The “Germania Divide” is a group of 13 unnamed peaks at the southern edge of the White Cloud Mountains, on the fringe of the Boulder Mountains. This pocket of peaks forms a divide between the Germania Creek drainage to the north, and the East Fork Salmon River to the south. These obscure peaks are highly scenic but seldom climbed. The two westernmost peaks on the divide are located on a sub-ridge near Grand Prize Gulch. The higher of the two is nicknamed “Grand Prize Peak” (Peak 9988’), and the lesser “Consolation Peak” (Peak 9627’).

JJ and I had climbed Mount Greylock the prior day, and camped nearby. On our way to the start of our hike, we passed by numerous hunter camps along the way. So quite a bit of activity in the area. Our planned approach was to park at 8000’ near the mouth of Grand Prize Canyon, hike up the valley to the saddle, and access our two peaks from there.

We found a parking spot next to the road as planned, descended briefly to the creek bottom, and then began making our way up Grand Prize Canyon. A little bushwhacking and some downed trees to deal with initially, but when the valley opened up at around 8300’, the conditions and views greatly improved.

Grand Prize Canyon was very scenic, and we made decent time up to the saddle thanks to a good game trail. Once at the saddle, we decided to start with Grand Prize. (No brainer, right?) There were a couple steep and rocky sections initially, and then some other steep and grassy sections, and finally a nice long ridge scramble that took us to the summit. The ridge was pretty cool, rock was generally stable, and fun easy scrambling.

The summit of Grand Prize Peak offered up some great views of the surrounding White Clouds (Castle Peak dominates!), the Boulder Mountains, and the Sawtooths. It was a great place for a lunch break, and I could have relaxed there for a long time. But we had another peak to climb, so no rest for the weary. Back down the ridge we went, retracing our path back to the saddle above Grand Prize Canyon. Great in-your-face views of Castle Peak as we descended.

Next we headed northwest toward Consolation Peak. There were occasional game trails along the way, but generally just a grind up the mountain, with the steepest slopes near the top. The actual summit was a rock outcropping above a flat meadow-like area. It was a pretty setting for a snack break before we headed back down.

The descent back to the saddle wasn’t too bad, and hiking down the valley was very scenic. The highlight was when JJ spotted a group of mountain goats near the summit of Consolation Peak. They must have been just out of sight while we were there.

A beautiful fall day in the White Clouds, with a good friend, is hard to beat. Round trip was 6 miles and 2800’ elevation gain in 6 hours for our two “Grand Prize Peaks”.

Map of the route, 6 miles and 2800' gain round trip.	The creek bottom near the start of the hike.	Mouth of Grand Prize Canyon.	Looking down on Grand Prize Canyon.	Climbing the northeast ridge of Grand Prize Peak.
View up the northeast ridge of Grand Prize Peak.	Castle Peak in the distance, Consolation Peak in the near left.	Boulder Mountains from the summit of Grand Prize Peak.	Victory shot on the summit of Grand Prize Peak.	Descending the northeast ridge of Grand Prize Peak.
Headed up Consolation Peak, Galena Gulch in the background.	Consolation Peak summit area, Grand Prize Peak in the background.	Good view looking across at the northeast ridge of Grand Prize Peak.	Close up view of mountain goats on Consolation Peak.	Heading back into the trees at the bottom of Grand Prize Canyon.
Map of the route, 6 miles and 2800' gain round trip.The creek bottom near the start of the hike.Mouth of Grand Prize Canyon.Looking down on Grand Prize Canyon.Climbing the northeast ridge of Grand Prize Peak.View up the northeast ridge of Grand Prize Peak.Castle Peak in the distance, Consolation Peak in the near left.Boulder Mountains from the summit of Grand Prize Peak.Victory shot on the summit of Grand Prize Peak.Descending the northeast ridge of Grand Prize Peak.Headed up Consolation Peak, Galena Gulch in the background.Consolation Peak summit area, Grand Prize Peak in the background.Good view looking across at the northeast ridge of Grand Prize Peak.Close up view of mountain goats on Consolation Peak.Heading back into the trees at the bottom of Grand Prize Canyon.