I had limited time and really just wanted to get out on skis one last time this season. So I found a really mellow drainage in the Boulders to ascend. Like on Mount Spokane I threw my skis on my pack to expediate my descent. Mushroom Peak was sort of my goal, but I wasn't sure I had time to get to the top or if the route was going to be safe considering the current snow conditions.

I arrived at the trailhead, just before the first switchback on Galena summit, at 6am. It was clear and 25 degrees (in June!). The hike from the highway to the entrance of Westerhome Gulch wasn't bad, but I did posthole once or twice. In the gully the snow was rock hard. The gully was very narrow and was hardly steep. I made good time in it. Views around 8300' really open up and are tremendous. The gully passes just south of Mushroom Ridge and then curls toward the northeast side of the peak.

At around 9500' I realize my time was up. I also didn't really see a great route anyway, as the entire southeast face was sloughing off snow. So I enjoyed the sun and switched into my skis. From 9500' I got in about 400 feet of great, soft snow to ski on the south facing slopes. I then dropped into the gully and it was still icy. I skied all the way down to 7800'. The terrain down low was interesting on skis, as it was a game of dodge the limbs and buried trees while sliding around on mushy snow.

It was a fun day. It was 60 degrees when I reached the car... 35 degrees warmer after only 4 hours of time elapsing!!!

Park along ID 75 at a spot where you can best reach Westerhome Gulch. I chose a road at 7600' to do so. You could also do it from Galena Lodge.

From ID 75, make your way to Westerhome Gulch.