Elevation: 7,392 ft
Prominence: 72
This benchmark is not in the book. Published December 2019
Shale Benchmark is the only point on Deadline Ridge with a USGS benchmark on it. It is located 1-1/2 miles south of Timber Butte and two miles north of the high point of Deadline Ridge. It is a handsome, rocky, rounded hump with beautiful views of Timber Butte, the ridgeline, and the surrounding valleys. USGS Timber Butte
North Ridge, Class 2
Access
From the junction of FSR-500 and FSR-541/Deadline Ridge Road (about 1.3 miles south of the Magic Mountain Ski Area), go right/west onto FSR-541. At 0.2 miles, turn left/south at an unsigned “T” junction. At 5.8 miles, go straight/south at a junction with FSR-542/Winecup Creek Road. Continue south on FSR-541. At 7.5 miles, park in a pullout on a hilltop just south of the road junction with FSR-543. The elevation here is 7,090 feet. The road becomes rougher after this point.
The Climb
This is mostly a road hike with a short scramble up an easy scrub/gravel slope to the summit. Hike south on FSR-541/Deadline Ridge Road for a mile to reach Timber Butte. The road skirts the left/east side of Timber Butte and continues south along or near the ridge crest. Follow the road for another mile south. Leave the road at the base of the north ridge of Shale Benchmark where the road leaves the ridge crest to skirt the west side of it. Scramble about ½ mile south up the ridge to the summit. The terrain here is short scrub and goes quickly. The summit is a combination of short scrub and scattered ground boulders. The USGS benchmark is in a ground boulder on the high point.
South Ridge, Class 2
Access
Same as for the north ridge
The Descent
From the summit, descend the ridge directly south to intercept the Deadline Ridge Road. The terrain here is easy, short scrub and goes quickly.
Regions: South Hills->SOUTHERN IDAHO
Mountain Range: South Hills
Longitude: -114.295183 Latitude: 42.053533