DESTINATION Parker Peak Trail #221A - IPNF 1 Photoset
2025-07-10 | |
|
| | |
|
| Hiking | 16.41 Miles |
4,826 AEG |
| | Hiking | 16.41 Miles | 8 Hrs 54 Mns | | 1.89 mph |
| 4,826 ft AEG | 14 Mns Break | | | |
|
|
| |
| Partners |
|
none
[ show ]
| no partners | | Two hour drive from my house to the Trout Creek TH. The parking area was surprisingly full, but I did a 7-point turn and got my truck parked out of the way. Got started at 0800. It was raining, which was not in the forecast. One thing I’ve learned with hiking in Idaho, is always pack a rain jacket and bug spray, no matter what. Both were used today.
Uneventful first two miles up to Pyramid Pass. Wet rocks slowed me a little. Once over the pass, the wind picked up. Steep climb up to Long Mtn, which has great views. Saw a thru-hiker doing the Pacific Northwest Trail, talked with him for a moment. Continued north on the Parker Ridge Trail, which is a roller coaster, there is never level trail anywhere on this hike. Intermittent rain and sun. Going around Peak 7445 was pretty.
Got to the junction with Parker Peak trail and continued uphill, more steeply now. While it had been sunny and clear a few minutes earlier, it was rainy and foggy when I reached the summit. Still windy. Had a quick snack then headed back downhill.
Retraced my steps along Parker Ridge. The sun came out again for a while. Had I been 30 minutes faster or slower, I could have had clear summit views. Back thru the roller coaster, where it started to rain again as I went around 7445. Saw a group of about 20 boys (teens/early 20s) who had camped at Long Mtn Lake and were doing a dayhike to Parker Peak. That explained the full parking lot. Again, slick rocks made for careful hiking on the steep slope of 7445. The climb back up Long Mtn felt steeper too.
The final four miles are mostly downhill, coming off Long Mtn, with one short uphill over Pyramid Pass. No more rain, still windy, and my knees were getting a little tender. Once over the pass, there was less wind, and the grade was slightly easier on my knees. The final two miles went by fairly quickly.
Great hike, with some amazing views of the Selkirks. I’d definitely do this one again. |
|
Wildflowers Observation Moderate
|
|
| _____________________
| Stop crying and just go do the hike. |
| | |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Route Editor
Route Scout
Route 
