We were at Meadow Lake to be filmed while climbing Gilmore Peak. We decided to climb Peak 10723 and Portland Mountain to the north of Meadow Lake. We would have done these the prior day, but the day was consumed with the filming on Gilmore.

We got an early start since it was predicted to be hot. We hiked the trail section (1000 feet) in less than an hour. After watching a mountain goat on the ridge and chatting with a fellow hiker, we turned north and followed the ridgeline to Peak 10723. We found a cairn on top. We ate some food and enjoyed what was another beautiful day.

We now turned our attention to Portland Mountain, which was about 1.5 miles to our northeast. We descended toward Point 10666, went up and over that point, then down to the saddle between 10666 and Portland. Portland Mountain looked cool from the saddle and we excitedly headed up it.

After some easy scrambling we made the ridge top. But it wasn't the peak yet... that was 3 or 4 false summits away. So we continued boulder hopping until John stopped in front of us and informed us he found a benchmark.

The views from Portland Mountain were great. We spent a long time on top of Portland... most of us even took off our boots. We had noticed a dark cloud off toward Borah that was approaching. We decided we'd better get moving. About 1/2 way down to the saddle we saw virga coming out of the cloud. At the saddle we heard thunder. Based on the cloud, the group decided to head down and around the east side of 10666. I wasn't convinced the storm was that close or even producing cloud-to-ground lightning, so I shrugged off that extra hiking and quickly re-climbed Point 10666 and then descended the steep slopes back down to camp.

That afternoon it rained off and on. Dylan and I headed to Leadore, where we got some ice and beer and snuck in a burger at the Silver Dollar. The Silver Dollar is a must see... great food and the waitress/cook/hostess/owner is a hoot! I enjoy seeing new towns, so ticking Leadore off the list was nice.

It poured in Leadore and most of the way back to Meadow Lake. It stopped before dinner and we had another fine cuisine at camp. After some rain and wind, it cleared off around midnight.

Make your way to Meadow Lake. The Meadow Lake turnoff is located 17 miles south of Leadore or 2 miles north of Gilmore Summit on Idaho 28. Turn west and follow a steep, but very good road to the campground at 9100'. The turnoff is well signed.

The trailhead is located at the western end of the campground and is marked by a small sign.

Follow the trail leaving Meadow Lake (not shown on the quad). The trail uses frequent switchbacks through the timber and eventually pops out into the rocky basin just north of Gilmore Peak. The trail dies for a bit, but follow cairns to find it as it starts switch backing up the hillside due west of the lake. It eventually reaches the Lemhi Divide at the 10,160' saddle between Gilmore Peak and Peak 10723. From the saddle, follow a goat trail heading north on the ridge. Continue following the ridge as it curves toward Peak 10723.

We continued on the ridge toward Point 10666, then dropped to the saddle between 10666 and Portland Mountain. We then headed north to the summit of Portland Mountain.