Ramblings: Climbing Saddle Mountain, Lemhi Range, Idaho

Saddle Mountain, Lemhi Range, Idaho

Hiking Saddle Mountain is a "superior accomplishment" according to Tom Lopez, author of Idaho, a Climbing Guide: Climbs, Scrambles, and Hikes. There is just no easy way to the top. In this post, I detail three possible routes that all lead to the summit.

Deer Canyon

My first attempt was to approach the peak from Deer Canyon on the east side of the mountain. To get there drive northwest on highway 28 towards Salmon. Turn off on a gravel road marked with a small sign identifying Bartel Canyon. Follow the road for some distance until you reach the foothills of Bartel Canyon and then turn left to access the southern canyons. The roads leading into the Lemhis are rough. (Good tires and four wheel drive give peace of mind. I travel in a Subaru Forester with Yokohama Geolander tires. I opted for solid all terrain tires after getting two flats high up in Skull Canyon earlier in the summer.)

I drove as far as my Subaru would take me and began traversing the northern slope toward the peak. My mistake was going to far into the canyon before trying to reach the north ridge. I found myself entangled in cliffs. I would skirt or climb a passable cliff only to be confronted by more daunting barriers. After dropping my water bottle over a cliff, I called it day and retreated back down the canyon. My experience taught me that an attempt on Saddle from Deer Canyon requires a quick ascent of the north ridge. After attaining the ridge, it should be a simple matter to follow it to the summit. See the below photo.

Saddle Mountain via Cedar Canyon and Deer Canyon
Cedar is on the left, Deer in on the right

Cedar Canyon

The next attempt, a month later, began in Cedar Canyon located south of Deer Canyon. As Ben and I approached the southeastern canyons, a storm was brewing over the Lemhis. We soon found ourselves in a downpour. I snapped a few photos just before we entered the storm. We parked at the entrance to Deer Canyon and rolled out our bags in the back of the Forester. Lightening in the mountains and heavy rain made the back of the car a cozy place to sleep.

Approach to Saddle Mountain From Highway 28

Looking North Towards the Birch Creek Valley

In the morning the sky was clear as we drove to Cedar Canyon. After driving into the canyon, we followed the road until it split and turned off on the left fork and drove to the end. Once at the end of the road, Ben and I begin hiking up the hill on the north. Traverse the slope until you make the ridge. Then follow it to the Lemhi Crest. Once the crest is gained, follow the ridge to the right . See the first photo for a suggested route out of the canyon. Below is a topo map of the basic route.

Saddle Mountain From Cedar Canyon

Hiking Through Cedar Canyon

Not long into the hike, we were surrounded by heavy fog. Clouds clung to the eastern slopes of the Lemhis most of the time we hiked. We could not see to too far ahead and only knew we had to climb.

Hiking Through the Fog
Notice the bird lower center

Taking a Break

Bear Track?

We came out of the clouds only when we reached the crest. Turning right, we hiked the ridge toward the summit.

Lemhi Crest Looking Southwest into East Canyon

Hiking the Crest Toward Saddle Mountain

Saddle Mountain Comes into View

Saddle Mountain, Lemhi Range, Idaho

Saddle Mountain has two summits. the eastern peak on the right is the highest point This peak has a bona fide cairn, register, and large wood cross. From some vantages the left peak appears taller. I just think this has to do with perspective.

On Top of Saddle Mountain

Looking South From Saddle Mountain Summit

Looking North From Saddle Mountain Summit
Tyler Peak is in the Distance

Looking East into Deer Canyon

Looking South Down the Gully of Saddle Mountain

The Ridge to Saddle Mountain

Descending the Ridge of Saddle Mountain

Middle Canyon

The last route I explored was up Middle Canyon. To get to this canyon, drive past the toe of the Lemhis toward Howe. Nearing Howe, look north to see Three major canyons leading up to Saddle Mountain. The Canyon on the west is Black Canyon. The one on the east is East Canyon and of course the middle one is Middle Canyon. A good map will show several dirt roads crisscrossing the desert. Find the road that eventually leads to Middle Canyon. The Canyon is about 2 to 3 miles long with it's own unique climate niche. Walking in from the hot desert you find a place of lush firs, ferns, and wild raspberries. When I walked out of the canyon around 5:00 pm, it was like walking out of an air conditioned room into the desert heat. There is a decent trail leading into the canyon that is more difficult to follow the deeper you go. Incedible rock formations flank the trail on both sides. Eventually, a sheer canyon wall several hundred feet high, on the left, follows the canyon to the end. The canyon is difficult to photograph. It is often narrow and the walls are high. I made a few photos of an interesting "shelter" on the west side of the canyon. I know prehistoric people inhabited this area. In fact, Jack Knife cave in East Canyon, the canyon just to the east, contains prehistoric art. This shelter is made under a rock overhang in the canyon wall pictured below.

Both times I have hiked Middle Canyon, I found remains of deer carcasses. The canyon seems like a perfect place for mountain lions. I also found several pieces of horn coral in the limestone rocks in the talus found in the upper slopes of the canyon and on the steep slopes at the end of the canyon. The cross section of horn coral below was found around 8,500 feet.

Horn Coral, Middle Canyon, 8,500 Feet

At the end of the canyon a steep scramble leads to the ridge and summit of Saddle Mountain. Be sure to veer left at the end of the canyon. It may seem counter intuitive to go left and not right towards the summit. I learned the hard way heading right leads to many insurmountable cliffs. by veering slightly to the left and then curving right near the top of ridge, you avoid the cliffs! Once on top, head northeast to come to the ridge leading to the summit. See below. Don't be intimidated by the view of the ridge. From this angle, the view is foreshortened and daunting. Skirt the ridge to the left and you will find a fairly easy climb to the top.

Detail Upper Ridge from the False Summit to Saddle Mountain Peak

Upper Ridge and Saddle Mountain Summit

From this angle, the peak on the left appears to be taller. I think this is a function of a wide angle lens. Objects closer to the camera appear larger while objects farther from the camera appear to recede into space.

Along the base of the ridge cliffs one can find a variety of fossils. I will post photographs of the many fossils and rocks collected along the way in a few days. Look for the post titled Saddle Mountain Fossils and Rocks. I did, however, photograph several spectacular groupings of horn coral along the way and will end this post with these shots.