Elevation: 9,701 ft
Prominence: 361
This peak is not in the book. Published December 2019
Peak 9701 is a rugged, rocky outcrop that barely qualifies as a ranked summit. The easiest ascent route is via Red Rock Creek and the northwest ridge. Its east ridge is an intimidating, rugged, knife-edged monster that is appealing to scramblers and goes at Class 3+. USGS Iron Creek Point
Southwest Ridge, Class 2
Access
Same as for the east ridge of Peak 9740. This climb is the final leg of a ridge traverse from Peak 9740 to Peak 9701.
The Climb
From the 9,340-foot saddle at the base of the southwest ridge, scramble up through easy scrub to reach the narrow, rocky summit area of Peak 9701. This ridgeline summit has a modest cairn atop the highest boulder.
East Ridge/East Face, Class 3+
Access
Same as for the southwest ridge. This is the final leg of a loop route that begins and ends along FSR-104.
The Descent
From the summit, follow the narrow east ridge through a tedious series of rocky outcrops and minor towers. At 9,400 feet, the ridge bends left-ish/northeast and you must navigate through an exposed ridge crest of rocky towers and blocks. At about 9,000 feet, the ridge melds into the forest, but not without a final steep descent requiring the down-climb of face rock/ledges, aretes, and minor gullies/chutes to reach the steep gravel in the forest.
The forest is a face descent because the ridge proper is now gone. Boot-ski down the loose gravel in the forest, aiming to reach the MC trail that crosses the east face just right/south of an open ridge/shoulder near Point 8393 that is visible even from within the forest. Descend east down a gully to the south of Point 8393. This gully leans right/southeast and brings you down to a more major gully. Follow an elk trail east across this gully and up onto a shoulder. From this shoulder, head southeast through mixed terrain to intercept Cabin Creek and the parking area alongside FSR-104. As you near Cabin Creek, find an old jeep road that heads down to FSR-104 and the parking area.
Additional Resources
Regions: EASTERN IDAHO->Lemhi Range
Mountain Range: Lemhi Range
First Ascent Information:
- Other First Ascent: East Ridge/East Face —Descent
- Year: 2019
- Season: Summer
- Party: Livingston Douglas
Longitude: -113.45839 Latitude: 44.41101