|
Base Camp
Up
| |
- Statistics:
- Date Hiked: September 8, 2001
- Miles Hiked: 12.6
- Elevation Gain: 5,009'
- Hiking Partner(s): Chuck
Bauman
- Description:
- There are 9 peaks in Idaho over 12,000', and Hyndman Peak is number nine on the
12er list at 12,009'. Two down, seven to go.
- Needless to say, I felt a little
defeated after my escapade in the Pioneer Mountains a couple a weeks
ago, so I talked Chuck into returning to the Hyndman Basin with
me. To reach the trailhead for Hyndman Peak, drive south of
Ketchum on Highway 75 for 5.5 miles and turn east on East Fork Road
#118. Then go 7 miles to Hyndman Creek Road #203 and turn left
continuing another 4.7 miles to a gate where the hike begins.
- Chuck and I left Boise rather
late on the 7th and got to the trailhead in time to have a bedtime snack
and crawl into the back of his pickup for some shut eye. We awoke
to a chilly morning and a very frost covered landscape. We packed
our gear, had some oatmeal, and hit the "correct" trail
heading due east.
- The first 2.5 to 3 miles of the
path were relatively easy and gave us a chance to warm up and drop off
the extra clothes we started with. At the base of the west face of
Cobb Peak, the trail splits right into Big Basin, and left into Hyndman
Basin. We had our first serious elevation gain here as we took the
trail north to a small dried pond at 8,700'. If I were to do this
hike over, I would definitely make it a backpacking trip and set up camp
at this pond with a day hike to the summit.
- Anyway, from here the trail
faded in and out and we climbed more and got above the tree line.
You pass a couple of small lakes as you pick you way through Hyndman
Basin towards our second major goal Hyndman Saddle at 5.5 miles.
After scrambling to this saddle between Hyndman and Old Hyndman, we were
able to get some excellent views to the east of the Lost River Range and
Mount Borah which was covered with snow.
- With the summit in sight, we had
.8 miles and 1,200' to go. This last section was a total scramble
with no clear trail at all. Although there was a little snow to
deal with, the loose rock proved to be quite tricky. You simply
had to select your steps wisely and make your way through the boulders
and talus. We decided to leave one of our packs at the saddle and
take turns carrying our cameras and water to the summit.
- After a great deal of
persistence, we finally reached 12,009' and the top of Hyndman
Peak. It was a grueling hike that tested me similar to Borah, but
it was well worth it. The 360 degree views were spectacular and we
both bagged our second 12,000' peak. We spent about 30 minutes on
the summit taking photos and enjoying our accomplishment before we
headed back down the same route we came.
- We stopped in Haley on the way
home for a quick bite to eat and drove back to the city of trees.
Unfortunately, I forgot to put sun screen on and my face peeled pretty
bad over the next week. In addition to this, there was a photo in
the Statesman the following week of a another hiker we met on the trail
that day. It was a photo of Cobb Peak from Hyndman. It was a
great climb, but I am afraid that if I choose anymore 5,000' elevation
gain hikes, that Chuck will ditch me and find someone else to hike with.
- Maps:
- Here is the correct, or at least
shortest, route to Hyndman Peak. The trail is relatively apparent
until you get to the second lake or pond. After that although
there is not trail, it is pretty obvious where the saddle and peak
are. The 3D map faces directly southwest down Hyndman Basin.
- Click here to view a 2D map of
the area where this hike is located.
- Click here to view a
second 2D map of
the area where this hike is located.
- Click
here to view a
3D map of
the area where this hike is located.
- Photographs:
- This is a photo of Hyndman Peak from the
west ridge of Cobb Peak. From this point, Hyndman's east ridge
doesn't look too intimidating, but from Old Hyndman, it looks much more
impressive.
- This is the ridge from the saddle between
Hyndman and Old Hyndman to the top.
- A photo of the snow covered Lost
River Range to the east.
- Old
Hyndman stands directly in the center.
- The trail basically followed the
Hyndman Basin to the saddle between Hyndman
and Old Hyndman. You can see a portion of Cobb Peak in the left of
this photo.
| |
www.
just
hiking
.com
|
