Deep Creek Range

Hikes: D.
Total Distance, D: 4 miles.
Difficulty: Level II.
Season: June 15-September 15.
USGS Map: Deep Creek Peak.
BLM 100K Maps: Malad City, *Pocatello.
Dirt Road Miles: 9 1/2 gravel.
PLSS Location: Section 10, T11S R32E.

Introduction:When withdrawals for National Forests were made in the early 1900’s, many areas south of the Snake River were included: the South Hills, and the Cassia, Black Pine, Sublette, Portneuf, Elkhorn, and other Ranges. The two ranges with timber that were left out were the Deep Creek Range south of American Falls, and the Fish Creek Range east of Lava Hot Springs. This hike takes you along one of three ridgeline hikes that leave a single trailhead in the Deep Creek Range. All three hikes look excellent; this is the easiest of the group.

The Hike: Start up the road, noting the “closed to motor vehicles” sign. This climb takes you to 7814, the first of three 7800 foot peaks you’ll visit. It is far the steepest of the three, made enjoyable by the variety of wildflowers you see. At last you approach the rock outcrop near the summit. Go around to its left (west) side—the right side has an aspen thicket the author challenged and lost.
  From this first summit, you can already see a lot of country. Most interesting is the trail you see continuing along the ridgeline to the next summit, at 7804 feet. It’s worth it to hike to that point. Descend to the left, and you’ll encounter a cliff. Walk to its northernmost point, where you’ll see an easy-to-descend gap. A few feet later, you’ll step across a large exposed root. Follow it back to an incredibly gnarled Douglas the fir which is clinging to a niche provided by the cliff.
  Although the trail veers off to the left of the summit at 7804, go ahead and climb to the top. Below, you’ll see a dense grove of fir which the trail stays above. You’ll also see the next summit, at 7855. It’s worth it to hike to that point (D).
  Descend to the right of the trees to reach the saddle. From there, much of the ascent follows the very spine of the mountain range, a thin-soiled rock ledge that for some reason supports a lush stand of cheatgrass. There are also a SNOTEL station and a repeater station that aren’t too bothersome.
  From this summit, you can see the entire Wapi Flow (NW), the Cassia Mountains (W), the whole Sublette Range (W), the Black Pine Range (SW), the Raft River Range (peeking around the north end of the Black Pines), Bannock Peak (N), the Portneuf Range (E), Deep Creek Peak (SE), and possibly the Bear River Range (just around the north edge of Deep Creek Peak).
  The next goal is the summit at 7758, on the USGS Bannock Peak map. It’s probably worth hiking to that point, but the author got lazy.
  Don’t forget that from the same trailhead, you can climb Deep Creek Peak to the east, or the 8300 foot peaks to the south.

Access: Go south on the Arbon Valley Road from I-86 Exit 52. Drive 24 miles to the junction with the Mink Creek Road, and then 3 1/4 miles south to the Knox Canyon Road (W1). Turn right and follow this gravel road for 10 1/2 miles, to the summit/trailhead, where a rutted dirt road climbs steeply to the south.
  You can also approach from I-86 Exit 36, where you turn south on ID-37. Drive 19 1/2 miles to the Big Canyon Road (W2), and turn left. Follow this gravel road 2 miles and turn right, and then continue 7 1/2 miles to the summit. There are numerous potential campsites along Knox Canyon and Big Canyon roads, but they are horribly overgrazed. The nearest public campsite is at Twin Springs, about 17 miles south on ID-37. Twin Springs is a Curlew National Grassland campgrounds, on a historic trail.