Boundary County Highpoint Trip Report

Date: June 30, 2006
Author: Adam Helman

This effort was part of a larger journey collecting Idaho, Montana, and Washington county highpoints in late June and early July 2006.

One may avoid regaining the summit of point 7,680+, on return from the county highpoint, by sidehilling east-northeast from just above the unnamed 7709 to 7,680+ saddle directly to the 7,400 foot level of the Fisher Peak trail where you presumably left it in favor of the county highpoint. In so doing you at-once
1) avoid some bad brush as stunted, windblown trees along the ridge proper;
2) avoid some 200 feet of elevation gain.

The only dicey portion of the ascent occurs just west of the aforementioned saddle as one climbs to unnamed 7709. Boulders must be negotiated - high Class 2 if your route is well chosen.

Far lower, I crossed the creek noted in Ken Jones' report at 4,900 feet when the water flow was very high. That creek crossing could easily put an end to one's highpoint bid.

The trail is difficult to follow within the the clear cut from 5,600 to 5,800 feet. A few cairns are placed at the high-end of this area.

Elasped time "up" was 2 hours 45 minutes - including exactly 2 hours for reaching the 7,400 foot point of departure from the trail. Elapsed time "down" was 2 hours 15 minutes.