Class 2 6.6 miles 2600 gain 2-4 hrs Out + Back Aug 27, 2022
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Bonneville Peak GPX Track

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Bonneville Peak, high point of the Portneuf Range, sits atop the Pebble Creek Ski Area, so the trailhead is accesible by any vehicle. Unfortunately this means the hike follows a snowmobile road up a bunch of switchbacks for most of the hike and the view is often obscured by chairlifts along the way. After hiking this road to the end, marked by a little patrol station, I set out on a social trail and into the forest. Although difficult to follow at times on the way up, there is definitely a well-traveled option that leads through the woods and up the steep slope. I found it easier to follow on the way back down.

The forested slope ascended for about 400 feet before it opened up slightly and introduced a rocky outcrop, easily avoidable on the right, where there was some light Class 2 boulder-hopping and another short, steep slope. I continued through a clear and flatter section, traversing below Skyline Peak (a named sub-peak tiny lump north of Bonneville Peak) and made my way to the ridgeline. The route south along the ridge to Bonneville Peak was lovely, though uneventful. Slowy gaining in elevation, a social trail leads through the ankle-high brush to the summit.

From the summit I noted a couple of peaks that looked more interesting to the south and changed all my plans for the day to go do those instead, but I wanted to approach the from a different direction. I recommend you check out the result of that trip report to Snow Peak and Haystack Mountain and consider hiking to Bonneville Peak from the south instead of doing this somewhat forgettable route. The alternative would make for a much more pleasant hiking experience.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Skyline Peak
9120 ft
40 rise
2
Bonneville Peak
9271 ft
3391 rise

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View back to the trailhead, also the Pebble Creek Ski Area. I followed a switchbacking ski patrol road most of the way up to the summit.
View back to the trailhead, also the Pebble Creek Ski Area. I followed a switchbacking ski patrol road most of the way up to the summit.
View back down the road.
View back down the road.
Yay, skiing?
Yay, skiing?
Nicer views higher up, still switchbacking on the snowmobile access road.
Nicer views higher up, still switchbacking on the snowmobile access road.
Bonneville Peak is up there somewhere.
Bonneville Peak is up there somewhere.
Image 5 from gallery
Another shot back as I near the end of the road.
Another shot back as I near the end of the road.
A small ski patrol hut. A social trail continues just to the right of it into the forest.
A small ski patrol hut. A social trail continues just to the right of it into the forest.
Ascending the steep slope for a few hundred feet.
Ascending the steep slope for a few hundred feet.
A rock outcrop, easily avoidable.
A rock outcrop, easily avoidable.
View back down the steep slope as it eases up.
View back down the steep slope as it eases up.
Approaching the ridgeline.
Approaching the ridgeline.
Bonneville Peak ahead to the south.
Bonneville Peak ahead to the south.
View back to Skyline Peak, just a little bump.
View back to Skyline Peak, just a little bump.
A social trail leads along the crest.
A social trail leads along the crest.
Another shot back.
Another shot back.
Approaching Bonneville Peak.
Approaching Bonneville Peak.
Just below the summit, a view south.
Just below the summit, a view south.
Some little structure on the summit.
Some little structure on the summit.
Bonneville Peak summit, view south toward Snow Peak and Haystack Mountain.
Bonneville Peak summit, view south toward Snow Peak and Haystack Mountain.

Hire me or show me some love!

Hire/refer me as a web developer or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I’m not sponsored, so all fees are out-of-pocket and my time preparing trip reports is unpaid. I really appreciate it!