reilly17 - Aug 13, 2022 6:31 pm Date Climbed: Aug 13, 2022
Baird misadventure
Went up Little Elk Creek and followed the standard route to the summit. After you cut off the main trail, there's a decent trail that takes you up to the bowl under Baird. Once you get up onto the west ridge, there are a variety of climbers trails that'll take you up; I followed these up. However, on the way down I decided to try the north ridge. I was able to descend a very steep slope down about 750 feet, but then cliffed out repeatedly just yards from the bottom and had to go all the way back up and down the west ridge. With some more scouting from below, I think this route is doable for the foolhardy or skilled, but not for me. But it's a beautiful view from the summit, just amazing.
sjaxon16 - Aug 9, 2020 9:45 am Date Climbed: Aug 8, 2020
Since most of us are probably unfamiliar with any books featuring this summit, I am going to offer some extra beta.
I took the Little Elk Creek Trail, #151. There is a relatively new sign at the trailhead. Two trails start here; I took the one to the right. I saw no vehicles nor people from the time I left the pavement. The road is drivable for all vehicles.
As it was just myself and my dogs in grizzly country, I played some podcasts on the external speaker of my phone and made some extra noise besides.
We followed the trail up to 8800' where I had expected to do some routefinding on the western ridgeline. Once there, I found a cairn and a trail leading off toward the northwestern cirque so I followed it. The trail petered out a couple times before fading completely once we got to the northern ridge. I was unsure of this route as the northern ridge looked like an exposed scramble, but thinking we may find a route around the summit block to a gentler approach on the eastern side, we pursued this a bit.
With my dogs in tow I was not interested in an exposed scramble, but it soon became apparent that the summit would only be accessible via this means from our present location. Since no obvious route presented itself, we traced the contours back toward the western ridge, our initial intended route. This took us up and down some gullies until we gained the western ridge. It is not too exposed but recent precipitation meant some slick mud, so it got a little tricky at a couple points. At a couple points we were almost hit by rockfall and I looked up to see mountain goats near the summit.
Once we gained the western ridge it was a fairly obvious walk/class 2 scramble up to the summit. Once to the summit, there were no mountain goats in sight.
It was fantastic having a totally different perspective of the Tetons, where the Grand Teton dominated and obscured all the other highest peaks in the range.
On our descent we followed the western ridge all the way back to the trail and found this to be very easygoing. It is apparent others have done this also. If you depart the trail at about 43.36884, -111.10633 and head up the slope until you gain the ridge, then roughly follow the ridge to the summit, you will find this route to be pretty easygoing with almost no scrambling and minimal exposure.
Peaker - Sep 10, 2018 10:12 am Date Climbed: Sep 2, 2018
Nice Hike
Nice views and a nice area right around the peak with fall colors beginning to accent the vegetation.
Super Dave - Jun 19, 2017 8:02 pm Date Climbed: Jun 9, 2017
Little Elk Creek
Great hike up Little Elk Creek with boisedoc. Really pretty area and a fun climb. Trip Report
boisedoc - Jun 11, 2017 2:42 pm Date Climbed: Jun 9, 2017
lots of snow
SuperDave and I made it across several exciting crossings of Little Elk Creek down low- running quite high with the high snow year- the only casualty was a lost pole that floated downstream. up high, the snow was supportive. we used crampons off and on up the northwest ridge. we then dropped across the basin to climb Little Elk Peak. great fun. Some good Teton views
wyomtman - Sep 3, 2014 9:10 pm Date Climbed: Aug 30, 2014
Great hike!
Saw 3 mountain goats along with a great view. Much easier hike then we expected. Do it!
Jermover - May 21, 2012 10:58 am Date Climbed: May 21, 2012
A little snow still on the Baird
This was a great climb. I went up with some friends and a group of students from BYUI. There was still enough snow that we were able to spend most of the upper half on top of the white stuff. The students had the chance to learn how to use crampons and ice axe and how to arrest. Fun day with some fun people.
I have been on top of Mt Baird 6 times, and the last time was the best. I packed skis up to the snow line in early May 05. I skinned up to the summit, and made some fun turns skiing down. It was an awesome day, one of my best in the mountains. It is a great Teton view, and the other peaks of the Snake River Range look fantastic from the summit.
Dean - Feb 28, 2009 10:23 am Date Climbed: Aug 5, 2007
Trail & NW ridge
Dennis Poulin and myself were working on the Idaho county highpoints and this was one we really enjoyed. We car camped at the TH and was able to get up and down before an afternoon thunderstorm rolled in.
reilly17 - Aug 13, 2022 6:31 pm Date Climbed: Aug 13, 2022
Baird misadventureWent up Little Elk Creek and followed the standard route to the summit. After you cut off the main trail, there's a decent trail that takes you up to the bowl under Baird. Once you get up onto the west ridge, there are a variety of climbers trails that'll take you up; I followed these up. However, on the way down I decided to try the north ridge. I was able to descend a very steep slope down about 750 feet, but then cliffed out repeatedly just yards from the bottom and had to go all the way back up and down the west ridge. With some more scouting from below, I think this route is doable for the foolhardy or skilled, but not for me. But it's a beautiful view from the summit, just amazing.
sjaxon16 - Aug 9, 2020 9:45 am Date Climbed: Aug 8, 2020
Fun day hike.
huskertriguy - Sep 29, 2019 2:29 pm Date Climbed: Sep 18, 2019
CoolSince most of us are probably unfamiliar with any books featuring this summit, I am going to offer some extra beta.
I took the Little Elk Creek Trail, #151. There is a relatively new sign at the trailhead. Two trails start here; I took the one to the right. I saw no vehicles nor people from the time I left the pavement. The road is drivable for all vehicles.
As it was just myself and my dogs in grizzly country, I played some podcasts on the external speaker of my phone and made some extra noise besides.
We followed the trail up to 8800' where I had expected to do some routefinding on the western ridgeline. Once there, I found a cairn and a trail leading off toward the northwestern cirque so I followed it. The trail petered out a couple times before fading completely once we got to the northern ridge. I was unsure of this route as the northern ridge looked like an exposed scramble, but thinking we may find a route around the summit block to a gentler approach on the eastern side, we pursued this a bit.
With my dogs in tow I was not interested in an exposed scramble, but it soon became apparent that the summit would only be accessible via this means from our present location. Since no obvious route presented itself, we traced the contours back toward the western ridge, our initial intended route. This took us up and down some gullies until we gained the western ridge. It is not too exposed but recent precipitation meant some slick mud, so it got a little tricky at a couple points. At a couple points we were almost hit by rockfall and I looked up to see mountain goats near the summit.
Once we gained the western ridge it was a fairly obvious walk/class 2 scramble up to the summit. Once to the summit, there were no mountain goats in sight.
It was fantastic having a totally different perspective of the Tetons, where the Grand Teton dominated and obscured all the other highest peaks in the range.
On our descent we followed the western ridge all the way back to the trail and found this to be very easygoing. It is apparent others have done this also. If you depart the trail at about 43.36884, -111.10633 and head up the slope until you gain the ridge, then roughly follow the ridge to the summit, you will find this route to be pretty easygoing with almost no scrambling and minimal exposure.
Peaker - Sep 10, 2018 10:12 am Date Climbed: Sep 2, 2018
Nice HikeNice views and a nice area right around the peak with fall colors beginning to accent the vegetation.
Super Dave - Jun 19, 2017 8:02 pm Date Climbed: Jun 9, 2017
Little Elk CreekGreat hike up Little Elk Creek with boisedoc. Really pretty area and a fun climb. Trip Report
boisedoc - Jun 11, 2017 2:42 pm Date Climbed: Jun 9, 2017
lots of snowSuperDave and I made it across several exciting crossings of Little Elk Creek down low- running quite high with the high snow year- the only casualty was a lost pole that floated downstream. up high, the snow was supportive. we used crampons off and on up the northwest ridge. we then dropped across the basin to climb Little Elk Peak. great fun. Some good Teton views
wyomtman - Sep 3, 2014 9:10 pm Date Climbed: Aug 30, 2014
Great hike!Saw 3 mountain goats along with a great view. Much easier hike then we expected. Do it!
Jermover - May 21, 2012 10:58 am Date Climbed: May 21, 2012
A little snow still on the BairdThis was a great climb. I went up with some friends and a group of students from BYUI. There was still enough snow that we were able to spend most of the upper half on top of the white stuff. The students had the chance to learn how to use crampons and ice axe and how to arrest. Fun day with some fun people.
wyopeakMike - Aug 23, 2009 11:29 pm
Baird rulesI have been on top of Mt Baird 6 times, and the last time was the best. I packed skis up to the snow line in early May 05. I skinned up to the summit, and made some fun turns skiing down. It was an awesome day, one of my best in the mountains. It is a great Teton view, and the other peaks of the Snake River Range look fantastic from the summit.
Dean - Feb 28, 2009 10:23 am Date Climbed: Aug 5, 2007
Trail & NW ridgeDennis Poulin and myself were working on the Idaho county highpoints and this was one we really enjoyed. We car camped at the TH and was able to get up and down before an afternoon thunderstorm rolled in.