Elevation: 9,740 ft
Prominence: 520
This peak is not in the book. Published December 2019
Peak 9740 is at the south end of a long ridge line that begins at Peak 10055 to the north. This ridgeline is just east of Flatiron Mountain (north) and Iron Creek Point (south). Peak 9740 is a triple-humped summit with the southernmost of the three humps as the high point. The easiest ascent route is from FST-078 and the southwest ridge. USGS Iron Creek Point
East Ridge, Class 2+
Access
Sawmill Canyon Road/FSR-101 is located 36.6 miles north of Howe on the Little Lost River Highway. Turn right/east onto [signed] Sawmill Canyon Road at a fork in the highway. At 6.7 miles, reach the Challis National Forest boundary. At 13.2 miles, turn left/west onto FSR-105 (near the Timber Creek Campground). Reset your odometer here. At 1.0 miles, go left/west onto FSR-104. At 1.2 miles, go straight on FSR-104 at an unsigned junction. At 1.2 miles, reach the end of the road for vehicles. The road crosses Cabin Creek just before reaching its end. Park here (7,890 feet). This is the trailhead for FST-4109 (an ATV trail).
The Climb
From the parking area at the end of FSR-104, hike south then east up FST-4109 for about ½ mile to a saddle just southwest of Point 8082. The trail crosses the northeast ridge of Peak 9740 here. Leave the trail and bushwhack southwest up the ridge through dense pine forest to a ridge point (8120+). Descend 65 vertical feet west to a minor saddle and continue west then southwest up the ridge. There is quite a bit of downed timber in this forest and even an area of woodcutting early on. Follow a good elk trail on the left/south side of the ridge for a while.
Higher up, the ridge narrows considerably and becomes rocky. There are endless minor ups and downs in this section in combination with loose scree, rocky outcrops, rocky rock ledges, and aretes. This is a most unpleasant section to scramble. Reach the summit ridge at open Point 9627 and breathe a sigh of relief. It’s only ½ mile south to reach the summit. Follow the ridge southwest from Point 9627 to a minor saddle then up over another ridge point, down to a final saddle, and finally up to the true summit. The ridge terrain is a combination of scattered pines and scree and goes quickly. The summit has a modest cairn on top of the highest boulder.
North Ridge, Class 2
Access
Same as for the east ridge
The Descent
From the summit, follow the ridge north then northeast to return to Point 9627. Descend northwest to a small saddle. Continue north along the ridge, over two ridge humps (including Point 9482), and down to a saddle at the base of the southwest ridge of Peak 9701. This 9,340-foot saddle is the terminus of the north ridge of Peak 9740. The two ridge humps are gentle and an elk trail on the left/west side of the ridge crest helps expedite this ridge traverse.
Additional Resources
Regions: EASTERN IDAHO->Lemhi Range
Mountain Range: Lemhi Range
Longitude: -113.46419 Latitude: 44.39359