Bull Mountain is the highpoint of Box Elder County in Utah and boasts 3744 feet of prominence. In researching winter/fall climbs, I discovered that this peak was within 3 hours of Boise.


Fresh off defeat the week before on Bull Mountain, Zach volunteered to go with me as I returned to the scene of the crime. This time the weather forecast had no mention of precipitation.

Zach and I left Boise at 5am, arriving at the trailhead just before 8:30am. We were snowshoeing up the trail the group of us had put in the week before by 8:50am.

This time, I was 100% prepared for what route I was going to take. So after 1.3 miles of hiking from the campground and at 6900 feet, we started looking for the trail that went up Lake Creek. We found it easily (hell, it is signed) and started heading up.

We had been on a beaten path, but were now on our own. We took turns breaking trail in the foot deep snow for the first 300 feet. Then we ran into some deadfall and route finding issues. Zach was more comfortable with me navigating this section. So for the next 800 feet, we would cross some deadfall, loose the trail temporarily, find the trail again and cruise, lose it in deadfall, find it again. It was tough to find the trail through this section and my efforts impressed Zach.

Once we hit 7900 feet, I noticed the trail (which was on the left side of the creek) appeared to cross the creek and go on the south side of the drainage (the right side of the creek). This was confirmed by a huge blaze on a tree near the creek.

I broke trail another 100 feet and then waited for Zach. Despite the downfall, we still gained 1000' that hour. We were looking good on time and the weather was gorgeous.

Zach led us through the next section, which was a side hilling adventure on a Quaking Aspen/sage brush slope. At the end of the slope, we re-entered the trees. We then decided to simply climb to the sunlight we could see above us. When we reached the next clearing, I spotted a path that could get us onto the summit ridge to the right of us. A clearing in the trees led to the base of it. Zach kicked tail on this portion and got us to the final 100' of rock and snow. He then found a safe route through that section and put us on the summit ridge and 900 feet from the top of the peak.


Now we were on gentle terrain and gained 900' in 1.3 miles. A section through the trees from 9300' to 9600' was particularly brutal, with deep snow. However, we pushed through and enjoyed rock hard snow on the wind-blown summit plateau.

The top is very flat, but sports a register and cairn. Based on the register, this is a VERY popular peak, although we couldn't find anyone in the register that had done the peak in the months of November through May. Views were great... the snow capped mountains of central Idaho, the Black Pine range, mountains around the Great Salt Lake, Pilot Peak, Cache Peak, etc.

It took us 4.5 hours up, we spent 30 minutes on top, and less than 2.5 hours down. The weather held and it turned out to be a great day!

Make your way to Malta, Idaho. From Malta, drive 23 mile south on Idaho 81. Turn west onto 3600 South Road (signed for Clear Creek Campground). Follow this road for 3.25 miles, then turn left (south) onto Clear Creek Road (also signed for Clear Creek Campground). Follow this road for 6 miles to the campground. The campground is easily reached by passenger car.

From the eastern end of the campground (near the washout in the road), head south on the ATV track. At .8 miles you will pass the sign for Bull Flat, continue heading south. At 1.25 miles, you will cross Lake Fork Creek. Just after this crossing, at 1.3 miles, you will see a sign for Lake Creek. Turn right (west) and follow this trail. We had trouble staying on this trail, as it was snow covered and encountered downfall. However, one key to know is that it stays on the left side of the creek until 7900 feet, where it crosses and follows the right side of the peak.

I am not sure what the trail does from there, but we made our way to 8400 feet, then hiked nearly due west to meet the ridge at 9000'. This was a good route.

Now head southwest toward the peak. You will cross forested slopes between 9300 and 9600'. After that, just angle toward the peak.