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Latitude & Longitude – 45.84516 N / 114.38828 W
Elevation – 9,459’
Route Types – Scramble
Class Levels – Class 3, 4
Length of Time Required to Complete the Routes – One of More Days
Connecting ridge to Bare Peak North
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Bare Peak is on a ridgeline southwest of the Boulder Peak ridge. Its seldom-visited, remote highpoints are toward the western end of the ridge which runs from southeast to northwest. Mostly within a designated Wilderness Area, the Bare Peak ridge lays between the Nelson Creek Drainage to the north and the Soda Springs Creek Drainage to the south.
For some reason, which I have yet to discover, most Topo maps show the name Bare Peak assigned to a highpoint of 9,289’. This is strange considering there are two other highpoints of greater elevation, Bare Peak - North Summit (on the Montana/Idaho border) at 9,439’ and Bare Peak - East Summit at 9,459’ on the same ridge. Some may even consider its closeness to Bare Peak - North Summit to disqualify Point 9289 as a separately named summit because the low point on the ridge-crest between the two does not meet or exceed a 300’ difference in elevation.
The especially rugged crest of the southeast ridge makes an approach to Bare Peak - East Summit along this ridge-crest problematic. Having studied both sides (north and south) of the crest from fairly close range, I suspect that climbing aids would be required to travel the western portion of the crest as it nears the summit. Even if no aids are required, the extreme exposure would certainly keep me (for one) from making a solo attempt.
Getting There
Nelson Lake Trailhead
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Nelson Lake Trailhead
From Hwy 93 take Montana Hwy 473 (West Fork Road) west for 14.3 miles to the junction with Nez Perce Road (468).
Turn right (south-southwest) onto Nez Perce Road and drive almost 3 miles to the Nelson-Gemmel Road (5633).
Turn right (west) onto the fairly good gravel road.
Drive about 2.7 miles and turn right (west) at the junction as directed by the sign for Nelson Lake Trailhead.
In spite of the fact that the sign shows 3 miles to the trailhead, it is only 2.5 miles to the pullout.
There is parking for about six(6) vehicles but no restroom facilities.
The trail leaves the parking area in a north-northwest direction.
Area Restrictions (Red tape)
A warning sign at the beginning of the Nelson Lake Trail
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A few larch in full fall color
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Most of this area is officially Designated Wilderness. The appropriate rules and regulations apply. Absolutely no motorized vehicles are allowed on or off the trail.
Stock animals are allowed, though they stay mostly on the trail to the overlook because the trail to Nelson Lake is a bit too exposed for any "intelligent" horses or mules.
CampingSome good camping sites exist close to Nelson Lake; otherwise water is available during spring and early summer higher in the cirque and would make that area viable for camping.
RoutesFor information about the climbers' route, see the link included in the picture's description.
Along the trail before you reach Nelson Lake, in the distance you can see the ridge along which the Northeast Ridge Route proceeds
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Images
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