Latah County High Point Trip Report
Date: June 2000
Author: Barney Metz
My brother-in-law and I were the first to reach the summit since snowmobiles had made the trek. The
peak is at 5334 feet. There is a lookout tower at the top and either some communication or electrical
equipment for the Clearwater Power Company. There is also a snowhut that snowmobilers use during the
snowmobile season. There is even a little outhouse for the overnight stays during the winter. I am not
sure if this lookout is available for rent as many other ones here in the area are. I am a big fan of Tom
Lopez's "Exploring Idaho's Mountains." His access is accurate although not complete. I will give
everybody their options. Since this climb in June, I have climbed to the top 4 more times, using the same
and 2 different routes. It is important to realize that most highpoints in Northern Idaho are easy drives.
The central portion of the state provides true hiking, while the northern ones normally can be driven or
ride on motocross or ATV.
Here are the three routes, all of which I have done in the month of June 2000. The land and all access is
National Forest Service. This area is a popular ORV use area and if you are there on a weekend, you can
expect to hear and see many ORVs.
Route #1
This is the easiest and quickest route. If you are wanting a nice peaceful drive and an easy COHP, this is
the route you may want to choose. Most anyone accessing the region will have to come in on US-95.
You need to go to the town of Potlatch, ID. From there you will head East on State Highway 6. You will
pass through the towns of Princeton and Harvard and drive past the turnoff for the Giant White Pines
Campground. Continue on ID-6 until you reach the summit of the North-South Pass. Turn right heading
east on Forest Service Road #377. There will be a sign for Bald Mountain and for the North South ski
area (this has been closed for quite a few years now). You will travel this dirt road until you come to the
sign stating Bald Mountain Look-Out. You will turn right and head back SW along the north face of the
Bald Mountain. I believe it is a mile to the top from the turnoff. You can definitely drive this in a truck
and most likely in a car. Very well maintained road and the small water bars are the only items of
clearance.
Route #2
This is another nice drive, but involves more driving off paved roads. You will proceed on ID-6 through
the town of Princeton and Harvard and before you reach the turnoff for the Idaho White Pines
Campground. You will see a turn off for Laird Park and for the Boy Scout Camp, Camp Grizzly Harvard.
Turn right on this road and head east. You will go past the Forest Service Campground of Laird Park.
This road you are traveling on is Forest Service Road 447. After the campground you will come to a four
road intersection. There will be a road before the bridge heading to the left and a "T" intersection
immediately after the bridge. You want to cross the small bridge and turn left. You will travel this road
for less than ten miles and come to another intersection, stay to the left there also. You will travel this
section of 447 and come to another intersection, do not cross the bridge, stay on the forest service road to
the left. The road number is 767. You will proceed up this road for approximately 4 miles and come to
another intersection. You will want to go to the right here. This road will begin climbing out of the
valley and you will come to another four way intersection. You need to take a left here and head west this
will be Forest Service Road #377. You will come to the turnoff road for Bald Mountain Look-Out and you
will take that left and proceed.
Route #3
You will proceed on ID-6 through the town of Princeton and Harvard and before you reach the turnoff for
the Idaho White Pines Campground. You will see a turn off for Laird Park and for the Boy Scout Camp,
Camp Grizzly Harvard. Turn right on this road and head east. You will go past the Forest Service
Campground of Laird Park. This road you are traveling on is Forest Service Road 447. After the
campground you will come to a four road intersection. There will be a road before the bridge heading to
the left and a "T" intersection immediately after the bridge. You want to cross the small bridge and turn
left. You will travel this road for less than ten miles and come to another intersection, stay to the left
there also. You will travel this section of 447 and come to another intersection, do not cross the bridge.
Here there is a side ATV trail next to road 767. Stay on this road until you come to California Gulch, you will
follow a series of trails until you come to the saddle between Little Bald Mountain and Bald
Mountain. If you are not willing to be adventurous, then this is not the route to follow, by experience
there are many cross trails and it took us a while to make it to the summit. It is hard to discern which is
the trail to take. Once you reach the saddle between Little Bald Mountain and Bald Mountain then there
is one discernible trail to the summit. From the saddle, you will take Forest Trail #319 for a short couple
of miles to the summit.