Find Nearby Peaks

This peak is not in the book. Published November 2023

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Peak 6179 is a rarely-climbed peak that is located southwest of Ellis on the west side of the Salmon River. It is most easily reached via its east ridge from an old bridge crossing of the Salmon River. This climb is entirely on BLM land. USGS Ellis

Access

From US-93 exactly 1.3 miles south of Ellis, head west on an unsigned BLM road (shown on the USGS topo map) that heads west for 0.3 miles down to the Salmon River and an old bridge crossing. Park in a parking area on the east side of the Salmon River at the bridge crossing. This parking area is at 4,680 feet.The old bridge is closed to motor vehicles but is open to foot/horse traffic. This is the first leg of a 2-peak adventure that includes Peak 6179 and Peak 7100. It covers 9.5 miles with 3,600 feet of elevation gain round trip.

East Ridge/North Face, Class 3

The Climb

From the parking area, walk across the old bridge to the west side of the Salmon River. Once across the bridge, leave the road (which heads right/north to a private ranch) and cross a dilapidated fence row. Bushwhack diagonally left/southwest (using a lateral cattle trail to assist initially) up through sagebrush to reach a ridge saddle southeast of Point 5235. Follow the easy, open ridge northwest to Point 5235. Given the steep, loose talus/scree on the east face of Point 5235, this is an easier route than a direct climb up over Point 5235.

From Point 5235, follow the weaving, undulating ridge crest west then southwest to approach the saddle between Peak 6179 and Point 6144. Scramble up the steep face of sagebrush and boulders to reach the saddle. I stayed close to the left/north-side cliffs on the ascent in a narrow gully but found a much easier dry gully (with a cattle trail) more in the center of the saddle on the descent. The latter option is not visible when ascending from the east.

Once on the gentle, grassy saddle, you have two options. You can either scramble directly south up the steep mix of sagebrush and boulders (Class 3) or head southwest to find a grassy ramp that is a gentler, less rocky route to the summit. I chose the former, more direct option. The summit of Peak 6179 showed no signs of previous ascent. I built a modest cairn on top.

North Face/West Gully, Class 3

The Descent

From the summit, descend the north face to the saddle between Peak 6179 and Point 6144. From the saddle, bushwhack west-southwest then west down a dry gully to reach a lower saddle at 5,780 feet. This is the connecting saddle between Peak 6179 and Peak 7100. It concludes the first leg of today’s 2-peak adventure. Peak 7100 is up next.