Forum Index > Trip Reports > Mallard Peak Idaho - October 13th, 2007
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Spotly
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Joined: 06 Jan 2004
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Location: Spokane Valley
Spotly
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PostSun Oct 14, 2007 9:21 am 
We decided to spend yet another weekend hiking in Idaho. Our destination was Mallard Peak in the St. Joe National Forest. We picked up Tanya and Brian at the usual meeting spot in the valley at 5:30 and headed east on I-90 to St. Regis Montana - a fairly quick drive. From there we took forest roads an additional million miles to the TH. Well, at least what we thought was the trailhead. After all, it was marked with the correct trail name and number. The drive took 4.5 hours so we didn't get moving down the trail till 10ish. At first it seemed odd that the trail paralleled the road then it got kinda aggravating, especially after it crossed it several times. It finally dumped us out at the real TH a rocky mile down the smooth road. From the real TH to Mallard Lake is basically a level and treed ridge run on good trail. It's advertised in the guidebook as "undulating" but it's not - ripped off! The trail elevation stays just below 6000 feet and runs to the west side of the ridge. At about two miles, the forest opens up enough to give good views west across the expansive Sawtooth Creek basin. A large area of trees on the far side were dead and dull brown, contrasting with the rest of the fall colors along the ridge. We could barely see the Mallard Peak Lookout to the SW as it moved in and out of the clouds. After another 1.5 miles, the trail began to descend to the saddle near Mallard Lake, reaching it in another half mile. We missed the side trail to the lake but we were all doing good for water anyway. It was another 2 miles from the saddle to the lookout and the trail had anywhere from 6 to 12 inches of snow. This was the best part of the hike. The lookout was clearly visible through this entire section. The area was filled with water shaped granite and little cascades. A shortcut could be had here with some scrambling on what looks like solid granite and a small amount of talus. We had brought Kimmy and were worried she might be tempted to hurl herself off a cliff (she's skittish) so decided to stick to the trail, which wound itself around the back side of the peak. The lookout was open. We located and signed the register then had a bite to eat. There were a few packs and sleeping bags laid out and pretty soon, a guy and his young son arrived from gathering water. They were from Spokane too and were spending the weekend in the lookout. We chattered for a few minutes then headed out. Other than my cramped groin slowing me down, the trip out was uneventful. A hunter and his pack mules loaded with elk arrived as we were pulling out. The whole area was loaded with hunters and it looked like they were having a successful year. The only critters we saw on the hike were the other two hikers and their black lab. (Pictures)

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trailjunky
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Joined: 14 Jun 2004
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Location: timberline
trailjunky
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PostMon Oct 15, 2007 2:08 am 
Gotta love that Northern Idaho solitude, sounds like another great day outdoors. up.gif

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Spotly
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Location: Spokane Valley
Spotly
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PostTue Oct 16, 2007 10:33 am 
Loved the solitude but hated the drive. Maybe I'm just getting tired of driving in general though. This year seemed pretty crazy for that. It was strange that every available wide spot was filled with hunters but not one seen. In fact, the only people tracks we saw belonged to the two people we met at the lookout and those were from the day before. We also spotted a set of very large canine tracks that were following some elk tracks. Could have been a woof since the area is known to hold them. That woulda been cool to see one of those agree.gif

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