Antelope Pass

Hikes: D.
Total Distance, D: 5-11 miles.
Difficulty: Levels II, III.
Season: June 15-September 15.
USGS Maps: Shelley Mountain, Copper Basin Knob.
Forest Service Map: Challis N.F.
Dirt Road Miles: 31 1/2 gravel, 5 fair.
PLSS Location: Section 28, T6N R28E.

Introduction: Here are two hikes at the edge of beautiful Copper Basin, one of Idaho's most glorious high desert basins. Both leave from Antelope Pass, at 8934 feet perhaps the highest in Idaho. One heads south into the eastern end of the Pioneer Mountains, one north to climb a summit in the little known White Knob Mountains. The Pioneers hike has northern exposures which hold snow longer into the summer. If you see snow there, try the White Knobs.
  These are desert mountain hikes. One route ends at 10,330 feet, the other at 11,278. Neither goes under the shadow of a tree. Along the way, you walk through grass, flowers, and sagebrush, and see antelope. Sound like desert?

The Hike: Start up the Pioneers side (to the south) on the faint dirt road that starts below the snow fence, and climbs around the side of the knob south of the pass. Then climb to the first minisummit, where a most unique message awaits you on a post. From there, you are looking at a steep, rocky promentory. Bear to its right and watch for a faint trail and avoids the very summit. Note the abundant Indian paintbrush on these slopes (in fact, flowers remain plentiful throughout the hike), as well as the delightful little fescues.
  Past the rocky promentory, you climb to 9836. The views here are superb. To the north are the White Knobs. You can see four named 11,000 foot peaks-from right to left, Shelly, Redbird, Lime, and Cabin. Observe the incredible blend of colors on the jagged ridge between Redbird and Lime, and the patch of green tundra on top of Lime. To the southeast, you see Big Southern and Twin Buttes in the desert, Appendicitis Hill in front of Arco, and the Craters of the Moon lava field to the right of Appendicitis. To the east, you see peaks of the Big Lost River and Lemhi ranges. And always, to the west, Copper Basin and the central Pioneers.
  By now, you've figured out that this ridge doesn't proceed smoothly upward--that it goes from minisummit to minisummit, with discouraging saddles in between. Don't fret too much. On the way back, you'll figure out how to bypass the summits, and descend from saddle to saddle.
  The final climb from Hill 9836 is steep. When you reach a rocky area, bear left and watch for a trail that will take you around the rocky point, and then to the right of the last rocky stretch below 10,330 (D2). The author's legs, lungs, and lust for life gave out here. He was quite content to feast on the views of Anderson Canyon, the unnamed summits across Lake Creek, and 11,151, the final approach to which looks very rocky. He also took a look at 10,281, the summit along a ridge with very unusual grooved avalanche tracks.
  The hike north of Antelope Pass leads to Lupine Mountain, at 9554 feet, and then on to Shelly Mountain, at 11,278. Lupine (D1) is perched right at the foot of the high White Knobs, and makes a great hike as soon as you can drive to Antelope Pass. The only trick to the hike is to stay to the right of the rock outcrops as you climb past the first summit. You should continue north from Lupine Mountain a bit, until you can see into the drainage of Lupine Creek. This drainage was thoroughly destroyed by some catastrophic event: a mudslide, wet avalanche, cloudburst, or combination of the above.
  If you want to climb Shelly Mountain, hurry on to the high summit at 9699. Along the way, you hike a ways on a fading four wheel drive road. From there, Shelly Mountain is up, up, and then steeply up. The climb starts on grass, but then yields to rock. Be careful, and enjoy the view from the top.

Access: There are three main access routes. One climbs up Antelope Pass from Arco. To take it, drive 9 miles north of Arco on US-93 to the Antelope/Grouse Road. Turn left, drive just past Antelope Guard Station, and turn right (W1). Antelope Pass Road is a lot of fun if you can handle steep, narrow roads with lots of exposure.
  The second route leaves Sun Valley on Trail Creek Road, and proceeds about 20 miles to the main Copper Basin/Trail Creek Road junction (W2). Turn south for Copper Basin, then left after 2 1/4 miles, then continue straight 21 miles to Antelope Pass. The last five miles are a bit rocky but usually passable.
  The third route comes on the Trail Creek Road from Chilly, on US-93. Go about 14 miles north of Mackay, and turn left on Trail Creek Road. Drive about 19 miles to the main Copper Basin/Trail Creek Road junction, and follow directions above.