Good Parking At Trailhead

2.8 miles, +1,200, -830 ft from Edith-Baldy saddle

4.8 miles, +2,600, -830 ft from TH

(2 miles, +1,400 ft)

Edith & Baldy are the two most prominent summits in the Big Belt Mountains west of Townsend.  There are some backcountry lakes north of the summits that are nice camping/fishing destinations.  The two summits can be done as a double, but Baldy is probably easier from Duck Creek Pass to the north.  The ridge between the two includes some boulder fields that, while not too difficult, make the traverse somewhat slow.

Take Hwy-12 West from Townsend for 14.8 miles

7.8 miles, +3,800 ft, -860 ft (From Silvertip TH)

2.9 miles, +1,500 ft, -260 ft (From Trilobite Lakes); 21.4 mile approach from Silvertip TH via Switchback Pass

2.2 miles, +1,180 ft, -380 ft (From Dean Lake); 16.9 mile approach from Silvertip TH

0.5 miles, +580 ft (From Switchback Pass); 15.4 mile approach from Silvertip TH

Kevan Mountain is located on the Continental Divide and forms the northern bulwark of the North Wall in center of the Bob Marshall Wilderness.  There is good camping at the Pentagon guard station, Dean Lake, Lake Levale, and in the valley to the north of Dean Lake.

1.7 miles, +1,260 ft, -160 ft (From Lake Levale); 18.8 mile approach from Silvertip TH

On November 11, 2016 I was making a blitz trip from Boise down to City of Rocks to activate it in the ARRL’s National Parks on the Air program. I had always wanted to run up to Mt. Harrison and had just enough time in my schedule to do so. I had read W7IMC’s short summary of his 2013 trip, as found on the SOTA Summit Summary. A paved drive up to a 6 pointer! In Idaho! Hard to believe and it is likely the only one of its kind. Sure enough that is what it is.

Sunday, January 15th, 2017 was my attempt to do Mt. Spokane (formerly referred to as Jump-off-Joe). I believe my activation is the first “winter” activation of this peak. As previously reported, there are several ways to access this summit, which even include taking the chair lift in the ski area! Previous activations from other have included driving to the top, hiking, and Mountain Biking. My attempt would be on a snow shoe trail that is well travelled.