Elevation: 9,469 ft
Prominence: 369
This peak is not in the book. Published November 2019
Peak 9469 is a bump on the horseshoe-shaped ridge that leads to the summit of Peak 10201/Eidelman Peak. It is a ranked summit and it stands guard over the mouth of Eidelman Canyon. Eidelman Canyon is a dry canyon most of the year. However, it does have its share of elk. I found a shed elk antler in a pine tree (about four feet off the ground) in the dense pine forest on the west ridge. USGS Italian Canyon
Southwest Ridge, Class 2
Access
From the junction of ID-28 and ID-33 in Mud Lake, drive north on ID-28 for 42.5 miles to [signed] Nicholia Road. Nicholia Road is located 6.1 miles north of the Kaufman Picnic Area on ID-28. Turn right/north-northeast onto Nicholia Road and drive 3.1 miles to an unsigned junction with a dirt road that runs south at the base of the mountains. Drive 0.9 miles south on the dirt road. Go left/east at an unsigned junction and drive 0.6 miles to the mouth of Eidelman Canyon. Park here (7,180 feet).
The Climb
The toe of the southwest ridge is at the mouth of Eidelman Canyon. From the small parking area, scramble east across a short, flat patch of tall sagebrush (with gaps for weaving). Climb up easy, short scrub/grass with a broken rock/gravel base to reach an old mine at a ridge point. There is a large post here. Continue east then east-northeast up the open ridge crest to Point 8843–a forested, rocky point. Skirt the left/west side of the rocky ridge outcrops located here. The ridge turns left/north and drops to a small saddle.
From the saddle, the ridge is much more rounded and bends right/northeast to reach the narrow summit cap. Bushwhack up through a somewhat tedious pine forest with a fair amount of large deadfall to navigate. After 600 vertical feet of climbing from the saddle, you reach the west end of a rocky, narrow (almost knife-edged) summit ridge crest. Scramble across the top of the flat summit blocks then skirt the left/north side of sharper fins/protrusions to reach the open, east end of the ridge crest and the high point. There is a decent cairn atop the summit, thanks to my hard work.
West Ridge, Class 3
Access
Same as for the southwest ridge
The Descent
If you climbed the rather docile southwest ridge, have some excitement on the descent by scrambling down the steep, forested west ridge. From the summit, return back to the west end of the summit ridge crest. The thick pine forest here destroys any hopes of visuals of the west ridge. Descend west to find the elusive upper section of the ridge. You soon reach a Class 3 headwall. Move to the right/north and descend ledges in a minor gully to reach the base of the headwall. This requires about 25 feet of down-climbing.
From the base of the headwall (which provides a good visual of the terrain ahead), descend steep talus/scree slopes and enter the forest. Continue west and straight downhill through the dense pine forest. The forest bushwhack includes copious amounts of blowdown as well as some patches of scree. There is brush and sage in open areas. The ridge morphs into a face and then back into a ridge lower down. Just keep heading due west and you’ll be fine. Move left/south as necessary to find some open terrain, but be careful to not get lured southwest by a spur ridge. It ends with impossible cliff bands.
After a final section of steep, fast descent through the forest, you emerge in a large open field. Descend this easy grass, keeping the forest’s edge just to your right/north. Aim to reach an obvious rocky buttress at the base of the west ridge. You will find an old mine (and old mining road) here. Hike right/north down the old road to quickly reach the floor of Eidelman Canyon. Follow the Eidelman Canyon jeep road southwest down the canyon to reach your parked vehicle at the mouth of the canyon.
Additional Resources
Regions: Beaverhead Range->EASTERN IDAHO
Mountain Range: Beaverhead Range
First Ascent Information:
- Other First Ascent: West Ridge —Descent
- Year: 2019
- Season: Summer
- Party: Livingston Douglas
Longitude: 112.94469 Latitude: 44.35319