The early spring thaw got me thinking....is anyone else thinking about this yet?

Yes i was also thinking about it. Maybe we need to start throwing out ideas on peaks? Anyone have a peak in mind they want to hike.

Dan what days are good for you?

We should hike Mt Church hehe

Jacob R.

Saddle Mountain all the way!

I am all in.

Unless work gets in the way, I'm in. Any peak is fine.

Definitely on my mind... been discussing it with the committee.

The date that works best for me is May 12. This also is later in the year, so less worry about snow blocking access.

Peak thoughts:
1. Invisible (option for Sheepshead)
2. Wildhorse Lookout
3. Peak 10027 (Sawtooths, with option for McDonald)
4. Saddle

Thoughts on those choices?

Those choices look tasty enough. Loving the spring skiing (if it lasts that long), I would choose 10027 of those. Maybe Big Black Dome would be more of a full meal in the Wildhorse lookout area. It would probably still accommodate skiers and is likely to be a straightforward hike for hikers at that time. That is unless this April/May is like the past couple of years, in which case it will be winter conditions. Cache Peak approached from the Castle Rock State Park trails also looks like an interesting hike, though I would doubt much snow will left there on May 12. Shelly/Lime etc is also of interest to me and those may have good skiing then.

Your peak suggestions are great. However, I have done Big Black Dome and Shelley and I don't repeat non-Boise area peaks (I know, selfish!).

I vote for Saddle but I'd be happy with any of those choices. Not sure about Wildhorse Lookout though. I'm actually not sure where that is? Pioneers I assume.

i am not that keen on saddle. It seems to be 12 hours any way you look at it...

From my experience, Invisible and Saddle are similar in times (7 hours). They took less time than our group climb of Al West (9+ hours). (although seasons and conditions vary...)
Here are TRs or SP pages for each of Dan's suggestions

Peak 10027
http://www.splattski.com/2012/pk10027/index.html

Invisible
http://www.splattski.com/2010/invisible/index.html

Saddle
http://www.splattski.com/2011/saddle/index.html

Wildhorse
http://www.summitpost.org/wildhorse-peak/154329

The Wildhorse looks like a great group hike! 5K gain on the others is a big day for a large group!

10027 is not a 5k gain, it is 3k.

There is a route on Saddle that is only 7 miles and 4000' of gain.

I will give you that Invisible might be a bit much for a group hike.

Thanks for the beta. Folks i know said saddle was 12 hr and a bushwack slog....

Peak 10027 is only 3k. Remember that our trip started from the highway, adding 2 or 3 mile search way. And according to SawtoothSean there is a trail part of the way up the basin:

http://www.network54.com/Forum/105717/message/1121317238/McDonald+Pk+-+Peak+10027

Thanks splattski for the trip reports. They all look like a lot of fun. Ill hike any of them. I am planning on going were ever you guys want to go as long as i can get the day off work.

Jacob R.

Dan, I'll have to check with my wife (and son's mother) since Sunday is Mother's Day. Any other weekends available? It would be nice to make this a multi-day outing...

Mother's Day is just a day on the calendar, celebrate it the next weekend

It's one of my favorite holidays!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X0DeIqJm4vM

Wow - that was good! Didn't see that one on SNL!

I guess after something like that I have to be in.

My Mom hates Mothers Day. "everyone lies to me that day and they say such nice things they don't really mean." So I'm in for climbing, LOL.
Anyone up for a Saturday climb?
Kevin

Yep, it is Saturday. I was hoping to make this a two day event.

Let me know your thoughts by voting.

I cast my vote for Saddle, However I would like to change it to 10027 if possible....

bump