Good Views From Summit

 0.25 miles, 374 ft

Crater Mountain is a quick, but rewarding off-trail hike.  The summit has nice 360-degree views, including the Scapegoat Wilderness to the North.  Trailhead access is suitable for most vehicles so long as it isn’t too snowy.  This would also make a nice winter summit – with an additional 2.6 miles of skiing from Stemple Pass – much of which is along the “North Meadow Loop” ski trail.

Directions (From Stemple Pass – North of Helena):

Triangulation Point is a nice place for a couple of activators to set up 2 HF stations(where I set up). I didn't go all the way to where the equipment was. There was a sign warning of RF levels so I didn't go past it.

3.0 miles, 1,900 ft

Looking over the map for peaks in the Tillamook State Forest, it was noted that a named peak hadn’t been activated. “That’s odd,” I said to the sherpas, “it’s right in the middle of a bunch of other peaks that get somewhat regular attention. Something must be going on with that one.” We mapped out our route and decided it would be an excellent adventure on a beautiful weekend with a lot of the usual suspects activating nearby peaks.

To get to Wolf Peak:

Homer Youngs Peak is a great hike/scramble over mostly good trail.  The final ascent is in open terrain and somewhat arduous bouldering.  It is typical of high alpine in the area and the views, barring summer wildfire smoke can be tremendous.  Several alpine lakes are visible and other high summits that you’ll deem ‘gota get’.  A good base camp is at Miner Lake, a popular, but underutilized US Forest Service Campground with good facilities and a fine grayling lake fishery.

This is a delightful mile scenic hike to an active US Forest Service Lookout. The staff was very friendly and knew about ham radio. Views are spectacular unless you are there in the middle of an active fire season when smoke obscures the mountains. Getting there is over the better-maintained portion of the Magruder Corridor Road approximately 14 miles west of the Magruder Crossing.

It’s an experience traveling the Magruder Corridor road, part of a 100-mile narrow road. According to the US Forest Service brochure, the road constructed by the CCCs in 1930s has changed little over the decades. It shows, and the narrow rocky in places road is used heavily by snowmobiles in winter and 4-wheelers in summer. There are no services available along this route or the adjoining roads for 130 miles. The portion of the Magruder Corridor road approaching Burnt Knob from the east is narrow, but it is very scenic and at high elevation.

Getting to Sabe Mountain is an experience traveling the Magruder Corridor road, a 100-mile narrow road much of which is over 7500’, high for Northcentral Idaho roads.  The are no services (gas or other) available along this route and the adjoining roads for 130 miles.   According to the US Forest Service brochure, the road, constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1930s has changed little over the decades.  It shows. The narrow road is used heavily by snowmobiles in winter and 4-wheelers in summer. 

Mineral Peak is an inactive US Forest Service Lookout and active Communication site.  It sits near the boundary of the Rattlesnake Wilderness and Rattlesnake National Recreation areas.  Summits views are good of the Rattlesnake mountains and a couple of distant cirque lakes.  Access is via trail up the Rattlesnake Corridor, approximately 16.5 miles or via a poorly maintained high clearance rough road approximately 5 miles off the East Fork Rattlesnake and Gold Creek Roads.I parked and hiked the rough road.  An alternative is the Rattlesnake corridor route where one can m

This old US Forest Service Lookout has good trail access from the trailhead on the North Fork of the Blackfoot River.  The trailhead is a popular access point into the Scapegoat and Bob Marshall Wilderness Areas for kayakers in the spring, fly fishers, backpackers, stock users and fall season hunters.  The summit has spectacular views of much of the Scapegoat Wilderness and high summits within the Bob Marshall Wilderness Area.

Trail Miles:  4.5 one way

Elevation Gain:  3700’

Water:  No water is available along the trail.