Elkhorn (+3) & Sedgwick (+1) pks

The Idaho Summits spring outing was scheduled for this weekend, but someone forgot to tell NOAA. So with a prediction of sunny, clear skies we instead did the long drive to Summit Campground near Malad City. In a wide spot, we dirt-bagged in front of the car, then in the morning drove another fraction of a mile to the end of the road/trailhead. On our feet at 6:30, we warmed ourselves by patting ourselves on the back for our early start.

The way to the ridge follows an ATV trail. Michael used his recent Robie Creek training to set a torrid pace. From near the saddle, there's Elkhorn.

But I was confusing the issue because I had done some research. In addition to crossing a P2K off Micheal's list, we had an opportunity to hit four peaks. Why, there's one now!

Our route continued up through some forest, then down to the saddle between the peak and the ridge to Elkhorn.

Sort of dreading additional bushwhacking on a long day, we were stoked to find a pretty good trail to follow.

Summit.

I think it was about 8:30am. Great way to start the day!

Then back down to our saddle and a climb back up to 'the route'.

Yeah, we hit a few snow patches, but they were minimal.

Once on the ridge, it turns into a, well, a ridge walk.

This is the canyon we slept in last night.

Two down, two to go.

Looking back at Elkhorn. You can see the cairn from here. If you know where to look, you can see it from the freeway!

Peak #3 went pretty quickly, then we did a 500' bushwhack descent, shown here, that went surprisingly well.

Peak #4 also went well, then we returned to the saddle shown here.

The day was still young and the weather prediction for Sunday was headed south: 70%, 80% POP; chance of thunderstorms. So we opted to go after another nearby P2K on Michael's list, Sedgwick Peak.

Getting there requires a high-clearance vehicle for sure, and probably 4-wheel drive. Michael loved it. We followed the advice of the Dear Tom Lopez website, and parked at the saddle between Sedgwick and Baldy.

Then started plodding up the road to Sedgwick. It was hot. We were passed by something like 30 ATVs and motorcycles filled with families and small children, all looking at use like we were weird.

But it's a beautiful ridge with amazing views.

From the summit, looking sort of north-east.

North toward Baldy.
We sauntered back down to the car, then drove up to the saddle with Baldy (the highpoint of the mass in the center, below the skyline). From the saddle, it's a very short walk to Baldy's summit.

Then we bounced and lurched back down the road/track and headed home, arriving a little before 10. Long, fun day.

Map

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