Elevation: 7,834 ft
Prominence: 394
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This peak is not in the book. Margo Mandella and Livingston Douglas contributed to my original page. Updated January 2023
Peak 7834 is located on the southeast side of the Big Hole Mountains. It is the first peak west of Pine Creek Pass and ID-31. It is a good destination for cross-country skiing during stable snow conditions and is an easy walk in Summer. USGS Fourth of July Peak
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Peak 7834 (forested in mid-ground) as viewed from Squirrel Mountain to the north. Livingston Douglas Photo
Updates and Northeast Face Route by Livingston Douglas
Drake Creek Road/FSR-548 is located just west of Victor at a sharp bend in ID-31. It is signed as W9000S Road and is located along ID-31 exactly 3.1 miles east of Pine Creek Pass and 17.0 miles east of Swan Valley. Turn west onto Drake Creek Road and drive 1.3 miles (go straight at a junction at 0.6 miles) to reach the small parking area at the trailhead for the Drake Creek Trail/FST-238. Park here (6,440 feet).
Map Errors
First, the USGS map shows two trails coming up from Drake Creek Road to the main ridge crest. However, the east shoulder trail (the northern of the two trails) no longer exists. Drake Creek Trail/FST-238 follows the southern of the two trails shown on the USGS topo map. Second, the USGS map fails to show FST-230 heading south on (or near) the ridge crest from FST-238. There is a trail (official or not) that runs from FST-238 all the way south to Pine Creek Pass. It is not shown on the USGS map.
Northeast Face, Class 2
The Climb
From the trailhead, hike west up the gradual then steep Drake Creek Trail for 1.5 miles to the main north-south ridge crest that connects Squirrel Mountain to Pine Creek Pass. There is a “T” junction here with FST-230 which heads south and FST-217 which heads north. Go north on FST-217 for 0.2 miles to where the trail crosses the [obvious] southeast ridge of Peak 7834. Leave the trail and scramble northwest up the open ridge of short scrub and broken scree to the summit. The summit is 80 vertical feet above the trail. It has a decent cairn.
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Peak 7834 (center in mid-ground) as viewed from atop Peak 7906 to its northwest. Livingston Douglas Photo
East Approach (Drake Creek), Class 1-2
From Victor, Idaho, travel west on ID-31 to W 9000 South. Turn on W 9000 South and continue westward until you can travel no farther and park.
Use FS-548 and hike westward as it turns into FS-238 until you reach the Big Hole Crest Trail/FS-217. Turn north and follow the trail to the top of the next hill. Here, you will see a short trail to the west that takes you to the cairn for the summit of Peak 7834.
Steve and Margo Mandella did this peak as part of a 3-peak loop. Read about their trip and view their GPS track on the Squirrel Mountain page.
Pine Creek Summit Route, Class 2
Access this route from ID-31 at Pine Creek Pass. There is a large parking lot on the east side of the highway. A good but unsigned trail leaves the pass on the west side of the highway. This trail connects with other trails that run nearly to the summit of Peak 7800 and then drops down to the saddle between Peak 7800 and Peak 7834.
Follow the trail to the saddle and then up to the peak’s southeast ridge. At the point where the trail crosses the ridge, you will find a good use trail that quickly leads to the summit. The ascent over Peak 7800 gained roughly 1,200 feet in 1.9 miles one-way. The trail was in good shape the entire distance (July 2017).
Additional Resources
Mountain Range: Big Hole and Snake River Mountains
Year Climbed: 1979
Longitude: -111.22389 Latitude: 43.5901