huskertriguy - Oct 1, 2020 8:48 am Date Climbed: Sep 1, 2020
The Targhee Shuffle
This was part of a Montana trip involving county high points for Shoshone (ID); Mineral; Ravalli; Granite; Deer Lodge; Beaverhead; Fremont (ID); and Madison. (Initially I had wanted to go after the remaining county high points in the Beartooths (having summited Granite Peak in 2018), but my body was providing some signs that I not provided myself sufficient recovery time this summer, so I kept this trip to day hikes/scrambles.)
I spent the previous night near Rexburg, arriving at the trailhead mid-morning. I had delayed my start as I waited for the day to warm up, but it was still overcast and in the low 40s when I got started. A single other pickup was parked at the trailhead when I arrived.
I opted for the shorter Mile Creek route. I opted for the shorter Mile Creek route. The road in is fine for all vehicles — but, there is a stream you must drive across just 100 yards from the trailhead. It really depends upon the stream level whether it is safe to cross in whatever vehicle. I do not recall seeing spots around there where there is space to park; it may be that you would have to park a mile away, closer to the highway. Do not be a dick and block the road; and do not park your vehicle in tall, dry grass unless you want to make headlines.
The surrounding peaks looked to have received a solid dusting of snow in the previous day’s precipitation. This did not bode well for my plans to attempt Hilgard Peak the following day, which was a significant bummer. Hilgard was the peak I was most looking forward to on this trip for its scrambling and routefinding. But I was not about to attempt those gullies, ledges, and dihedrals if they were snow-covered.
For today, however, I had other business to tend to. As this is a popular stretch of the CDT, the trail is well-maintained and straightforward. In fact, just 100 yards from the Targhee Creek junction, I encountered the occupant of the pickup: a lone Forest Service trail worker. Unfortunately in spite of my attempt to give a loud greeting well in advance, I startled her. She’d heard my podcast on my external speaker (a practice I generally abhor but which I do undertake when alone in grizzly territory) and assumed it was her radio. (She’d also had her hood on tight and the wind was pretty loud.)
I encountered the first patches of snow at 9000’. By this time the skies had also cleared considerably. None of the patches of snow were significant, but as I thought about Hilgard, it was a question of whether it was worth my time to make the long approach with the possibility of having to bail.
Upon reaching the saddle between Targhee and North Targhee, I departed the CDT and made my way up the ridge line. At first I stuck to the ridge line proper, but once I encountered a couple rocky outcrops I made my way around the west side of them. Curiously, the second of these had a tall post atop it, though it was well before the first of the three possible high points and was clearly much shorter. I decided to check it out on my return.
From here I started approaching what sure seemed to be the the first contender, though it was still a bit south of the three county high points as I looked at my waypoints. The use trail sure seemed to traverse around it, but I wanted to be sure, so I headed directly up it. At the top there is a cairn, but I could not be sure of its purpose; this seemed quite clearly NOT to be any of the 3 potential high points.
I descended this hump and continued following the trail that traced the ridge line, but to my eyes each rise in the ridgeline seemed to be roughly the same in elevation, so I took time heading up every single one. I lost count, but at the same time I kept checking the waypoints to be sure I was on track to tag each of the "official" high points. The first two waypoints lie along the rocky and rugged ridge; the third is atop a grassy knoll. At this final one is a cairn. I only paused here briefly, as I decided I would rather do lunch below the cold wind. To this final waypoint it took me 4 hours from the car, including breaks. My efforts to be thorough had cost me a bit of time.
Before I took time for lunch, I made my way to that aforementioned post, which is just a walk-up from the north. When I got there I learned what should have been obvious: the post marks the state line. Mystery solved, I scrambled down the boulders and found a sheltered spot to eat lunch and relax.
From there I took 2.5 hours to return to the car. My singular trail companion was long gone upon my return, having moved on to other projects.
I had a lot of fun on this summit area exploring the possible highest points.
Much of the snow seemed to be melting rapidly, so I decided the next day I would give Hilgard my best shot.
Hiked up the numerous and monotonous switchbacks of the Mile Creek trail up to the summit ridge (and continental divide). Pleasant going from there.
Dennis Poulin - Aug 24, 2010 10:22 pm Date Climbed: Aug 14, 2010
Targhee Creek
A long hike with Dean. Nice views from the summit. Kind of a tedious trail.
Dean - Aug 14, 2010 11:51 pm Date Climbed: Aug 14, 2010
A long day
Had to hike this one from the Targhee Creek Trailhead since the Mile Creek trail was closed by the forest service due to a carcass in the area and they didn't want "humans" in the area. The threatened 5000 dollar fine/6 months in jail was sufficient to get my friend Dennis Poulin and I to try the Targhee Creek route.
Over 18 miles and we carried pepper spray. mrh has done an excellent job with this page and we felt it was the central ridge area that had the highest spot. The southern area had a nice cairn and I found a small film cannister register but unfortunately, the paper inside was soaked and not legible. We took a short cut down to Clark Lake and that way would make a better way to ascend to the highpoint area as well if you didn't intend to climb Targhee Peak. No grizzlies sighted on this trip (whew)
huskertriguy - Oct 1, 2020 8:48 am Date Climbed: Sep 1, 2020
The Targhee ShuffleThis was part of a Montana trip involving county high points for Shoshone (ID); Mineral; Ravalli; Granite; Deer Lodge; Beaverhead; Fremont (ID); and Madison. (Initially I had wanted to go after the remaining county high points in the Beartooths (having summited Granite Peak in 2018), but my body was providing some signs that I not provided myself sufficient recovery time this summer, so I kept this trip to day hikes/scrambles.)
I spent the previous night near Rexburg, arriving at the trailhead mid-morning. I had delayed my start as I waited for the day to warm up, but it was still overcast and in the low 40s when I got started. A single other pickup was parked at the trailhead when I arrived.
I opted for the shorter Mile Creek route. I opted for the shorter Mile Creek route. The road in is fine for all vehicles — but, there is a stream you must drive across just 100 yards from the trailhead. It really depends upon the stream level whether it is safe to cross in whatever vehicle. I do not recall seeing spots around there where there is space to park; it may be that you would have to park a mile away, closer to the highway. Do not be a dick and block the road; and do not park your vehicle in tall, dry grass unless you want to make headlines.
The surrounding peaks looked to have received a solid dusting of snow in the previous day’s precipitation. This did not bode well for my plans to attempt Hilgard Peak the following day, which was a significant bummer. Hilgard was the peak I was most looking forward to on this trip for its scrambling and routefinding. But I was not about to attempt those gullies, ledges, and dihedrals if they were snow-covered.
For today, however, I had other business to tend to. As this is a popular stretch of the CDT, the trail is well-maintained and straightforward. In fact, just 100 yards from the Targhee Creek junction, I encountered the occupant of the pickup: a lone Forest Service trail worker. Unfortunately in spite of my attempt to give a loud greeting well in advance, I startled her. She’d heard my podcast on my external speaker (a practice I generally abhor but which I do undertake when alone in grizzly territory) and assumed it was her radio. (She’d also had her hood on tight and the wind was pretty loud.)
I encountered the first patches of snow at 9000’. By this time the skies had also cleared considerably. None of the patches of snow were significant, but as I thought about Hilgard, it was a question of whether it was worth my time to make the long approach with the possibility of having to bail.
Upon reaching the saddle between Targhee and North Targhee, I departed the CDT and made my way up the ridge line. At first I stuck to the ridge line proper, but once I encountered a couple rocky outcrops I made my way around the west side of them. Curiously, the second of these had a tall post atop it, though it was well before the first of the three possible high points and was clearly much shorter. I decided to check it out on my return.
From here I started approaching what sure seemed to be the the first contender, though it was still a bit south of the three county high points as I looked at my waypoints. The use trail sure seemed to traverse around it, but I wanted to be sure, so I headed directly up it. At the top there is a cairn, but I could not be sure of its purpose; this seemed quite clearly NOT to be any of the 3 potential high points.
I descended this hump and continued following the trail that traced the ridge line, but to my eyes each rise in the ridgeline seemed to be roughly the same in elevation, so I took time heading up every single one. I lost count, but at the same time I kept checking the waypoints to be sure I was on track to tag each of the "official" high points. The first two waypoints lie along the rocky and rugged ridge; the third is atop a grassy knoll. At this final one is a cairn. I only paused here briefly, as I decided I would rather do lunch below the cold wind. To this final waypoint it took me 4 hours from the car, including breaks. My efforts to be thorough had cost me a bit of time.
Before I took time for lunch, I made my way to that aforementioned post, which is just a walk-up from the north. When I got there I learned what should have been obvious: the post marks the state line. Mystery solved, I scrambled down the boulders and found a sheltered spot to eat lunch and relax.
From there I took 2.5 hours to return to the car. My singular trail companion was long gone upon my return, having moved on to other projects.
I had a lot of fun on this summit area exploring the possible highest points.
Much of the snow seemed to be melting rapidly, so I decided the next day I would give Hilgard my best shot.
Peaker - Sep 14, 2017 6:41 pm Date Climbed: Sep 12, 2017
Mile CreekHiked up the numerous and monotonous switchbacks of the Mile Creek trail up to the summit ridge (and continental divide). Pleasant going from there.
Dennis Poulin - Aug 24, 2010 10:22 pm Date Climbed: Aug 14, 2010
Targhee CreekA long hike with Dean. Nice views from the summit. Kind of a tedious trail.
Dean - Aug 14, 2010 11:51 pm Date Climbed: Aug 14, 2010
A long dayHad to hike this one from the Targhee Creek Trailhead since the Mile Creek trail was closed by the forest service due to a carcass in the area and they didn't want "humans" in the area. The threatened 5000 dollar fine/6 months in jail was sufficient to get my friend Dennis Poulin and I to try the Targhee Creek route.
Over 18 miles and we carried pepper spray. mrh has done an excellent job with this page and we felt it was the central ridge area that had the highest spot. The southern area had a nice cairn and I found a small film cannister register but unfortunately, the paper inside was soaked and not legible. We took a short cut down to Clark Lake and that way would make a better way to ascend to the highpoint area as well if you didn't intend to climb Targhee Peak. No grizzlies sighted on this trip (whew)