Two fun and solitary hikes right off the Middle Fork of the Boise River.
- May 13, 2006
- Grape Mountain 5896'
- 3.5 hours car-to-car
- Krall Mountain 5318'
- 40 minutes car-to-car
- Team: me
- 90 minute drive to Grape trailhead
Note: click images to see a larger version in a new window
I was looking for a new hike on the Middle Fork of the Boise. I settled on Grape Mountain, visible just to the right of the main peak. The morning was fabulous. I left at 6, and it took about 90 minutes to drive, so after donning my hiking boots, I was off at about 7:30. Cool and quiet. |
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I bushwhacked up a ridge to gain a road. The road took me right to the summit, with the repeater visible as a little bump to the left of the top. Incidentally, there was flowing water beside the road, a sweet little spring, within 10 minutes of the top.... at least for now. |
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Someone had installed a summit register on April 29. I sat down to read it... I was the first one there since installation... and checked out the perfect view of the entire route for Mt. Heinen. Then I started down the north ridge (shown below). |
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| This is looking back up the north ridge. It's a little longer route than my ascent, but easy going with good views the entire way. Not too brushy, and always a game trail at a critical moment. |  |
| From the bottom of the ridge, there is a scenic, mellow jeep road back to the car to make a nice loop. Click on the map to see a biggeer version. |  |
I got back to the car at about 11 and headed further toward Prairie, where my second hike of the day began up Krall Mountain. This one is just about 1000' of climbing, and goes really fast. I should have just left my pack in the car. |
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Krall wasn't as nice as Grape- short and dry. But the views from the top were great. As a bonus, the flowers were out. And the same kind people had left a register here, too! I was back at the car at noon, so I went for a scenic drive through Prairie. |
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