Hawley Mountain is a peak just east of Horseshoe Bend, Idaho in the Boise Mountains. It has 2,000 feet of prominence. 2,000 feet of prominence is kind of the magical number for some peak baggers, myself included. So thus, I have always wanted to get to the top of the peak.

About 10 years ago I planned to climb the peak. I drove up in the fall and parked about 8 miles from the peak. A fog bank rolled in and with it being hunting season, I freaked out a bit not wanting to be shot and retreated to my vehicle.

About 5 years ago I returned. This time it was again fall. I don't know what happened, but I stopped well away from the peak on the approach road. I needed to get back to town, so I clambered up a high spot (which I later found out was a real peak).

Fast forward to 2014. I was heading out of town, but snuck out for a few hours. I approached Harris Creek Summit from Horseshoe Bend. I had forgotten how long and dusty the drive is. This time I wasn't going to leave without the summit! So I drove to where I could break a leg and still hobble to the top, only about 1/2 a mile away. I then walked the 15 minutes to the top.

The view is surprising. It was a beautiful, clear day and given the prominence of the peak you could see far in all directions. That coupled with the flower display near the summit made the drive worth it for sure.

There is a monument to someone that passed away a bit south of the lookout and the survey marker a bit north of the top. You can walk up the stairs to the lookout, but you can't get in as it is boarded up.

Make your way to Harris Creek Summit either from the east and Placerville or the west and Horseshoe Bend. Both roads are high speed gravel and well traveled.

My times from east Boise were 1:30 minutes via Horseshoe Bend and 1:05 minutes coming out the east side via Grimes Creek.

Once at Harris Creek Summit, turn north onto FS 374 (Hawley Mountain Road). This road leads to the summit in 10 narrow and sometimes rough miles. I think a non-high clearance vehicle would make it nearly to the top, but the final switchback (1/5 of a mile from the lookout) is quite rocky. You would have to back up a long ways to retreat if you decide you can't make it as well.

I cheated and only walked a mile total, parking near a spring near the last road the forks off Hawley Mountain before the summit (this is shown on the quad).

*** Be advised that Google Maps and other GPS software want to take you up Porter Creek if coming in from the Horseshoe Bend side. This road is no longer open to the public! I made that mistake years ago and my GPS tried sending me that way again. ***

You can drive to the top or park somewhere along NF 374 and walk to the top. I drove nearly to the top because I didn't want to be shutout a 3rd straight time.