Teapot Dome

Hikes: D.
Total Distance, D: 3 miles.
Difficulty: Level II.
Season: Yeararound.
USGS Map: Teapot Dome, *Bennett Mountain.
BLM 100K Map: Mountain Home.
Dirt Road Miles: 3 to 8 gravel.
PLSS Location: Section 9, T3S R8E.

Introduction: Teapot Dome was a major landmark along the Oregon Trail in southern Idaho, visible from near Burley. Two hikes in its neighborhood are covered here. One follows the stretch of Oregon Trail that leads up to the base of Teapot Dome--the most hikeable stretch in southwestern Idaho.
  The other climbs Teapot Dome, a 1000 foot ascent with several surprises and a superb view of Bennett Mountain. This area burned in 1986. Portions have responded well, with bunchgrass stands growing thick and tall in response to lessened competition from sage. Portions have responded poorly, probably because they were pure cheatgrass to start with. And, as usual, a few patches of sage escaped the blaze altogether.

The Teapot Dome Hike: Along Teapot's southeast flank there is a prominent rhyolite cliff frequented by eagles. It has three summits which appear on the USGS map. This hike climbs via the gully west of the westmost summit, and descends to the east of the eastmost summit. The approach to the gully looks easy from your car, but this is just the first deception that Teapot has in store for you. You actually climb 350 feet before you hit the gully.
  At that time, you leave the cow zone and enter the grass zone. The bluebunch wheatgrass grows tall and thick here, with abundant arrowleaf balsamroot in between. To avoid some of the rocks, climb up on the gully's right side.
  Once on the open area behind the three summits, you can clearly see Teapot's summit. Here is the second deception: it is much higher than it seems. As you finally approach the cliff at the top, you find it guarded by tall, tall Basin wildrye. You can scramble up the cliff or, for easy access to the summit, you can work your way around the cliff's right (north) side.
  From the top (D1), you can see the entire Owyhee front to the south and west, the South Hills and Cassia Mountains to the south and east, and, as a special bonus, King's Crown to the east. Best of all is the view north to Mount Bennett. How sad that there is no public access to its summit ridge!
  The author took a slightly longer route down. He went past the eastmost of the three summits, and stopped. To his left, he looked down a drainage that delivers water to the basin north of Teapot. Straight ahead was the ridgelet to the drainage's right. And at far right was Teapot Dome's main ridge extending beyond the eastmost summit. He sidehilled to that main ridge, descended to a small saddle, and went on down to the Oregon Trail below. Turning right on the road returned him to his car.

The Oregon Trail Hike: The walk along the Oregon Trail gives you a chance to see pristine ruts, and to observe the changing shape of Teapot Dome. Walk north from the road, aiming for a gate in a fence. Once through, turn left on a road that gently climbs. This road has Oregon Trail ruts to right and left.
  When it reaches the crest of the ridge, you get a good view back down the Trail as it descends to the Bennett Creek crossing. At the crest, branch to the left and sidehill to a saddle. The Trail cuts right and descends down a slight drainage that offers surprisingly tough going. It takes you to a slight northern exposure, where native forbs and grasses are recovering nicely from the fire (D2). What a difference the lack of sun makes!
  From here, you can return to your car, or follow the ruts across the Hot Springs Creek flats, and come out at the base of Teapot Dome.

Access: From the junction of I-84 and US-20 (Exit 95), head north towards Fairfield. After 7 1/4 miles, turn right on Hot Springs Road, a good gravel road just before Rattlesnake Station. Drive 2 1/2 miles, to a point where a poor dirt road goes to the left (just before the gravel pit). This is the trailhead for the Teapot Dome hike (T1), and the pick-up point for the Oregon Trail trek.
  For the Oregon Trail hike near Bennett Creek, continue a long 3 1/2 miles to a major junction (5 1/4 miles from the highway), and bear left (go straight). After another 2 3/4 miles, you come to a fence overlooking Bennett Creek, with a road heading north. This is the trailhead for the Oregon Trail hike (T2), which is mostly on the USGS Bennett Mountain map.