Each year, we have a family tradition where we camp at Baker Creek north of Ketchum for 4th of July weekend. Part of the tradition is to get a hike in with the family. The tradition started 5 years ago with a family hike to the top of Blackman Peak. What hike we are going to do has become as popular of a topic at camp as fishing and smores.

The following year we attempted Champion Peak (Peak 10181) in the White Cloud mountains. The stats for the trip seemed fine, with about 1500' of gain. However, one steep section brought on some tears from one of the young kids and put me in the dog house with my wife (if looks could kill, I wouldn't be here right now!).

The years after, we kept it mellow... Baker Lake, The Cross, etc...

This year we decided to return to Champion Peak, but we decided in camp that only those over the age of 15 years old could go on the trip. The adults had heard the horror story, so none of them were interested, which meant there were 4 of us: myself, my daughter Lexie, my niece Ashley, and nephew Dylan. All 3 of them were on the ill-fated trip 4 years ago and wanted another shot at the peak.

We left camp and drove to the same location we started before, the saddle between Pole Creek and Germania Creek. It was a nice day, though a bit warm as we took off through flower and grass covered slopes. Soon we were at the base of the steep section that caused all of the trouble on our last outing. This time, the kids breezed right through this 200 foot section, which got us to 9400' and on the easier south ridge of the peak.

The first quarter of a mile is on rugged terrain, but a goat trail helped us through most of that. Then the final push to the summit was just a grunt. The kids did great (only mild swearing could be heard) and soon we were standing on top. The kids enjoyed the views on the summit and we had cell service, so they took to posting photos to Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat. As is also tradition, we had to find a snow drift to have our annual 4th of July snowball fight in as well. As luck would have it, we found a nice one just below the summit.

The hike down went well. I even won the bet that the steep section would take 10 minutes or less (it only took 8). The kids seemed to truly enjoy the scenery and flowers.

The next day, the younger and older members of the family enjoyed a easier trip to Titus Lake near Galena Summit.

Pole Creek Road is accessed from Idaho 75. The turnoff for the road is .5 miles south of Smiley Creek Lodge.

Follow Pole Creek Road for 9 miles from the highway to the saddle separating the Pole Creek and Germania Creek drainages. The road is well graded and not to steep for the first 6.5 miles, until the turnoff for Grand Prize Gulch. After that, it narrows, steepens, and becomes rocky. It's still suitable for a vehicle with medium clearance, but probably not a sedan.

At 9 miles from the highway and an elevation of around 8550', the road flattens a bit. Find a turnout on the left side of the road and park.

The hike starts out at the saddle between the Pole Creek and Germania Creek drainages at around 8600'. Basically, we climbed a steep slope to get onto the flat ridge containing Point 9137 the leads to the saddle between Champion Peak and Peak 10041.

At 9200', the route steepens. At 9400', you are now on the south ridge of Champion Peak. Turn north. This initial 1/4 of a mile is rocky, but just locate goat trails (usually climber's left of the ridge). Once through the rocks, it is a simple ridge walk to the top of the peak.