Elevation: 9,366 ft
Prominence: 386
This peak is not found in the book. Livingston Douglas provided the 2024 Update which includes important information about the declining quality of the access road which demonstrates the ephemeral nature of Idaho’s mountain roads as the road has deteriorated significantly since 2014. Updated December 2024
Peak 9366 offers a great viewpoint for this section of the Salmon River Mountains and can be climbed in combination with an ascent of Mount Greylock. USGS Custer
Peak 9366 as viewed from Mount Greylock
I climbed the peak in 2014 with Gilbert Gallegos and Andrew Chiles from the saddle south of Estes Mountain. The summit is a short walk with an elevation gain of 400 feet from the saddle via the peak’s north ridge. Access to the ridge is set out below.
The following access information expands on the access information in the book. Start on Loon Creek Summit Road [(F)(3.2) on Page 141], which begins just north of the Yankee Fork Dredge. From this road, you can access the ridge between Estes Mountain and Mount Greylock via a road that, as far as I know, does not have a Forest Service number designation. I will designate it as FS-3.2.2, Estes Mining Road. This road leaves Loon Creek Summit Road 5.1 miles north of the beginning of that road. The Forest Service map and the USGS quad show this road as a jeep trail but it is a well-maintained (albeit steep) road that leads up and over the ridge to the east. Turn right onto this road and drive 3.4 miles to the ridge top where you will find parking and a spot to make a pleasant, dry car camp.
2024 Updates by Livingston Douglas
Peak 9366 as viewed from Peak 9380 to its south. The southeast ridge is right of center. This was my descent (then ascent) route. Livingston Douglas Photo
Peak 9366 is a rocky hump located just southeast of Estes Mountain. It is most easily climbed by its northwest ridge from a nearby saddle at 8,980 feet. Peak 9366 sits at the north end of a ridgeline that connects to the more impressive Mount Greylock (9,857 feet) to its south. It is often climbed in combination with Mount Greylock.
Access
As of Summer 2024, the Estes Mountain Road is in poor shape and does not appear to be maintained. It requires a 4WD with good tires. From Yankee Fork Road/FSR-070, drive north up [signed] Loon Creek Road/FSR-172 for 5.1 miles to an unsigned junction with a steep, poorly-maintained 2-track road heading right/east. Reset your odometer here. At 2.1 miles, go right at an unsigned road junction. At 3.1 miles, reach a critical unsigned junction.
Go right here onto an unmapped 2-track road. At 3.3 miles, reach a broad saddle at 8,980 feet. Park here (44⁰26’38”N, 114⁰42’07”W). This is NOT the same ridge saddle as for the Estes Mountain climb. That saddle is higher up at 9,060 feet. This is the first leg of a 4-peak adventure that includes Peak 9366, Peak 9380, Mount Greylock (9,857 feet), and Peak 9403. It covers 7.0 miles with 3,150 feet of elevation gain round trip.
Northwest Ridge, Class 2
The Climb
From the 8,980-foot saddle, bushwhack southeast up through an easy pine forest to quickly find the crest of the northwest ridge. Skirt blowdown and ridge trees as necessary (not too bad) by staying in the open, gravelly left/northeast edge of the ridge. Though steep, the northwest ridge leads quickly to the rocky, open summit. The summit had no cairn so I built one.
Peak 9366 as viewed from Peak 9380 to its south. The southeast ridge is right of center. This was my descent route. Livingston Douglas Photo
The summit of Peak 9366 with its newly-built summit cairn.
Southeast Ridge, Class 2
The Descent
From the summit, descend southeast on a semi-open forested ridge (often on the open gravel on the rounded ridge’s left/northeast side) and reach some undulating ridge bumps lower down with some open, grassy areas. The ridge bends right/south and has some thick pines/blowdown in the lengthy saddle at its base. This bushwhack is not fun. Stay to the left/east side of the saddle for some degree of open terrain and less blowdown. The ridge then bends left/southeast and drops to the thick, blowdown-laden low point of the connecting saddle with Peak 9380. This concludes the first leg of today’s 4-peak journey. Peak 9380 is up next.
Additional Resources
Regions: Eastern Salmon River Mountains->Salmon River Mountains->Southeast Corner Peaks->WESTERN IDAHO
Mountain Range: Salmon River Mountains
Year Climbed: 2014
Longitude: -114.69849 Latitude: 44.44109