Mount Independence

Hikes: D, O.
Total Distance, D: 6 1/2 miles.
Difficulty: Levels I, II+.
Season: June 25-September 25.
USGS Map: Cache Peak.
Forest Service Map: Sawtooth Forest Southern Division.
Dirt Road Miles: 5 gravel, 5 1/4 good dirt.
PLSS Location: Section 20, T14S R24E.

Introduction: This hike takes you to 9950 foot Mount Independence, where you stand 5000 feet above the surrounding desert. The views from the Albion Mountains are superb: west to Teapot Dome, east to the Tetons, north to Mt. Borah, south to City of Rocks. A price must paid for such a view: the risk of severe weather. Please take extra clothing, and don't attempt these summits in threatening weather; either stay in the lakes basin, or hike the Silent City of Rocks instead.
  This area was originally recommended for wilderness by the Forest Service's RARE-II study. It was then withdrawn due to local opposition. The Sawtooth Forest Plan places the area in a semi- primitive, non-motorized recreational category. With the new proposal to develop a hiking trail from Pomerelle ski area to the City of Rocks Natural Area, this area could receive even more attention and a higher level of protection.

The Hike: The trail, which starts as an old road, leaves the eastern edge of the parking area. It traverses the northeast side of Mount Independence, passing dense stands of coneflower, an ugly plant that indicates a long history of overgrazing. At last the trail breaks out into the open, on a southern exposure above Green Creek (W1).
  It now begins to climb in earnest, ending 800 feet higher when you reach the first of the four Independence Lakes. The next lake, at 9041, gives great views of the exquisite marble and schist that make up Mount Independence. The mountain is part of a "roof pendant": an area of older sedimentary rock lying before the on top of an uplifted granite batholith. At 2.5 billion years old, this is the oldest rock this far west in the United States.
You can camp by the large lake, but better sites can be found in the basin to the south (O), which offers more seclusion and less potential for impacts on lakeside areas. Above the large (second) lake, the terrain gets rockier and wilder. The marble rock can get very slippery when wet, so be cautious on a rainy day.
  To leave the cirque valley and climb Mount Independence, watch for a break in the cliffs to the west of the third lake. This rocky but gentle route up may be an old slump. Several routes seem to start at the bottom (W2) and converge after 150 feet of climbing. The route does not end up at the low point on the cirque rim. Instead, it brings you to the rim at about 9725, 150 feet above the low point and northeast of it. From there, it is easy to climb Independence. There is a nice sheltered lunch site just before the summit (D).
  On his return, the author headed downhill to the northeast until he cut the traversing trail. The first part of the descent was exhilarating, as he moved across beautiful meadows and dodged stringers of timber. Later, however, the trees closed in and became alternating thickets and rockslides--yuck!
  A better route would probably follow the north edge of the cirque. The USGS map shows a treeless stretch moving northeast across Section 16. Whichever route you take, bear in mind that no 2200 foot descent is pure fun.

Access: The best access is via Malta; drive there and turn west on ID-77. In 8 miles you come to Connor Junction, where you continue straight (southwest). After 4 1/2 more miles you are 1/4 mile past Elba, and a gravel road heads right (west) to Oakley via Basin-Elba Pass. Take it. Turn right in 3/4 mile, left in 3/4 mile, and you're on your way. At the pass (W1, shown on your USGS map), turn left on a pretty good dirt road.
  After a long 3/4 mile, when the Stinson Creek road bears left, bear right. Another long 3/4 mile brings you to the Potholes area (W2). Turn left and stay on the good road. After 2 1/2 miles, you come to a fairly level optional parking area. A few yards beyond here, a rougher road cuts sharply right. A long 1/4 mile descent on this road brings you to a large parking/camping area, which is the trailhead.