Finding America: Sawtooth Scrambles
Idaho: Scrambles in the Sawtooth Range
Notch with a view. On Alpine Peak along the summit ridge
August 2023
Scrambles: Sierra Club Definition
Going off trail requires more planning and research, especially solo. Much of what I wanted to explore was Class 2 Scrambles and hopefully no more than short sections of Class 3. However, being in an alpine environment it’s not always easy to know when you are crossing a line of harder terrain. From my climbing background I learned it’s important to know how to reverse moves and make the decision to retreat or reassess the climb. That being said, the overall risk is considerably lower than it might sound. Like anything, paying attention and looking at the big picture, such as weather, time of day, water sources, backup maps/info, etc. can keep things “under 50”.
I had been in this area a few years back to do an amazing backpacking loop: Alice Lake, Twin Lake, Edith Lake Loop Even with mosquitos and the amount of people due to it’s popularity, I highly recommend this trip!
2 Great resourches/apps for off trail travel: SummitPost.org and Peakbagger. I also use Gaia, Alltrails and Hiking Project.
This time: Scrambles!
A herd of Elk could be seen and heard briefly off to my right as I headed up the Iron Creek Trail.
After finding a few boondocking sites in Stanley, Idaho, I spent time looking for some fun scrambles nearby. A ranger at the nearby station gave me a few ideas of peaks and what to expect. Alpine Peak had the mix I was looking for and the scenery was just amazing.
After several days of waiting out afternoon storm forecasts, I finally got up early and drove to the trailhead to start at sunrise.
The North end of Sawtooth Lake
A small lake just of Sawtooth Lake where the off trail hike began towards Alpine Peak
About halfway up to the ridge, a look back down towards Sawtooth Lake
The main scree field above that lead to the summit ridgeline. Scree? an accumulation of loose stones or rocky debris lying on a slope or at the base of a hill or cliff: TALUS
Once on the ridge line the trail became more obvious. This is a look back at the large scree field. I came up just to the left thinking it would be a better route up. In hindsight up and down this scree, although loose would be the most efficient way up and down to and from the ridge.
Summit view south with Sawtooth Lake on the right
Ridgeline peek to the west.
After a day or two rest, I found another project that shared the same trail I used to Alpine Peak and would be just west of there. This hike/scramble was a bit more mellow, but offered more outstanding views. There was a large boulder field near the lake that required occasional hands, but nothing too crazy.
Goat Lake
A steep shoreline trail led to the end of the lake avoiding the crowds
Finally, this scramble would prove to be a much more challenging project with a huge, steep scree field that would be almost taking one step up, sliding two steps down. It would have an exposed traverse finish to reach the summit.
I left by headlamp and ended up bushwacking in circles for an hour or so try to get a reading and avoiding the confusing stream crossings at the start. I finally found the trail that led to a saddle where I would follow a GPS track to the peak.
Poles were a huge help. Researching this peak I came across someone mentioning snow microspikes for better traction on the sand an scree. They helped!
A footprint left by a small seasonal pond
A view along the large scree field
Finally reaching the summit cap. This was supposed to be a class 3 traverse for about 50 feet to the summit. It was hard to follow and could easily put you on harder terrain. It seemed like class 3, especially with loose sand and exposure on the traverse. After up and down on a few sections, I dropped a waypoint with my GPS, which was just shy of the actual summit. In hindsight, the summit would have been an easier finish, but looked deceptively lower than where I actually stopped.
Looking back towards the small lake where I began my scree climb.
Now for some scree skiing back down!