Lem and Tendoy Peaks

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Monday, August 12th

After a good night's sleep along the Salmon River and a great breakfast at a Salmon gas station cafe, we were on our way to our next objective - the peaks surrounding Bear Valley Lakes basin in the Lemhi Mountains.  With loaded backpacks, we hit the trail a little after 9AM.

Ready to go

The trail up to the basin had recently been cleared and didn't offer any outstanding views as evidenced by my lack of photographs.  We covered the roughly 5.5 mile trail in a couple of hours and set up camp near the largest of the Bear Valley Basin lakes - Lake 9135.

Our view for the night

After pitching our tents and a quick bite, we were off to our first objective - Tendoy Peak.  Tendoy was very prominent above our lake, but the summit wasn't obvious from below.  We opted to head straight up the steep NE ridge.  After a bit of huffing and puffing, were strolling along the broad ridge leading to the final steep rocky ridge to the summit.  A little bit of scrambling later and we were on the summit at 10,720 feet.

Tendoy Peak

Lake 9135 and Lem Peak from the ridge to Tendoy

Dave's summit register dance!

We took a short break before we split up.  Michael and I opted to head back, while Dave decided to follow the ridge to Peak 10,225.  I made it back to camp in time to wash off the 3 days of accumulated grime while in the sunshine.  Dave eventually showed up just before dark with a big smile on his face!  Mission accomplished!

Day 3 stats 
Distance - 8.5 miles
Elevation - 4400 feet
Time - 6 hours


Tuesday, August 13th

We had another alpine start the next morning as we hit the trail a little after 8AM.  After following the un-maintained Allison Creek trail south from Lake 9135,and crossing multiple wild flower filled meadows along the way, we broke out onto a broad plateau below Lem Peak.  This is some beautiful country!

Lem Peak

Dave looking for the best route to the top

The remnants of the trail switched back and forth across the scree before heading up to a saddle, where it joined an old Jeep trail coming up from the other side. The Jeep trail looked like it'd be a nice gentle route.

Saddle below Lem Peak

We took a short break at the saddle to hydrate and re-fuel.  From the saddle, we did our best to follow any bit of goat trail we could find.  For the most part we did a great job, with the exception being a short portion I led.

I followed what I thought was a goat trail only to have it wither away.  Faced with either back tracking to the ridge or heading up the steep, loose rocks, I chose the latter.  After a short, 50 foot stretch of very loose rock, we were back on the ridge.  Whew!

Michael navigating the loose section

After bypassing a few gendarmes and skirting another sketchy section or two, we were on the summit at 10,985 feet!

Sort of summit Splattski

The surrounding views were a bit hazy, but still outstanding!  After a short break, we re-traced our route down.  After all, Dave had another peak to climb!

Heading down

While Michael and I lounged in the sunshine in a large meadow below, Dave continued on the connecting ridge to Peak 10,456 (Little Lem Peak).

Dave on the summit of Peak 10,456

Close up

Dave eventually re-joined us and we strolled back to our packs and then proceeded down the trail back to our vehicles.  Other than meeting a group of disgruntled youth, with oversized packs, headed up the trail, the trip down was just long, dusty and hot.

Once back to the cars, we bid goodbye to Dave, and Michael and I turned north to our next objective - Snowshoe Peak north of Missoula, Montana.

Just south of Salmon is a place called the Baker Country Market. This is an Amish run place with a large assortment of canned and baked goods, including an excellent deli.  The sandwiches, which featured fresh bread, vegetables and possible homemade mayonnaise, were to die for!  Of course, a full day of hiking could have had something to do with that...

Day 4 stats 
Distance - 10.4 miles
Elevation - 2200 feet
Time - 7:15