Gem County High Point Trip Report
Date: August 6, 2000
Author: Bob Packard
Tripod Peak Quad says 7971, but the highest contour is 7920. From US 95 turned S onto the Indian
Valley Rd. In about 7 miles turned left on Little Weiser Rd (FR 206). After about 18.6 miles, still on FR
206, passed Big Flat CG. After 20.8 turned right on FR 835 (Anderson Creek Rd) and right again at 22.4
on FR 180 (Sheep Creek Rd). Camped at this intersection. Next morning (Aug 6) drove 3 miles S on FR
180 to a left onto FR 231 to a right onto FR 676. Then another 2.6 miles to park at 6182 where you can't
continue due to the road being closed by bulldozed dirt piles. Roads are dirt but mostly smooth and fast.
The foot bridge mentioned on the Cold Spring Quad is gone, but the creek was just a trickle, easily
hopped. After crossing creek I went SW, then SE, then E, then NE, then E on 4WD drive jeep tracks.
Left track when it went S and went up the long ridge going to the Gem HP. Snowbank Peak (8322) with
radio tower and bubble is to the SSE in Valley Co. An alternative route to the Gem HP might be to drive
up Snowbank and bushwhack down the ridge to Gem HP. This is a long ridge which sort of ends at
Lookout Peak NNW of Gem HP. At Gem HP I built nice cairn and left glass jar register. Great views of
Cascade Reservoir to the NE, cattle grazing on the well-named Greenfield Flat to the S and SE. I won't
go into the options for return to vehicle.
Statistics: 5 hours, 10 miles, 1900 feet elevation gain.