Reward Peak

Overview

Reward Peak sits in the center of the gorgeous Sawtooth Wilderness Area of Idaho. With its central location, it offers very...errr...rewarding views.
According to "Idaho, A Climbing Guide" by Tom Lopez:
It was named in 1927 by Arval Anderson, who was surveying for the USGS. Anderson found a note, originally left on the summit in 1925, which offered the finder a $25 reward for returning the note. 

Getting There

Drive in toward the Redfish Lake Lodge, but park at the hikers parking lot, about 1/4 mile short of the lodge itself. Walk the road to the lodge and take the boat across Redfish Lake-- round trip costs $15 and is well spent to avoid the gruesome hike.
From the boat dock, hike up Redfish Creek to Flatrock Junction. Here you have a choice:
A. Alpine Lake
Hike up to Alpine Lake and past to the first switchback. Head cross country to the saddle just west of Mount Alpen, then drop down into the basin. Expect snow on the north side of this pass, even in August.
B. Upper Redfish Creek
There are a variety of routes that one can bushwack to access this drainage. One follows Redfish Creek up from Flatrock Junction, then climbs a very steep hillside to the Upper Redfish Lakes and Lake Kathryn.

From the upper basin, hike into the drainage north/northeast of the peak and either follow the basin the whole way or hop on the ridge to your south. It is open country with opportunities for loads of talus, boulder scrambling, or even some flowered gassy terraces. Your choice. You might also find snow well into August.
There is running water to within about 600 feet of the summit. 

A self-issued Wilderness permit is required. Fill out the tag at the trailhead after you get off the boat.Red Tape

Some areas in the Wilderness do not permit campfires. Check the trailhead kiosk or contact the Forest Service.

View to the south

Camping

Redfish Lake has lots of fee-camping
Or you can even stay at the lodge. See links below.
There is also lots of camping available within the Wilderness area. In particular, Alpine Lake is very popular. Or anywhere in the Upper Redfish Lake basin.[img:536486:alignright:small:View to the east]

External Links

For additional information on this climb and other peaks in the area, please see Tom Lopez's excellent book, Idaho: A Climbing Guide

Additions and CorrectionsPost an Addition or Correction

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SawtoothSean - Aug 29, 2009 8:52 pm - Voted 10/10

Rumoured Trail

"There is rumored to be an unofficial trail that heads up the west side of Redfish Creek from Flatrock" I saw no signs of this trail on a climb of Elk Peak where I covered a good portion of the terrain west of Redfish Creek past Flatrock

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