Elk Mountain is located on the northern edge of central Idaho’s majestic Sawtooth Mountains. Found just north of Stanley Lake, there’s nothing particularly majestic about Elk Mountain itself, but its north ridge does offer up some good views of some of the peaks to the south. Also nothing glamourous about bushwhacking up this peak during the summer, but Elk Mountain does make for a sporting winter snowshoe ascent option. With a plowed parking lot at the Park Creek Overlook nordic ski area (thanks to the Sawtooth Ski Club), the summit can be reach in about 6 miles and 1400’ of elevation gain round trip.

I was looking for a good snowshoe destination to ring in the new year, and Elk Mountain fit the bill. I was joined by Margo & Steve, and Steve G. We were happy to find plenty of parking at the trailhead, but unhappy that it was colder than expected, negative 17’F!

We bundled up and started moving, thankful for the groomed trail the first mile or so to help us warm up. After a flat approach, we arrived at the northwest corner of the mountain, and started heading up into the trees.

The snow clinging to the pine trees made for a very scenic climb, and we were able to find terrain that wasn’t too steep along the way. Once on the summit ridge, the grade became even less steep, and the views opened up.

The final stretch to the summit was very scenic. We could see across the valley to the White Clouds, and also some of the big Sawtooth peaks to the southwest. It was now warmer than down at the trailhead, but we still didn’t linger too long while eating lunch and snapping photos.

On the way back down we mainly just retraced out path while enjoying the scenery along the way. Round trip was just over 6 miles and 1400’ of elevation gain in 5 hours of snowshoeing. What a great way to ring in 2023!

Map of the route, 6 miles and 1400' gain round trip.	Negative 17 degrees at the trailhead!	Trailhead sign.	Groomed trail to start, Elk Mountain in the background.	View of McGowan Peak from the flats.
Starting up into the trees.	Sun shining through the snowy trees.	Path under a widowmaker.	Open terrain on the summit ridge.	Northern Sawtooths: Williams, Thompson, Alpine, Mystery, McGowan.
White Clouds peak across the valley.	Group shot on the summit of Elk Mountain.	Hoar frost near the summit.	Heading back down.	Out of the trees, all flat hiking the rest of the way back.
Map of the route, 6 miles and 1400' gain round trip.Negative 17 degrees at the trailhead!Trailhead sign.Groomed trail to start, Elk Mountain in the background.View of McGowan Peak from the flats.Starting up into the trees.Sun shining through the snowy trees.Path under a widowmaker.Open terrain on the summit ridge.Northern Sawtooths: Williams, Thompson, Alpine, Mystery, McGowan.White Clouds peak across the valley.Making our way toward the summit.Group shot on the summit of Elk Mountain.Hoar frost near the summit.Heading back down.Out of the trees, all flat hiking the rest of the way back.