I was hoping to get out for a bigger trip, but work requirements brought me to the Hailey area at the end of the week. So I stayed over Friday night and got up early Saturday morning to scramble up a couple of 10000' peaks near Trail Creek Summit.

It was 7:30am and 41 degrees when I reached the trailhead at Trail Creek Summit. I was a little shocked to see 5 or 6 vehicles already at the trailhead.

I was heading up Summit Creek Trail for the third time (first time was for Phi Kappa Mountain and Summit Creek Peak and the second time was for Devil's Bedstead West).

It was a beautiful morning, chilly with a steady breeze, making for pleasant hiking in the shade of the canyon. I'd like to say I was making great time, but my progress was slow.

I finally arrived at the 9500' saddle between SV Peak (Peak 10419) and Phi Kappa Mountain and stopped for a break, taking in the great views of Devil's Bedstead West. Here I met a gal with 3 miniature dachshunds. As a former owner of 2 of them, I was surprised they had hiked so far in. I also found out where all the vehicle occupants from the trailhead were headed, as Devil's Bedstead West had more than a dozen climber's ascending it's slopes. It was fun watching their ant-like progress as they were silhouetted on the ridge.

After my break, I followed the trail as it dropped into the Kane Creek drainage. The trail is faint in spots, but it eventually cuts across the base of the north face of Right Kane Peak and leads to the 10,000 foot saddle to the west of Devil's Bedstead West.

Once at the saddle, Right Kane Peak is a simple 15 minute walk away. The top of Right Kane Peak had a small register and cairn left by Rick Baugher.

I then studied the route to my proposed second peak of the day, the pointed and higher SV Peak (Peak 10419). I followed the ridge to the saddle between the 2 peaks and then started my way up toward the top of SV Peak. The terrain is easy until about 200 feet below the summit. At that point, I followed ramps along a steep rock wall that angled toward the top of the peak. Eventually this led me to a steep gully that led directly to the high point. Instead of climbing in the choss of the gully, I found it easier to ascend some good rock climber's right of the gully.

I was impressed with the rocky nature of SV Peak and enjoyed the challenge it provided.

The ascent had taken me 4 hours. I checked in with my wife and then dropped straight down the north ridge to the Summit Creek Trail, regaining it at the 9500' saddle.

Here I ran into the climber's returning from the top of Devil's Bedstead West. Turns out it was the 20th anniversary climb for "Climb for a Cure", a cancer fundraising climb.

I then started my trip out on the trail. I immediately started passing people about every 1/8 of a mile all the way to the trailhead. In all, I counted 42 people on the 4 mile stretch! Some people might be bothered by the crowds, but I thought it was cool that so many were out enjoying the Idaho mountains on this fine August day.

From Ketchum/Sun Valley, follow Trail Creek Road to the Trail Creek Summit. Look for the trailhead on the right hand side of the road. There is a information sign and large trailhead parking lot.

Trail Creek Road is ok for sedans, but take it slow to avoid cutting a tire on the sharp rocks!

I followed the Summit Creek Trail to the saddle between SV Peak (Peak 10419) and Phi Kappa Mountain. The trail then drops into the Kane Creek drainage. The trail is hard to follow in spots, but it heads toward the saddle at 10080 feet between Right Kane Peak and The Devil's Bedstead.

Once in the saddle, head west and immediately start climbing to the summit of Right Kane Peak. You only need to gain about 300 feet and the terrain is good.

To then collect SV Peak, continue along the ridge and drop down to the saddle between Right Kane Peak and SV Peak. Then ascend the south ridge of SV Peak.

Near the top, there are some class 3 sections.