Hike up Wedge Butte

Photos

Trip Report

I was working in Hailey and wanted to find a peak I could do on the way back to Boise that would get me some exercise, but still fit into what was a busy schedule at work. I dug around and came up with Wedge Butte along Highway 75 between Bellevue and Shoshone. I remembered the peak being someone rocky and pointed near the top... should be fun!

I had a morning meeting in Hailey and once I finished it drove to the base of Wedge Butte. It was a gloomy day with a storm moving in, but the snow wasn't that deep, so I was encouraged by that.

I parked just off the road at the spot elevation of 4801 shown on the Shoshone Ice Cave topographic map. I followed the road about 1/3rd of a mile, then angled up the slope to my north. I aimed for the saddle between the smaller point just west of Wedge Butte and Wedge Butte itself. Then I could see the route in front of me... after a steep pull to the base of the rocks around the summit, it looked like a fun scramble for the final 50 feet to the top.

So up the steep section I went. I made it to the rocks and could see the cross adorning the summit. I tried to keep the climbing as steep as possible, but one steep, icy section right below the top forced me climber's left. A few more feet and I was on top.

Despite being a gray day, I had pretty good views of the Snake River Plain to the south, foothills to my east and west, and the Big Wood River Valley to my north. It had spit some snow on and off, but the weather held. It was a bit windy and cold, but not too bad on either.

For the descent, I just retraced my steps to the saddle, but then followed the drainage down to the road, then followed the road to the car.

This is actually a really fun climb and is so close to the road that it would be doable in even heavy snow conditions. Add it to your winter list for sure!

Getting There

I parked at spot elevation 4801 where a road leaves Idaho 75 heading east. This location is 7 miles south of the Idaho 75/US 20 intersection.

Hiking Directions

I basically parked at the road that leaves Idaho 75 spot at elevation 4801. I hiked east for about 1/3rd of a mile, then made my way to the saddle between the point immediately west of Wedge Butte and Wedge Butte. Then I followed the southwest slopes to the summit.