Elevation: 8,306 ft
Prominence: 326
This peak is not in the book. Published January 2020
Peak 8306 is located due south of The Castle and southeast of Needles Summit in a remote section of the Southern Lick Creek Range. Like many Lick Creek Range peaks, this summit is capped by a granite spire. John Platt climbed to the summit area in 2019 but left the “tricky and exposed” summit block unclimbed. Use the link below to read John’s trip report. USGS Gold Fork Rock
Peak 8306’s virgin summit pinnacle is just barely higher than a nearby point. John Platt Photo
Access
From Kennally Creek Campground, follow FST-101 to Needles Summit [(B)(5)(b) on Page 136]. From Needles Summit, follow FST-303 to the peak’s West Face. John Platt reports: “Trails are in great shape. You have to navigate several trail junctions. Fairly shady but also buggy. There are a few downed trees here and there, but you can make good progress all the way to Needles Summit.“
North Ridge, Class 2+/Summit Spire, Class 5+
Traverse south from the trail along the forested North Ridge to the summit area. How you overcome the summit spire’s bouldering problem is up to you.
Additional Resources
Mountain Range: Western Salmon River Mountains
Longitude: -115.80189 Latitude: 44.73909