Shadow Range

Until recently I've had trouble compartmentalizing a group of 20 some central Idaho peaks ranging in elevation from 7500' to 10000'. These mostly sagebrush mountains lie in the rain shadow NE of the Boulder Mountains and are overshadowed by the Lost River Range further to the east. It is my contention that these mountains, geographically and physiographically, form a separate mountain group. The name SHADOW RANGE is proposed.

The Shadow Range has a diamond shaped configuration. The southern part of the diamond is defined by North Fork Big Lost River. Proceeding north, the range boundary encompasses Herd Peak, goes down Herd Creek, and continues down East Fork Salmon River to the confluence of the main Salmon. From the Salmon River at Round Valley (Challis area), the range front parallels Highway 93 over Willow Creek Summit, then turns SW at Thousand Springs Valley to meet up again with Big Lost River.

Most of the Shadow Range is on BLM land and is traversed by two dirt roads- Spar Canyon (good), and Walker Way (not so good). The Shadow Range is perhaps most recognized as free range cattle country, but it is also key habitat for wild horses. The open terrain is suitable for three season hiking. The scenic value and solitude are high.

By elevation, here is a Shadow Range peak list. The symbol (B) signifies the summit was occupied for triangulation by USGS Topographical Engineer TM Bannon ca 1914. Bannon didn't use a specific name for this range, other than to identify it as the main divide between Big Lost River and Salmon River. With the possible exception of Lone Pine Peak, which is visited by an occasional Challis local, this is not an area frequented by peak baggers. In fact, more than a couple of summits were found free of human imprint. For this reason I have taken the liberty to use my own peak names.

View SW to West Jerry el 9977'. To get here you will immerse yourself in a roadless area most Idahoans don't know exists. Summit cairn placed 6/30/08.

View SW to Anderson Peak el 9339' on 4/3/07. Joe Anderson was an 1880's freighter who ran wagons between Blackfoot and Challis. It is believed Lee Morrison took vertical angle measurements from this peak in 1929 that determined Beauty/Borah Peak to be Idaho's highest mountain.

View N to distinctive Lone Pine Peak el 9658' from South Summit 9381' on 10/7/08. Got within whispering range of 4 wild horses on my hike in from Bradshaw Basin. Judging from the many massive piles of horse droppings these well fed hay burners have found their horse heaven here in the Shadow Range. The animals we see today are probably descendants of escapes from the freighting days of the 19th century.

The penchant for humans to say "Look, I was here" transcends space, time, and circumstance. We are hard wired to announce ourselves. From an unnamed summit just under 8000' elevation the view is to Spar Mountain in the Shadow Range. The small rock pile shown here is likely of prehistoric origin. The placed rocks, over time, have settled deeply into the soil. An age estimate of 1000-2000 years is entirely possible. This particular summit is sprinkled with eye catching shards of green chert, suitable for making attractive necklace beads.