good), North Fork Boise River Road (Good), Edna Creek Road (Good)

Approach Trails / Conditions:  The Queens River trail is a good single track trail. The China Basin trail toward Atlanta is rough in the river valley section and gets better the higher up it climbs.

Main Route:  Follow the Queens River Trail for 2.7 miles to the right turn (south) onto the China Basin / Joe Daly trail.  This junction is marked with a small "Atlanta" sign.  Cross the Queens River and climb the switchbacks to an initial high point, then drop into China Basin and climb to the high point of this trail at 1.8 miles from the previous junction.  The trail from here drops down south to Atlanta, but leave the trail and follow the side ridge to a point between Point 8404 and Point 8826.  This section is the most rugged and loose of this climb.  From the saddle climb over Points 8826 and 9298.  The true summit is Point 9363.  Retrace your route, or follow the ridge onto Blizzard Mountain for a great ridge traverse.

Main Route Stats:  14 miles / 5081 (round trip)

Average RT Time:  7-9 hours

Other Routes:  Continue on to Blizzard Mountain and descend down to the Queens River Trail below that peak for the traverse.

Other Route Stats:  17.8 miles / 7025 (round trip)

Average RT Time:  9-12 hours

Red Tape

Jurisdiction:  Sawtooth National Forest

Permit:  Yes- self registration at trailhead

Other Users / Issues:  Hunters

Maps:  USGS Quad- Atlanta West, Atlanta East, Mt. Everly

Guide Book:  Tom Lopez,  Idaho: A Climbing Guide

When To Climb

Climbing Season:  May - Oct

Ideal Climbing Time:  Sept

Nearest Weather Station:  Atlanta, Smiley Creek, Vienna Mine

Weather Relative to Region:  The trailhead is lower in elevation than much of the region and it similar to the Grandjean trailhead.  Expect slightly warmer and drier conditions.

Camping

Car Camping Sites:  Queens River CG, Riverside CG, Camp Gulch CG

Backpacking Sites:  Along the Queens River, Misfire Lakes, lots of unnamed lakes below the ridge

Flora & Fauna

Potential Wildlife:  Badger, Beaver, Black Bear, Mule Deer, Pronghorn, Cougar, Coyote, Elk, Marmot, Marten, Moose, Mountain Goat, Rainbow Trout, Brook Trout, Grouse

Confirmed Wildlife: Mountain Goat, Elk, Marmot, Pika, Grouse

Vegetation:  Ponderosa, Lodgepole, Engelman Spruce

Images

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