Bull Trout Point

Elevation: 8,876 ft
Prominence: 1,570

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This peak is not in the book.


My failure to include Bull Trout Point in the book was a serious oversight. This peak is a big mountain with great access, located in the center of a seriously scenic landscape. Like nearby Copper Mountain, Bull Trout Point is a popular Winter ascent for backcountry skiers and snowshoers. It is a great Summer ascent via either its East or Southeast Ridges, both of which can be accessed from Bull Trout Lake Road that leaves ID-21 west of Stanley, Idaho.

From the top of the peak, you can see Red Mountain to the south, most of the Central Salmon River peaks to the west and northwest, Bruce Meadows, Bear Valley Mountain and Blue Bunch Mountain to the north, Capehorn Mountain and the Eastern Salmon River Mountains to the northeast, and the White Cloud Peaks and Sawtooth Range to the east and southeast. USGS Bull Trout Point

You can access both the east and southeast ridges from the well graded Bull Trout Lake Road. Both ridges are guarded by a large shallow lake which is gradually turning to Meadow. So pick your route to avoid the wet ground. This show shows the peak from the eastern side of the the lake. We traversed around the lake on its north side. If you start from the vicinity of Bull Trout Lake you will pass this lake on its west side.

You can access both the East and Southeast Ridges from the well-graded Bull Trout Lake Road. Both ridges are guarded by a large, shallow lake which is gradually turning to meadow. So pick your route to avoid the wet ground. This photo shows the peak from the East Side of the lake. We traversed around the lake on its North Side. If you start from the vicinity of Bull Trout Lake, you will pass this lake on its West Side.

On June 19th, 2015 the wildflowers on the east ridge were in full bloom.

Wildflowers on the East Ridge (6/19/15).

Looking down the east ridge from roughly 7,800 feet. Bull Trout Lake is on the right and the lake turning into a meadow is in the center.

Looking down the East Ridge from roughly 7,800 feet. Bull Trout Lake is on the right. The lake turning into a meadow is in the center.

Around 8,000 feet the east ridge narrows. This photo shows an unnamed lake nestled into the ridge's north side.

At about 8,000 feet, the East Ridge narrows. This photo shows an unnamed lake nestled into the ridge’s North Side.

As the ridge narrows down you will discover it's still a long way to the summit. Fortunately, there is only minimal up and down along the way and the obstacles you encounter can all be easily passed on the ridge's southern slopes.

As the ridge narrows, you discover it’s still a long way to the summit. Fortunately, there is only minimal up and down along the way and the obstacles you encounter are easily bypassed on the ridge’s South Slopes.

This is the second unnamed lake nested along the north side of the east ridge.

This is the second unnamed lake nested along the North Side of the East Ridge.

The top of the east ridge is quintessential central and eastern Salmon River Mountain terrain which offers views and good walking.

The top of the East Ridge is quintessential Central and Eastern Salmon River Mountain terrain which offers views and good walking.

The summit will come into view after you cross a point designated as Mains Ridge. It's roughly 0.5 miles away at this point.

The summit comes into view after you cross a point designated as Mains Ridge. It’s roughly 0.25 miles away at this point.

The summit register left by Jon Fredland in 2010. Bull Trout Point was his 2,000th summit. Congratulations to John.

The summit register left by Jon Fredland in 2010. Bull Trout Point was his 2,000th summit. Congratulations to Jon.

See the the trip reports linked below for details on Winter ascents.

Mountain Range: Central Salmon River Mountains

Year Climbed: 2015

Longitude: -115.28779   Latitude: 44.32979

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