It's a cool peak for how easy the access is. Tried to do Prairie Creek Peak after but one of the dogs with us couldn't hang with the class3 so we aborted down to Big Lost Lake. There are trails throughout that basin that aren't on the map.
TheWolfIsLoose - Jul 15, 2016 1:02 am Date Climbed: Jun 19, 2016
Amazing Scenery!
After much research, I came upon Norton Peak while trying to find a place where I could sneak a short summit in while spending time camping with some less adventurous friends. We camped at the lower Norton Lakes and had the place completely to ourselves, which was amazing! I even got to make a quick ascent of the peak near the lake before dinner!
The next morning my girlfriend, her friend from PA, and I set out for the summit while our other friends hung at the lake. We encountered some snow along the way, but nothing too significant. Our PA friend eventually puckered out (she had flown in the day before), but still got to 10,000 feet. The remaining ridge walk to the summit was a lot of fun and the views were absolutely stunning. We were the first to sign the register for 2016!
Summitted Big Basin Peak the day before, wanted something easier and this hit the spot. Great views, gorgeous lakes, fun little scramble at the top. I did have to carry a small dog down from the lake but she was adorable. Can't be mad about it.
The tower thing had fallen down from what I saw, it was a pile of wood and barbed wire.
with a nice trail that goes within a couple hundred feet of the summit, this is a good choice if you are short on time. Nice late summer day- mountains are all free of snow- likely to change within a few days.
Deez - May 27, 2014 5:24 pm Date Climbed: Jun 22, 2013
First 10k
First peak over 10K for me and it was so beautiful. So lucky to have moved to a beautiful place and have a BF that takes to these great places.
DrGranola - Jun 23, 2013 1:51 pm Date Climbed: Jun 22, 2013
Thumbs up
Hiked in and camped at the upper lake. Had a pretty good snow flurry on the first day of summer. Climbed the peak the next day. First big peak for my GF and our dog. Great views, no goats. It felt closer to 8 miles round trip, as opposed to the 6.5 stated.
TimB - Oct 24, 2011 9:24 pm Date Climbed: Aug 9, 1979
Saw this log and...
had to sign it, even though I climbed it when I was a little kid.
Don't remember seeing any goats, though. ;)
SawtoothSean - Dec 18, 2010 2:16 pm Date Climbed: Aug 4, 2008
With the Boys
Over nighter and summitted with John and his friend and Dad the next day. Saw Goats.
mtybumpo - Aug 22, 2009 5:26 pm Date Climbed: Aug 21, 2009
Fun Peak
Took my scout troop to Norton Lakes for an outing and we climbed the peak. Everyone had lots of fun and the view from the top was amazing! We also saw 2 or three goats. (One might have been a repeat sighting.)
Hike-a-biked to Norton Lakes. After scrambling up the SE Ridge of the peak just west of Lower Norton Lake (can't find if it is named, it is just over 9700 feet high), came back down and found the trail to Norton. Didn't see any goats all day. A fun hike/scramble. Total time C 2 C was just under 5 hours. Ride down from the lake was 15 minutes. Fun day.
Deltaoperator17 - Jul 7, 2008 12:50 am Date Climbed: Jul 5, 2008
South Ridge
Camped at Upper Norton Lake, got up the next morning and climbed up the switchbacks to the South Ridge. We had a marvelous day; the wind was blowing hard on the summit. Matt scratched the USGS Marker with a pencil so we he had a nice imprint of it... NO Goats (are only disappointment).
IdaClimber - Oct 30, 2006 4:23 pm Date Climbed: Sep 16, 2006
South Ridge
Very Nice Climb. Great September day in the Smokeys.
Scrambling Man - Aug 15, 2006 9:39 pm Date Climbed: Aug 15, 2006
Family Summit
Took the trail up from Norton Lakes to the saddle. Hiked up the ridge to the peak from there. Beautiful day. 6 of us made it to the summit, including a 9-month-old and a 18-month-old, who both rode in kid carrier backpacks. Hopefully someday they will come back to these peaks under their own power. Great summit views.
Scrambling Man - Feb 14, 2006 3:57 am Date Climbed: Jul 26, 2005
South Ridge
Hiked in from Prarie Creeks' TH to Miner Lake. Took the trail to the saddle and then climbed the ridge to the top. My camera broke on the summit. Great views of Boulders, Pioneers, White Clouds (mainly Castle Peak).
Route Climbed: south ridge Date Climbed: September 27 2005
The lower trail to the Norton lakes is a popular destination for Sun Valley-ites. But the view from the top is worth the crowds. You can see the White Clouds, Sawtooths, Boulders and Pioneers. Also, I've never been to this area without spotting at least one mountain goat.
Route Climbed: South Ridge Date Climbed: October 9th/05
Climbed through a small snowstorm to break through clouds near the summit and view the freshly fallen snow. I could hear helicopters buzzing in the nearby Sawtooth in the rescue attempt on Thompson Peak.
Then did a long and time consuming traverse to Prarie Creek Peak and returned via Big Lost Lake, great day!
TN310 - Aug 28, 2020 6:27 am Date Climbed: Aug 16, 2020
Norton Peak w/HerveSolo on the summit today.
TN310 - Aug 9, 2020 8:16 pm Date Climbed: Jul 12, 2020
Norton PeakFun run up.
cascadescrambler - Aug 7, 2019 6:18 pm Date Climbed: Jul 16, 1996
NortonWhat is that wooden thing?
derekperc - Sep 12, 2018 7:55 pm Date Climbed: Sep 12, 2018
Nice quick outingIt's a cool peak for how easy the access is. Tried to do Prairie Creek Peak after but one of the dogs with us couldn't hang with the class3 so we aborted down to Big Lost Lake. There are trails throughout that basin that aren't on the map.
TheWolfIsLoose - Jul 15, 2016 1:02 am Date Climbed: Jun 19, 2016
Amazing Scenery!After much research, I came upon Norton Peak while trying to find a place where I could sneak a short summit in while spending time camping with some less adventurous friends. We camped at the lower Norton Lakes and had the place completely to ourselves, which was amazing! I even got to make a quick ascent of the peak near the lake before dinner!
The next morning my girlfriend, her friend from PA, and I set out for the summit while our other friends hung at the lake. We encountered some snow along the way, but nothing too significant. Our PA friend eventually puckered out (she had flown in the day before), but still got to 10,000 feet. The remaining ridge walk to the summit was a lot of fun and the views were absolutely stunning. We were the first to sign the register for 2016!
LazyJSkwires - Jul 5, 2015 12:18 pm Date Climbed: Jul 4, 2015
Popular placeSummitted Big Basin Peak the day before, wanted something easier and this hit the spot. Great views, gorgeous lakes, fun little scramble at the top. I did have to carry a small dog down from the lake but she was adorable. Can't be mad about it.
The tower thing had fallen down from what I saw, it was a pile of wood and barbed wire.
boisedoc - Sep 25, 2014 11:43 pm Date Climbed: Sep 25, 2014
nice short outingwith a nice trail that goes within a couple hundred feet of the summit, this is a good choice if you are short on time. Nice late summer day- mountains are all free of snow- likely to change within a few days.
Deez - May 27, 2014 5:24 pm Date Climbed: Jun 22, 2013
First 10kFirst peak over 10K for me and it was so beautiful. So lucky to have moved to a beautiful place and have a BF that takes to these great places.
DrGranola - Jun 23, 2013 1:51 pm Date Climbed: Jun 22, 2013
Thumbs upHiked in and camped at the upper lake. Had a pretty good snow flurry on the first day of summer. Climbed the peak the next day. First big peak for my GF and our dog. Great views, no goats. It felt closer to 8 miles round trip, as opposed to the 6.5 stated.
TimB - Oct 24, 2011 9:24 pm Date Climbed: Aug 9, 1979
Saw this log and...had to sign it, even though I climbed it when I was a little kid.
Don't remember seeing any goats, though. ;)
SawtoothSean - Dec 18, 2010 2:16 pm Date Climbed: Aug 4, 2008
With the BoysOver nighter and summitted with John and his friend and Dad the next day. Saw Goats.
mtybumpo - Aug 22, 2009 5:26 pm Date Climbed: Aug 21, 2009
Fun PeakTook my scout troop to Norton Lakes for an outing and we climbed the peak. Everyone had lots of fun and the view from the top was amazing! We also saw 2 or three goats. (One might have been a repeat sighting.)
BSPclimber - Sep 30, 2008 1:08 pm Date Climbed: Sep 27, 2008
south ridgeHike-a-biked to Norton Lakes. After scrambling up the SE Ridge of the peak just west of Lower Norton Lake (can't find if it is named, it is just over 9700 feet high), came back down and found the trail to Norton. Didn't see any goats all day. A fun hike/scramble. Total time C 2 C was just under 5 hours. Ride down from the lake was 15 minutes. Fun day.
Deltaoperator17 - Jul 7, 2008 12:50 am Date Climbed: Jul 5, 2008
South RidgeCamped at Upper Norton Lake, got up the next morning and climbed up the switchbacks to the South Ridge. We had a marvelous day; the wind was blowing hard on the summit. Matt scratched the USGS Marker with a pencil so we he had a nice imprint of it... NO Goats (are only disappointment).
IdaClimber - Oct 30, 2006 4:23 pm Date Climbed: Sep 16, 2006
South RidgeVery Nice Climb. Great September day in the Smokeys.
Scrambling Man - Aug 15, 2006 9:39 pm Date Climbed: Aug 15, 2006
Family SummitTook the trail up from Norton Lakes to the saddle. Hiked up the ridge to the peak from there. Beautiful day. 6 of us made it to the summit, including a 9-month-old and a 18-month-old, who both rode in kid carrier backpacks. Hopefully someday they will come back to these peaks under their own power. Great summit views.
Scrambling Man - Feb 14, 2006 3:57 am Date Climbed: Jul 26, 2005
South RidgeHiked in from Prarie Creeks' TH to Miner Lake. Took the trail to the saddle and then climbed the ridge to the top. My camera broke on the summit. Great views of Boulders, Pioneers, White Clouds (mainly Castle Peak).
BeDrinkable - Jan 3, 2006 12:41 pm
Route Climbed: south ridge Date Climbed: September 27 2005The lower trail to the Norton lakes is a popular destination for Sun Valley-ites. But the view from the top is worth the crowds. You can see the White Clouds, Sawtooths, Boulders and Pioneers. Also, I've never been to this area without spotting at least one mountain goat.
IdahoKid - Oct 10, 2005 2:34 pm
Route Climbed: South Ridge Date Climbed: October 9th/05Climbed through a small snowstorm to break through clouds near the summit and view the freshly fallen snow. I could hear helicopters buzzing in the nearby Sawtooth in the rescue attempt on Thompson Peak.
Then did a long and time consuming traverse to Prarie Creek Peak and returned via Big Lost Lake, great day!
Sean