NOTE: The first mile of this hike is on private land that is posted NO TRESPASSING. We obtained permission from a ranch hand before starting our hike.

Peak 2887 had been on my fall/winter "to-do" list for several years. I liked it's sheer walls and how it hovered directly over the Snake River. While researching access on the interwebs, I came across an article about the peak. This article called it Montini Volcano and gave the history and geology of the volcano. Along with the history came instructions for hiking to the central plug. Now I was very interested!!!

Carrie had heard enough about it from me that she wanted to go with me as well. Finally we had a sunny Saturday free to go do it.

After a 1 hour and 15 minute drive from Boise we reached the starting point. Unlike in the book's description, we found the gate posted. After driving to the ranch and obtaining permission, we returned to the gate and parked.

We were both pleasantly surprised by how scenic this area is. Not only the reddish, layered, and steep walls of Montini Volcano, but the cliffs adjacent to the volcano on the west side of Sinker Creek were scenic as well.

In Sinker Creek Canyon, we hiked past old homesteads and corrals, eventually following an old wagon trail (it seemed too narrow for vehicles) through a gap that got us up on a plateau south of Montini Volcano.

Another pleasant mile of hiking got us to the top, where the cliffs and views of the Snake River and Owyhee Mountains were stunning.

Despite a temperature around 45 degrees and a steady wind, we still spent quite a bit of time on time taking in the views and exploring. We even joked a bit about the amount of trust it takes to be standing a foot away from a 500 foot cliff with your spouse of 20+ years within arms (push) reach... I guess we still love each other ;-)

This turned out to be a really really nice hike and a great day out with my wife!

Take Idaho 78 to Murphy, Idaho. Continue south of Murphy for approximately 3.5 miles, turning left (east) onto Murphy Flat Road. This turn is just before you reach mile marker 33.

The road starts out paved, but turns to a well-worn gravel road soon. After approximately 1.2 miles, the road swings straight north. In another half a mile, it turns east again. Continue along the road past the farms and fields until the road narrows and becomes less traveled. Soon it will trend a little more southeast and then drop steeply into Sinker Creek Canyon.

At the bottom of the canyon, just before you reach the entrance to Sierra Del Rio Ranch, you will see a gated road heading north toward the Snake River. This is the start of the route.

From the posted gate off the main road, we hiked up the old road that leads to the Snake River. We followed the road almost a mile. We then veered off to the right (east) following an old track that is mostly grown over. We crossed Sinker Creek and continued towards a gap in the canyon wall ahead (the old road also heads to this gap). Once through the gap, we turned north and climbed up to the plateau leading to the top of Montini Volcano and then followed our noses to the highest ground.