Morrison and Gold Creek Peaks, Blackfoot River/Gold Creek Country

Pudge with Sheep Mountain looming in the distance and Stuart Peak less visible on the right.

It was finals week last week, and though it was a busy one, on Thursday morning I had an opening. So at the last minute, I quickly got my things together and, after dropping off Ellie at Hellgate, got out of town for the morning. My destination was Morrison Peak, which is the high-point on the divide between the Potomac Valley and the Blackfoot River. By peak bagging standards, it's a mellow outing, but it's a beautiful walk. To get there, turn off of Highway 200 at Johnsrud and follow the road to Whitaker Bridge. Park at the gated road just before crossing the Blackfoot and walk up the road about 1/2-1 mile to Red Rock Flat (see the map), at the end of which a ridge comes down to the road. Gain this ridge and follow it up through beautiful, open ponderosa grassland, with big views of Sheep Mountain and the rest of the Rattlesnake behind you as you climb. Once you reach the Potomac/Blackfoot divide at peak 5602, walk the ridge line west to the wooded Morrison Peak.  

Potomac Valley

Open grassy ridge to the divide and peak 6502. Morrison Peak is out of view to the left.

Pudge and Gold Creek Peak on the skyline on the right.

A few days later, on Sunday, the kids were busy and Jen was selling art at the Made Fair, so I decided to head up the Blackfoot again, this time to climb Gold Creek Peak. To get there, turn off of Highway 200 at Gold Creek Road, just a few miles before the turn off to Johnsrud (this is the way in to the backside Rattlesnake Wilderness Trailheads). Stay on the main road 126 for around eight or nine miles (not exact) until you turn off onto FS road 4224, which you'll follow to the first switchback. Park at the switchback and walk up the gated road about 5-10 minutes. After the road crosses a stream, gain the ridge that goes all the way up to the peak on the map. It's a bit of a bushwack at times, but straightforward otherwise. The snow probably made this route easier than it would be in summer.

PS: The skiing is getting good up at Snowbowl, so these peak posts are likely to end before long.

Summit snowshoe tracks

summit view

Pudge readying for the descent

Gold Creek country.