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Base Camp
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- Statistics:
- Date Hiked: September 27, 2002
- Miles Hiked: 4.0
- Elevation Gain: 3,000'
- Hiking Partner(s): None
- Description:
- There are 9 peaks in Idaho over 12,000', and this is number five on
the 12er list. I didn't make it to the summit, so I still have
five down with four to go.
- Call me a wimp or call me smart, I'd say it was a little of
both. If I hadn't been alone, or if the weather had been just a
bit better, I probably would have made it. But, when push came to
shove I turned back without making it to the top.
- The directions to the trailhead from the guide book I was using may be
accurate, but with so many jeep trails to the west of the Lost River
Range I had a difficult time making it to the trailhead. I tried
to make a few mental notes on the way back out, so this is my best
description. Turn east on Upper Cedar Creek road off of Highway 93
exactly at milepost 115. This road is well marked with a
sign. Drive three miles east and right after crossing a canal head
northwest next to the canal. There was about a foot of water in
the canal, so although a passenger car might make it, I would recommend
a high clearance vehicle. In addition, the going from here
remained rough. After crossing the canal, reset your odometer to
zero. As you go along the canal, take the first right which is in
less than a quarter mile away. You should be going east northeast,
and then you will want to take the next left at a four way
intersection. This turn also comes up on you quickly. Follow
this "road" north and when your odometer hits 1 mile, there
will be a very vague fork, go right on what appeared to be the less
traveled road. You should still be going north and then you will
cross two larger ditches. After crossing the second ditch, make a
hard right even though there doesn't appear to be a road. Follow
this east and when you hit heavier sage brush, you will pick up the road
again which winds its way to the mouth of the Pete Creek Canyon.
All of these jeep trails are primitive and be prepared to possibly
scratch your vehicle up a bit from the overgrown sage brush along the
side of the road.
- I left Boise after work on Thursday at 5:00 and was in Arco at
8:00. I used the directions I had, but eventually decided to wait
until morning to get to the trailhead otherwise I could have drove
around all night. The directions I give above are from the way
out, but they are certainly not the way I got to Pete Creek this Friday
morning. After becoming frustrated with all the different roads, I
simply locked my vehicle in four wheel drive and decided to baja to the
trailhead. It wasn't until I was basically at my destination
before I picked up the actual road to get there. Oh well, it was
kinda fun.
- I hit the trail, or creek in this case, shortly after 8:00 and could
see a lot of snow on the mountains to the west. The sun was no
where to be seen either as it was extremely overcast. The canyon
is relatively wide and the rock hopping was enjoyable. I would
recommend trekking poles if you have them. Anyway, about 1 mile up
the canyon, I started to get snowed on. Nothing too serious, but
enough to get the rocks wet and dampen my spirit a bit.
- I put on some more clothes and continued on. I didn't see the
south summit of Breitenbach all morning as it was shrouded in
clouds. After two hours of bushwacking, I made it two miles and
three thousand vertical feet. At 10,000', I thought I was doing
pretty good and actually felt as though I might be able to summit.
I stopped for a snack when in a matter a minutes it really started
snowing. I wouldn't exactly call it a white out, but it was white
enough for me to decide it was too white to go any farther.
- Of course hindsight is 20/20 and after making it back down the weather
appeared much better. Maybe if I had waited it out for 10 or 15
minutes I would have continued, but at that point in time as it was
snowing and I was getting colder, I made the call to turn back.
Again, if I hadn't been alone or the weather cooperated a little more, I
may have continued, but oh well.
- Maps:
- Click here to view a 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:
- I was a couple of miles into the hike at this point when the weather
deteriorated. This would have been a photo of the south summit
of Breitenbach had it been clear out.
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