Elevation: 8,473 ft
Prominence: 893
This peak is not in the book. Published November 2021
Peak 8473 is the high point on a massive ridgeline on the east side of US-93. It towers over Willow Creek Summit and its high point is at the southeast end of the ridge. The shortest ascent route is from Willow Creek Summit and the southwest face. This is the first leg of a 2-peak adventure that includes Peak 8473 and Peak 8435. The journey covers 8.5 miles with 2,500 feet of elevation gain round trip. USGS Dickey Peak
Peak 8473 as viewed from US-93 to its south. Livingston Douglas Photo
Southwest Face/Northwest Ridge, Class 2
The Climb
From [signed] Willow Creek Summit on US-93 south of Challis, scramble north-northeast straight up an easy grassy slope, angling left-ish to reach the most mahogany-free section of the southwest face. This mostly-open area of the southwest face has a few scattered mountain mahogany trees. Move left/northwest if you experience any issues with mountain mahogany to reach an open but STEEP grassy slope.
Once atop the southwest face, you are on the semi-open terrain of the northwest ridge. Scramble southeast along the ridge crest, avoiding the scattered mountain mahogany as necessary. There are a few minor ups and downs along the way. The summit of Peak 8473 has a decent cairn and a triangulation post laying on the ground nearby.
The southwest face as viewed from Willow Creek Summit. The ascent route climbs the [mostly-open] terrain left of center. The summit is in the upper right of the photo. Livingston Douglas Photo
Looking back down the northwest ridge from the summit. Livingston Douglas Photo
North Ridge, Class 2
The Descent
From the summit, descend an ATV trail on the crest of the north ridge down through a beautiful conifer forest and into open terrain/scrub all the way to a fence row. Leave the ATV trail here and follow the fence row right/northeast down to a 2-track road. Go right/southeast on the 2-track and follow it briefly to reach a small saddle at the head of a dry gully. This concludes the first leg of today’s 2-peak journey. Peak 8435 is up next.
Additional Resources
Regions: EASTERN IDAHO->Lost River Range->Pahsimeroi Range
Mountain Range: Lost River Range
Longitude: -113.95679 Latitude: 44.23379
