I was a last minute addition to a larger group Michael had organized, including Alex, Steve, John F, Splattski, and Jeff. Add in three pooches and we were a formidable party of ten! We piled in two vehicles from Boise, and then met Jeff on Antelope Creek Road. With 4+ hours of driving each way, the windshield rule would definitely be violated! But hard to complain when offered a chance to climb a high peak in November.

There is a well maintained trail leading to Iron Bog Lake. It climbed fairly steeply from the trailhead, but then leveled off a bit, which helped lessen the huffing and puffing, and made it easier to soak in the views. It was a beautiful clear and crisp November morning in the mountains.

We found Iron Bog Lake to be entirely frozen over due to an extended cold snap leading up to our hike. We didn’t linger at the lake since dogs and icy lakes don’t mix, but we did stop just above the lake to remove some layers and chart our course.

The best way up wasn’t obvious, but we just followed our noses until we found an obvious gully that led us gradually up the south slopes of Iron Bog Peak. Soon enough we were up on the summit ridge, then curled westward to the highpoint.

Views from the top were great. It was my first time in the area, so pretty cool to see some new mountains and a different vantage point of other familiar ones. We took an extended lunch break to enjoy the views, sunshine, and almost no wind. Perfect conditions.

We basically retraced our path back to the trailhead, at a leisurely pace to enjoy the views and conversation. Once back at the trailhead, we lingered for quite a while waiting for one of the dogs, and then made the long drive home. Round trip was 6 miles, 2900’ elevation gain, in 5 hours of hiking. Good times with a good group of guys.

Map of the route, 6 miles and 2900' gain round trip.	Leaving the trailhead.	Great views as the trail climbs.	Iron Bog Lake was frozen over.	We climbed this gully on the south face.
Top of the gully.	Final stretch to the summit.	Summit view northwest. The main Pioneer crest above Muldoon Canyon.	Group shot on the summit of Iron Bog Peak.	Another view of the frozen Iron Bog Lake on the way back down.
Map of the route, 6 miles and 2900' gain round trip.Leaving the trailhead.Great views as the trail climbs.Early view of Iron Bog Peak.Iron Bog Lake was frozen over.We climbed this gully on the south face.Top of the gully.Final stretch to the summit.Summit view northwest. The main Pioneer crest above Muldoon Canyon.Group shot on the summit of Iron Bog Peak.Another view of the frozen Iron Bog Lake on the way back down.