Elevation: 8,033 ft
Prominence: 1,932
Climbing and access information for this peak is on Page 361 of the book. However, the information is dated and should be ignored. Access to this peak is problematic due to private property issues. As a result, the crux of reaching this summit will be finding your way to the BLM land.
Livingston Douglas met with the Pocatello office of the BLM to clarify access routes leading to the peak. I strongly advise you to read his report located at the following link before attempting the route set out below: Petticoat Peak Access 2019
Updated November 2019
Petticoat Peak (8,032 feet) is located northeast of Lava Hot Springs and is the highest point in the Fish Creek extent of the Portneuf Range. The peak is located on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land and has 1,932 feet of prominence, dominating this small mountain range. The west ridge/west face and southeast ridge are rugged, choppy, and thickly forested with rocky outcrops. However, it is the north ridge that is the most accessible and easiest route to the summit. In addition to this update, use the link below to read Rick Baugher’s trip report. USGS Bancroft
Petticoat Peak as viewed from the west. Tom Lopez Photo
Route to the summit of Petticoat Peak. Note the compass at upper right of track for “north.” Margo Mandella GPS Track
Access
North Ridge Approach. From Lava Hot Springs, take US-30 east. Continue on US-30 as the highway climbs over Fish Creek Pass. Descend from the pass and, at the base of the pass, turn left/north onto Lund Road (following signs to Bancroft). Follow Lund Road to Mill Creek Road, passing Rindlishbaker Canyon. Continue north on Lund Road until you reach Mill Creek Road. Turn left/west and follow Mill Creek Road into the canyon, staying right at the fork you encounter. Take the Mill Creek Road all the way to the BLM boundary where you’ll find parking spots and a kiosk at the trailhead.
Closed Access
In 2018, Livingston Douglas encountered private land/no trespassing signage trying to access the peak from Hadley Canyon Road. He also found impassible 8 to 10-foot deer fencing along, and well past, the base of the entire southeast ridge, as you would access it from US-30 in the vicinity of Fish Creek Pass.
North Ridge Route, Class 2
Follow the trail out of the kiosk area (south) as it parallels the base of the north ridge. Towards the end of the canyon, the trail heads up to the ridge. You may have to bushwhack to the ridge. This canyon is well-vegetated and can be really muddy in the early season. Thus the trail may be overgrown and difficult to find at times. When you reach the top of the ridge, continue south to the obvious summit. Here, hopefully, you will still find the milk can summit register.
The rusty milk can atop Petticoat Peak. Steve Mandella Photo
Additional Resources
