Elevation: 8,420 ft
Prominence: 320
This peak is not in the book. Published August 2019
Peak 8420 is located on a ridge that runs from Elk Summit to Pilot Peak. It is between Peak 8498 and Peak 8722. Peak 8420 has an impressive 600+ foot East Face. USGS Wolf Fang Peak
Peak 8420 as viewed from Peak 8722.
Access
Primary access for this peak is from the road that runs between Yellow Pine and Warren: FS-340 [(B)(3.2) on Page 137]. FS-341 leaves FS-340 3.5 miles west of Elk Summit and runs to Pilot Peak in 5.1 miles. While this peak can be climbed from any spot along FS-341 or from the access road for Peak 9101, the West Ridge is probably the most efficient route to the summit. Follow FS-341 toward Pilot Peak until you reach a parking spot under Point 8314 and southwest of Peak 8420. This is one of the few wide spots on this narrow road. If you reach the Rattlesnake Mountain trailhead, you have gone too far. The road is steep in places but is no rougher than FS-340.
Traveling through this area of the Salmon River Mountains requires a high-clearance vehicle with good tires at a minimum. These roads traverse burned areas and there is a high probability of encountering downed trees on the road. Taking a chainsaw is not a bad idea.
Southwest Ridge, Class 2
From the parking spot, angle up toward the saddle between Point 8314 and Peak 8420. Once at the saddle, climb up the peak’s Southwest Ridge to the rocky summit. Downed trees are the only obstacle you will encounter. As shown on the map below, we continued on to Peak 8722.
My GPS track for Peak 8420 and Peak 8722.
The summit of Peak 8420.
Additional Resources
Regions: Big Creek to Red Ridge Peaks->Central Salmon River Mountains->Salmon River Mountains->WESTERN IDAHO
Mountain Range: Central Salmon River Mountains
Year Climbed: 2019
Longitude: -115.44749 Latitude: 45.17329