We had been planning a camping trip on the 4th of July weekend for several weeks. The week before the trip, I told some of my family members that I could get them up a 10,000 foot peak with a reasonable amount of effort and time. I figured a few of them would do it, but not many.

As the trip firmed up, my wife and I decided it would work best for the hike on Saturday. So on Saturday morning, we started getting ready. Nearly everyone in camp was interested in going on the hike. 13 of us were heading out. Everyone threw a couple of water bottles and a snack into my backpack. My only worry now was the weather... would it be cold and windy and make this day miserable?

As we reached the trailhead for Fourth of July Creek, we could see fresh snow on the White Clouds. Uh-oh! After a longer than planned drive to the trailhead, one in which Uncle Ryan taught my daughter how to drive a stick shift on a mountain road, we finally got to the trailhead and prepared for the hike.

Years ago, Zach and I followed a road down the southwest side of Blackman Peak after we had climbed the peak. It proved to be a great route then, so that was my intended route for the family outing. However, they decided to bulldoze that road last year. So what should have been easy footing was a pain in the arse. Around 9200' we finally reached a part of the decimated road where they had left a decent trail on the uphill side of it. From here, we cruised to a saddle at 9400' and just west of the summit.

Now the group could see the end goal. We started heading up with the white topped peak clearly visible above us. At around 10,000 feet, we took a long break (Mostly so they would drink water and get the weight off my back!). After our break, we left some water and Gatorade and snacks for my dad and sister, who were about 300 feet below us.

Everyone did great once we got above the tree-line. Everyone seemed impressed by the great views of the surrounding White Cloud mountains. The Sawtooth range was very scenic, with white peaks rising above the green Sawtooth Valley. We even marveled at the ski turns that a group had put on Fourth of July Peak, 2 miles south of us. All of this kept everyone's minds off the lack of oxygen.

The top was warm and nearly wind free. Of course the kids loved the benchmark and hundreds of lady bugs. We shot photos, enjoyed the views, played in the snow, and a few of them ate lady bugs for some reason. Once my dad and sister arrived, we snapped a group shot. My daughter and Jennifer (oldest niece) were a bit disappointed in the weak cell reception we had on the summit.

My nephew, who decided to turn back before the summit did some exploring while we were climbing Blackman and found an old steel trap that still works.

After the hike, we hit Smiley Creek Lodge. Here we enjoyed great, but expensive beer. This is the prettiest I have EVER seen the Sawtooths (at least the southern part). You really need to get up there in the next week of two to see how green it is!

The pictures and talk around the campfire was about the hike, even the next day. Guess I will have to find something that cool for them next year. Way to go family, I am proud! In the end, we got Tami (sister), Kimmie (niece), Ashley (niece), Jennifer (niece), Lexie (daughter), Ken (dad), Mike (brother-in-law), Ryan (wife's brother), Ryan's friend Tennille, and Ryan's dog Brodie.

Take Idaho 75 north over Galena summit. Take the signed turnoff for the Fourth of July Creek Road, which heads east into the White Cloud Mountains. After about 10 miles, you reach the end of the road at the Fourth of July Creek trailhead. You'll find plenty of parking, a trail register, and a bathroom at the trailhead.

We followed the road on the southwest side of the peak (shown on the topo). At 9400' we left the road and followed the southwest ridge to the summit.