Jim Sage Hills

Hikes: D, O.
Total Distance, D: 4 miles.
Difficulty: Levels II, III.
Season: April 15-July 1.
USGS Maps: Connor Ridge, Elba.
BLM 100K Map: Oakley.
Dirt Road Miles: None.
PLSS Location: Section 34, T13S R25E.

Introduction: The Jim Sage Mountains rate high among the BLM’s unknown jewels. They never achieved Wilderness Study Area status because of the BLM Burley District’s prejudice against wilderness: the BLM declared that the area’s opportunities for solitude are “not outstanding”, and that its recreation opportunities are “less than outstanding”.
  You can visit this area and discover the truth, or take the author’s word: he regards this hike as one of the book’s best, and the decision against wilderness study as a tragic betrayal of the public trust. (P.S.: the author just has always called these the Jim Sage Hills, not the Jim Sage Mountains as maps say. He doesn't know why: he just does it.)

The Hike: Start walking up the road. Think of this way as a good trail helping you climb the 500 feet to the base of the mountains. As you walk, watch for a prominent grassy bench below a cliff, high above and to the right of Jones Hollow. This enticing table, below Hill 6543, is your goal. It and the surrounding hills have very good condition native grasses.
  You’ll know when it’s time to start climbing (W1). You’ll be in the canyon, at the first major side drainage (just before the Spring on your USGS map). Climb up the ridge on the right (southwest) side of the drainage. The route is steep at first, with small gullies you can walk in. Soon the slope gets gentler, the bluebunch wheatgrass gets thicker, and the deer trails get wider.
  After a while you reach a level area on the ridge. Look across the drainage to the grassy bench, and to the rock outcrop to its left. The author considered scrambling down that outcrop on his way out, but decided against it.
Climb on to the bench (D1), and take your time to enjoy the recreational opportunity, the solitude, and the scenery. In the rock outcrop to the left, nestled in the junipers, there are level, sheltered, dry campsites.
  Contemplate your route from here. The easiest alternative is to return the way you came up. However, an excellent deer trail continues to the left (north) side of the cliff, which is covered with bold red lichens. It is an exciting trail, and it seems to continue to the very crest of the mountain range. You should hike at least a bit of it.
  That little bit will bring you to the very head of a steep side drainage of Jones Hollow. Your intrepid author traversed to the far (east) side of the drainage, and descended it. This was an extemely challenging Level III route that he doesn’t regret taking. (On a later trip, he continued farther along the deer trail, and began his descent from a point farther up Jones Hollow. This was much easier than the early descent down the steep canyon side.)
  He does regret not having enough daylight to continue along the deer trail. It appears that continuing further along the deer trail would bring you to the head of Jones Hollow (D2), and a gentler route down.

Access: Drive to Malta and turn west on ID-77, the road to Almo. After about 8 miles, you come to Conner Junction. Continue straight on ID-77 for 2 miles, to the signed Jones Hollow Road. This road is very poor, with a bad stream crossing that comes very soon. Your safest bet is to just park along the highway.