Elevation: 8,718 ft
Prominence: 1,578
This peak is not in the book. Published July 2019
Johnson Benchmark is located on the Idaho/Montana border at the top of the Spring Creek drainage and due east of Blue Nose. USGS Shoup
Johnson Benchmark as viewed from Blue Nose.
Access
Access is via the Spring Creek Road, FS-038 which is accessed from North Fork, Idaho via the Salmon River Road, FS-30. Google Maps provides directions to this remote peak from North Fork, Idaho if you search for Blue Nose. FS-38 reaches the divide just east of the peak at 7955 feet. The driving route is long and steep. It will take nearly two hours to reach the border. Check with the Forest Service for current conditions.
South Ridge, Class 2
There is a parking area on the west side of the road. FST-106 leaves on the east side of the parking spot. In 2019, there was no sign for the trail but it was easy to find. Follow the trail uphill until you are just below peak’s south ridge. Leave the trail and climb the open slopes to summit. Round trip is 7.5 miles with 739 feet of elevation gain.
The slope above the trail leading to the summit.
My GPS track.
The summit of Johnson Benchmark.
Additional Resources
Regions: Bitterroot Mountains->NORTHERN IDAHO
Mountain Range: Bitterroot Mountains
Year Climbed: 2019
Longitude: -114.30029 Latitude: 45.47519
