PYRAMID PEAK 7355' TRAIL #13

EVENT TYPE: Hiking & scrambling
DISTANCE: About 6 Miles RT. (P. Pass 2.7 & 1300')
ELEVATION GAIN: 2005' gain. 643’ from Pass to Summit.
DIFFICULTY: Moderate hike, Difficult ascent.
MAPS: IPNF-Kaniksu N. F., USG-Pyramid Peak
GPS: 48° 48’ 19.7”N 116° 35’ 57.7”W
RANGER DISTRICT: Bonners Ferry R.D. 208.267.5561
BOUNDARY COUNTY SHERIFF: CALL 911 FIRST or 208.267.3151
IDAHO PANHANDLE NATIONAL FOREST/ALERTS
https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/ipnf/alerts-notices

DESCRIPTION:

WE HAVE ADDED THE AREAS SHERIFF’S EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBERS FOR EACH TRIP WRITE UP UNDER THE RANGER DISTRICT INFO. IF AN EMERGENCY OCURRS, EVALUATE YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES AND CALL ONLY IF NEEDED.
Pyramid Peak towered over Pyramid Pass, Long Canyon, and Pyramid Lake.
From a distance it look like it's namesake, a steep sided pyramid.
Once at Pyramid Pass, turn left (south) and look for a primitive trail leading to the lower flanks of the peak. Immediately the route (no trail), climbs steeply for about .3 of a mile.
You have to pick your way up the steep terrain over and around boulders, often times scrambling. But when you see the summit just above you, and summit it, you will be amazed and astonished that you made it, and of the incredible views.
From the summit, the views all around are spectacular, especially looking down Long Canyon. Nowhere else do you get such a great view of the canyon.
And thats not all, the 360° views so worth the scramble.
PLEASE READ “HAZARDS”BELOW

OPTION #1

This option is, to very carefully make your way down the way you ascended.
Please take this descent seriously.
In some cases, I turn around facing up hill, and use what ever you can to safely descend.

OPTION #2

To extend you hike/scramble, head SSE down a gentle ridge that connects with the ridge to Ball Lakes.
Along the ridge, there is a small unnamed peak that you should skirt around. Once on the other side, continue to above Pyramid Lake. It’s a long rock hop down to the lake. There is a trail around the north side of the lake.
It is not safe to ascend the ridge up the next prominence.
From Pyramid Lake, hike the trail that ascends the south wall. This walk up to Ball Lakes is magical.
As you gain the top of the wall, you can walk up hill to your right, to the prominence that’s too difficult to ascend. There people have built wind breaks for sleeping.
Head down the ridge to above Upper Ball Lake and around the NE shore line.
From the above prominence you can walk SE and pick up Trail #43, right to Ball Lakes or left to Pyramid Lake.

DIRECTIONS:

From the Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge, head north on the West Side Road for 10 miles to the Trout Creek Road #634. Turn left (west) and drive 9 miles to the trailhead.

HAZARDS:

THIS HIKE IS NOT FORTHE INEXPERIENCED.

Because about half of the route is off trail, you must take extra care on this entire route.
Be sure to carry your 13 essentials, a water filter, and dress for all weather conditions.
And please take my word, you need to wear long legged pants, to descend thru the thick brush.