Pyramid and Diamond Peaks

Pyramid Peak

The access road is just north of Salmon, then follows a pretty rough road to the trailhead. We parked short of the trailhead and walked the last bit of road. At the trailhead, several ATV/UTVs were parked, presumably archery elk hunters.

After a short additional walk, our trail intersected the Continental Divide Trail.

Peeking through the woods at our peak.

The trail is a bit rocky, but otherwise in great shape; no logs to crawl over.

Then came an off-trail traverse and steep scramble to the ridge top, just out of sight to the right.

After that steep hillside, the ridge seemed pretty deluxe. Here we also stumbled upon one of the hunters. We had been poking fun at hunters as we walked, so I had to replay the voice reel in my head to review anything requiring an apology.

After a few minutes, she seemed friendly enough as Jeff asked her about her bow, etc.

Once across the ridge, the talus work begins in earnest.

This is looking south, with our saddle in the background. A little smoky today, unfortunately. The smoke made our usual game of "Name That Peak" a little less fun than usual.

Summit.

Left to right, that's Jeff, Jeff, Art, and me.

We took a slightly different route on the way down, creating a bit of a loop. This was a super-nice hike and great introduction to this part of the Beaverheads. Highly recommended.

Map.

Diamond Peak

The next morning we were up even earlier, with a scheduled departure of roughly 6am. There's our peak, one of Idaho's nine "12ers".

Art and I had climbed this peak 16 year previous, and in the snow. The route climbs steeply into the saddle on the left, then follows the ridge as it arcs up right, then straight up.

After the first 1000' of gain, you get to the talus hillside, just above us here. Two steps up, one back.

Above that, the ridge offers better footing and the views start opening up. Note the smoke to the southeast.

But above, the sky was cerulean.

This is somewhere near 10,000'. During a rest stop here, we saw another car approaching the trailhead (that tale to be continued).

Summit.

Art, Bill, Jeff, and me.

The big Five-0

It was wonderful weather, so we hung out of top for a while. We had lunch. And Bill, the only thoughtful one, presented Jeff with a birthday present.

At about the 10k level, we had a chat with the gentleman who had been driving the previously-mentioned rig. He wasn't moving really fast and it was late n the day. We cautioned him, then as we descended we discussed his future. Looking back, we could see him on the little knob up there.

Then came the 1500' slog back down to the rig, followed by the bumpy road back to the highway. And then lots of stops on the way home: getting old, don'tcha know!?.

Map

Happy Birthday, Jeff!

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