Peak 9167 (Indian Head North) by Livingston Douglas

Elevation: 9,167 ft
Prominence: 307

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This peak is not in the book. As an alternative to the route listed below, climb this peak from Scott Canyon. Use the route for Scott Peak and detour to this summit once you reach its north side. Published November 2019


Peak 9167 is at the north end of a horseshoe-shaped ridge that connects it to Peak 10001 to the south. It has a wickedly-steep south face that descends to an unnamed side gully coming up from Scott Canyon. Peak 9167 barely qualifies as a ranked summit. It is most easily reached via old jeep tracks that lead to the saddle between it and Peak 10001. Descend the steep, forested west ridge of Peak 9167 to reach Scott Canyon with some excitement. USGS Scott Peak

East Ridge, Class 2

Access

Same as for the west shoulder/north ridge of Peak 10001. This climb is the final leg of a ridge traverse from Peak 10001.

The Climb

From the broad connecting saddle with Peak 10001, follow an old 2-track jeep road north to another saddle. Leave the road here and scramble west up a sagebrush slope to reach the ill-defined east ridge of Peak 9167. The ridge is better-defined at Point 9103 and becomes narrow and rocky on its crest. Stay to the right/north of the ridge crest on easy open scrub with scattered pines/blowdown to navigate. The summit is at the west end of a flattish ridge section. The high point is on the narrow, rocky ridgeline and has a decent cairn atop it.

West Ridge, Class 2+

Access

Same as for the east ridge. This is the final leg of a loop route that begins and ends at a side road along Scott Canyon Road at 7,509 feet.

The Descent

From the summit, follow the ridgeline westward through tedious pines/blowdown and brush to reach a steeper, denser pine forest. The forest bushwhack from here down to Scott Canyon is NOT FUN. It is very clogged with pine trees, pine bushes, brush, and blowdown. Weaving is mandatory. Lower down, the terrain opens up but is very steep and loose, with a gravel/dirt/duff base. There are even some sections of scree.

With the appropriate footwear, you can boot-ski down the final 600-800 vertical feet on the loose terrain. The forest is so dense that visibility is nil and you can’t be sure where you’ll pop out. I reached the canyon floor about 100-150 yards upstream from the end of Scott Canyon Road and the large trailhead parking area. If you err, go too far to the right/north rather than too far to the left/south where the forest/brush is thicker. Once you reach the canyon floor, follow a trail to reach the Scott Canyon trailhead parking area. From there, walk down the badly-rutted road to your vehicle on the side road at 7,509 feet.

Additional Resources

Mountain Range: Beaverhead Range

Longitude: -112.84849   Latitude: 44.32369

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