Elkhorn Peak Loop in Caribou-Targhee National Forest, ID

Hike Elkhorn Peak Loop Caribou-Targhee National Forest, ID

Class 2 9.4 miles 3400 gain 4-6 hrs Loop Aug 28, 2022
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

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Elkhorn Peak is a high-prominence mountain in the Bannock Range of southern Idaho. The summit requires a bit of bushwhacking from whichever direction you choose to approach, so I figured I'd make a loop of it since there isn't a single best option. This also allowed me to get a couple of minor peaks along the ridge, and more importantly, quench my insatiable loop-creation thirst for the day. I had no trouble navigating to the trailhead, but sedans probably can't make the last mile past the Malad Summit Campground.

I headed west on a designated ATV road/trail, almost immediately reaching a junction. I kept right and continued along the ATV road. About a half mile of forest walking and I reached another junction. This would be the spot that completed my loop later. Left was the Kents Canyon Trail. I stayed right, taking the Indian Mill Trail, still clearly primarily used by ATVs. It switchbacked up the slope for a while and gave me some quick views over toward Elkhorn Peak before reaching the ridgeline above.

I left the road and headed south into the forest on a semblance of a social trail. I was able to avoid most bushwhacking, but not always. For the first half I recommend sticking to the trees when possible since the more open areas have sagebrush and other somewhat annoying plants. Higher up the brush died down and exposed more grassy sections that were more friendly to walk on. The route became more pretty as I progressed, keeping me from complaining about the lack of trail. Clearly I've gotten spoiled the last few days. There were a couple of steeper sections, and overall I had no issues navigating along the ridge. Before long I could see the final ascent to the summit of Elkhorn Peak, a mostly clear ridge walk with a narrow limestone spine guiding part of the way. The summit had a peculiar limestone cliff that stretched along the east face of the peak, a gorgeous feature overlooking the hilly landscape below. There was also a ridiculously tall cairn marking the summit.

Rather than backtrack, I decided to continue south along the ridge, committing to a loop. Shortly after leaving the summit, I encountered the potential for getting cliffed-out by some limestone bands on the south side of Elkhorn Peak, so I dropped below them as soon as I saw a viable steep grassy slope. Somehow the crest continued to be brush-free until around 8600', where sagebrush decided to suddently appear, though for only a short time. It soon gave way to some forest walking. Peak 8520 lay ahead, a forested and nearly view-less summit. The ascent to this peak was a bit steep, but animal trails kept the going straightforward and there was only a little bit of dryfall to hop over.

I headed down the east slope from Peak 8520, a thicker section of forest with a bunch of deadfall to hop over. It still wasn't bad, so I was really happy I decided to go for the loop. I reached a trail junction at the base of the peak, the same trail whose junction I passed earlier in the day, Kents Canyon. I'd be heading north along the Kents Canyon Trail shortly, but first I took a quick detour to hike to Peak 8339 across the saddle. There was some light Class 2 at the top, and the peak gave a nice view back toward Elkhorn Peak. I backtracked to the trail and headed north. The Kents Canyon Trail is a traditional singletrack, so I enjoyed the forest walk without feeling like an ATV could run me over.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Elkhorn Peak
9095 ft
3495 rise
2
Peak 8520
8520 ft
320 rise
3
Peak 8339
8339 ft
299 rise

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Starting from the trailhead, keeping right at the junction just ahead.
Starting from the trailhead, keeping right at the junction just ahead.
Mill Creek ATV Trail.
Mill Creek ATV Trail.
Easy creek crossing.
Easy creek crossing.
Approaching the junction with the Kents Canyon Trail after the forest opened up for a short time.
Approaching the junction with the Kents Canyon Trail after the forest opened up for a short time.
Continuing along the Mill Creek Trail.
Continuing along the Mill Creek Trail.
Starting the ascent to the ridgeline above.
Starting the ascent to the ridgeline above.
Image 6 from gallery
View back, hints of views.
View back, hints of views.
Elkhorn Peak popping out above.
Elkhorn Peak popping out above.
Image 9 from gallery
View back. Elkhorn Peak top right, the two unnamed peaks I'd get later seen center.
View back. Elkhorn Peak top right, the two unnamed peaks I'd get later seen center.
Once I reached the north ridge of Elkhorn Peak, I headed south off the ATV trail.
Once I reached the north ridge of Elkhorn Peak, I headed south off the ATV trail.
View back along the ridge toward the saddle where the trail took me.
View back along the ridge toward the saddle where the trail took me.
Mostly easy hiking south, with some brush. It's best avoided by staying amongst the trees.
Mostly easy hiking south, with some brush. It's best avoided by staying amongst the trees.
Continuing south, plenty of open spaces.
Continuing south, plenty of open spaces.
View back, an animal trail aiding along the crest.
View back, an animal trail aiding along the crest.
Through more forest.
Through more forest.
Elkhorn Peak top left somewhere.
Elkhorn Peak top left somewhere.
View back along the crest.
View back along the crest.
A little limestone spine leading part of the way to the summit.
A little limestone spine leading part of the way to the summit.
Another shot back.
Another shot back.
Elkhorn Peak ahead, easy hiking on mostly clear terrain.
Elkhorn Peak ahead, easy hiking on mostly clear terrain.
Elkhorn Peak summit area, view north.
Elkhorn Peak summit area, view north.
Elkhorn Peak summit just ahead.
Elkhorn Peak summit just ahead.
Elkhorn Peak summit cairn.
Elkhorn Peak summit cairn.
View toward Peak 8520 and Peak 8339, the next two peaks on the loop.
View toward Peak 8520 and Peak 8339, the next two peaks on the loop.
View back toward the summit as I head south.
View back toward the summit as I head south.
Some limestone cliffs. I chose to drop through the grassy slope in the center rather than risk getting cliffed-out.
Some limestone cliffs. I chose to drop through the grassy slope in the center rather than risk getting cliffed-out.
View back toward the limestone cliffs I avoided.
View back toward the limestone cliffs I avoided.
Along the ridgeline, now heading east. Peak 8520 seen ahead, some sagebrush and then forest to come.
Along the ridgeline, now heading east. Peak 8520 seen ahead, some sagebrush and then forest to come.
On my way up Peak 8520, view back toward Elkhorn Peak.
On my way up Peak 8520, view back toward Elkhorn Peak.
Forested and steep up to Peak 8520.
Forested and steep up to Peak 8520.
Peak 8520 summit, view toward Peak 8339.
Peak 8520 summit, view toward Peak 8339.
Descending tot the saddle, denser forest with a bit more deadfall.
Descending tot the saddle, denser forest with a bit more deadfall.
At the saddle where the Kents Canyon Trail popped in. First I continued up to Peak 8339 before I'd take the Kents Canyon Trail.
At the saddle where the Kents Canyon Trail popped in. First I continued up to Peak 8339 before I'd take the Kents Canyon Trail.
Starting down the Kents Canyon Trail.
Starting down the Kents Canyon Trail.
Summit of Peak 8339, view toward Elkhorn Peak (right) and Peak 8520 (left).
Summit of Peak 8339, view toward Elkhorn Peak (right) and Peak 8520 (left).
Mostly a forested hike along the Kents Canyon Trail.
Mostly a forested hike along the Kents Canyon Trail.
The trail was well-maintained and pretty.
The trail was well-maintained and pretty.
Approaching the junction with the Mill Creek Trail.
Approaching the junction with the Mill Creek Trail.
View back up the Kents Canyon Trail at the junction with the Mill Creek Trail, completing the loop.
View back up the Kents Canyon Trail at the junction with the Mill Creek Trail, completing the loop.

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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!