Washington County High Point Trip Report
Cuddy Mountain
Date: October 21, 2001
Author: Zach Vickery
Cuddy Mountain is a commanding mountain easily visible from surrounding valleys. Not surprisingly, it is
one of Idaho's 50 finest. It is also the highpoint of the Cuddy Mountain Range.
We climbed via a well-maintained trail following East Brownlee Creek. Coming from Cambridge, ID, take
SR 71 north about 15 scenic miles along Pine Creek. On the right, there will be a signed turnoff for the
Brownlee Creek Campground (Payette National Forest). Take this turnoff - it will reach the campground in
just over one mile, and continue on to the trailhead. About 1/2 mile past the campground, you will reach an
unmarked fork - you'll want to stay left. About 1/4 mile later there will be a marked trailhead and some parking.
This is the start of the hike.
The hike is about 3.75 miles and 3000 feet in elevation gain. Starting from the trailhead, the trail climbs
briskly up the East Brownlee Creek, eventually reaching a signed pass right below Cuddy Point. From this
pass, start heading south towards Cuddy Mountain. After hiking below the ridge for awhile, you will gain
the ridge at a junction with a 4WD road. I believe this is called the "Council-Cuprum Road". From here,
you can simply follow the road right below Cuddy Mountain, then cross-country the last 20 feet of elevation gain.
Cuddy Mountain has a very flat summit, crowned by a cairn and benchmark. A summit register was in a
aluminum can replete with shredded edges - we replaced the container with a nice, innocuous plastic bag.
At the summit, you are enveloped in a cavalcade of surrounding mountain ranges - in particular the Seven
Devils, Wallowa, Hitt and West Mountains. Brownlee Reservior on the Snake River is also visible. A very
enjoyable fall highpoint.