Dodson Pass

Hikes: D.
Total Distance, D: 60 miles.
Difficulty: Level II.
Season: April 15-June 25.
USGS Map: Dodson Pass.
BLM 100K Map: Weiser.
Dirt Road Miles: 15 1/4 gravel.
PLSS Location: Section 9, T11N R1E.

Introduction: There are few more more awesome journeys than that heading east from Weiser to Dodson Pass. Weiser is on the Snake River, at 2100 feet, in the Columbia Plateau geomorphic province. Dodson Pass is on a ridge running from Squaw Butte to West Mountain, at 4250 feet, in the Northern Rocky Mountain province. En route you move through low desert at the southern entrance to Hells Canyon, along the Weiser River (one of our unsung desert waterways), across the desert near Crane Reservoir, over Willow Ridge, and then up to Dodson Pass, where high desert yields to mountain forest.
  Although portions of the hike have been impacted by fire, fire roads, and fences, the rich brush fields at this desert on the edge of forest make for outstanding wildlife habitat and enjoyable hiking. This ridge is in much better ecological condition than Willow Ridge to the west.

The Hike: Your goal is a view across Low Pass. The route heads straight up the ridge to the south. Walk across the pass (private property) and start climbing to the left of the brushfield. You should find a reasonable route up to the first summit at 4964.
  As you gaze along the ridge to the south, you feel you must compare your vision with your map, and you're right: this seven miles of ridge is remarkably level. The summits visible on the Dodson Pass quad are at 4964, 4925, 4970, 4983, 4916, 4812, 4881, and 4980. And aside from Low Pass, at 4468, the lowest point is about 4740.
  The author proceeded south from the view, passing an old road leading up to some recent fencing on the ridge. From 4970, he hiked south along a surprisingly rough, rocky ridge to a view over the lush brushfields on the south side of Low Pass. He guesses this site was a near-permanent snowfield during the last Ice Age, and that it was occupied by trees until a few thousand years ago.

Extensions: From Low Pass, you could continue south towards Squaw Butte, a trailless route for many miles. Better yet, you could get dropped off at Squaw Butte, hike north down the ridge, and get picked up at Dodson Pass, 27 miles away. A last possibility is to start at Dodson Pass and hike north towards West Mountain, following a jeep road for part of the way.

Access: Drive to Ola, and just north of town turn right, following signs for Third Fork Guard Station. Continue north 9 1/4 miles to a confusing four-way intersection that appears in right center of your Dodson Pass map. When the Sage Hen Road turns right, turn left on Nebitt Road, which passes Gross. Cross Squaw Creek and turn right on Third Fork Road. Head north 2 more miles, and turn left on Dodson Pass Road.
  The road quickly enters a stand of ponderosa pine, and 1 1/2 miles from the intersection, you are at broad Dodson Pass (T1). This is private land. If there is some sign warning you off, start 1/2 mile down the road, near BM 4092 (T2), and climb southeast up to 4925. This alternate route follows all BLM land.