Elevation: 9,615 ft
Prominence: 395
This peak is not in the book. Published November 2022
Peak 9615 is located on the main north-south Smoky Mountains crest about two miles south of Prairie Creek Peak (10,138 feet) and about two miles north of Baker Lake. It is most easily reached via trails on its east side from the Norton Lakes trailhead. USGS Baker Peak
Peak 9615 (dead center) as viewed from the northeast. Livingston Douglas Photo
Access
Same as for Peak 9335. This is the second leg of a 3-peak adventure that includes Peak 9335, Peak 9615, and Peak 9980.
Southwest Ridge, Class 2
The Climb
From the 8,980-foot connecting saddle with Peak 9335, scramble northeast up a ridge of easy grass/scrub and scattered pines to reach the summit of Peak 9615. The summit had a minimal cairn so I rebuilt it into a nice summit cairn.
Peak 9615 and its easy southwest ridge (coming at the camera), my ascent route. Livingston Douglas Photo
The summit cairn atop Peak 9615 with Prairie Creek Peak in the distance (left of center). Livingston Douglas Photo
Northeast Ridge, Class 2
The Descent
From the summit, descend north then northeast on a mix a loose shale, scrub, and ridge pines to reach a narrow ridge saddle at 9,220 feet. This concludes the second leg of today’s 3-peak adventure. Peak 9980 is up next.
Additional Resources
Regions: Smoky Mountains->WESTERN IDAHO
Mountain Range: Smoky Mountains
Longitude: -114.68001 Latitude: 43.72319