Peak 6570 (North Allison Ridge) by Livingston Douglas

Elevation: 6,570 ft
Prominence: 310

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This peak is not in the book. Published November 2019


Peak 6570 is on BLM land. However, it is surrounded by private land on both its north side (McKim Creek) and its south side (Allison Creek). But there is a way to thread this needle and get to the top without ever touching private land. That way is the northwest ridge via the base of McKim Creek Road. The summit is a gentle, narrow ridge crest and sits well back from the steep cliffs that guard its east face. Ridge outcrops and ledges, combined with steep/loose shale, make this a Class 3 endeavor. USGS Allison Creek

Northwest Ridge, Class 3

Access

McKim Creek Road/FSR-018 is located on the east side of US-93 exactly 9.8 miles north of Ellis, ID and 29.7 miles south of the Salmon-Challis National Forest Service Office in Salmon, ID. It is signed (with a BLM sign) and has a large parking pullout at its base. Park here (4,505 feet). Soon after this pullout, the road turns left/north and crosses a 1-mile swath of [posted] private land. Stay to the south or east of the road to remain on public land.

Note that the USGS topo map incorrectly positions McKim Creek Road on the north side of McKim Creek. The actual road leaves US-93 at a measured point (4,505 feet) about a mile south of McKim Creek. The National Forest map shows the road in its actual position. The road DOES eventually cross to the north side of McKim Creek but only after it goes for about a mile northward, crossing a shoulder on the way.

The Climb

The initial task is to somehow climb up onto the steep northwest ridge. The easiest way to do this is to scramble southeast up a steep, grassy shoulder to reach a gentle hump on the shoulder. Cattle trails will help get you here. From this minor hump, follow a faint 2-track jeep road south down to a flat, grassy saddle. From the saddle, climb an easy shoulder on the left/west side of a dry, grassy gully (which is also climb-able) until it dies out at the base of the west face of the northwest ridge.

Staying just left/west of obvious scree slopes, scramble up steep field grass (with a loose scree/gravel base) to reach the rocky northwest ridge. Follow the ridge crest southeast from here. Stay on or close to the ridge crest. You will find a game trail to help. Scramble up steep gravel, ledges, and rocky outcrops for a couple hundred feet. You will reach a flat, narrow ridge “finger” at 6,060 feet.

Continue climbing southeast up the ridge on less-steep terrain than early on. Scramble over, or skirt, Point 6330. The ridge bends left/east soon after this ridge point and reaches the final stretch of ridge leading up to the summit area. The USGS map shows two ridge points in this area but they are barely perceptible. The ridge here is grassy and open. You must pass over one more ridge hump, drop 15 vertical feet, then continue upward for another 0.2 miles to the summit high point.

There were no signs of previous ascent but since there is an old 2-track jeep road leading to the summit from the south (Allison Creek), ranchers and others have been here before. The summit offers beautiful views of the Salmon River and the [private] Allison Creek Ranch to the south.

Additional Resources

Mountain Range: Lemhi Range

First Ascent Information:

  • Other First Ascent: Northwest Ridge
  • Year: 2019
  • Season: Summer
  • Party: Livingston Douglas

Longitude: -113.97469   Latitude: 44.78839

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