After great days on Gilmore Peak and Portland Mountain, we left our pristine camping at Meadow Lake and headed to do Meadow Peak near Bell Mountain.

Meadow Peak is a unique mountain on the east side of the Lemhi range, just east of Bell Mountain. Meadow is unique for the flat steps leading to the summit. The first step is a large flat area at 9200'. After a steep 1000' feet, the next step is a large meadowy area at 10260'. Beyond the second step is the summit.

We got a very early start to beat the heat since we were starting this climb 1500' below the elevation we'd camped that night.

We started up the lightly forested slopes heading to Point 9215 and the first flat spot. The humidity on the slope was killer. After our first break at 8700' the wind blew more and cooled us down.

We saw some elk near the saddle at 9200'. The 1000' separating us and the next flat spot looked less menacing from here and even like it might have some vegetation. Sure enough it was less steep and loose than expected. It still seemed to take forever.

The second flat spot at 10600' was very scenic. Little flowers dotted the landscape of this very flat bench. Beyond the bench, Meadow Peak rose. After a short break, we crossed the meadow and started up the peak. We were astounded by the views of Bell Mountain from the top! It was our 4th peak of the weekend and we were tired and needed to get back, so after a summit shot and quick bite we headed down.

It was a great end to a tremendous 3 days in the mountains!

From Idaho 28, turn off onto the well signed Coal Kiln Road. Follow the road less than .5 miles, then turn left onto a un-improved road heading southwest across the desert. After 4.3 miles, this rutted road (requires high clearance), reaches a junction near Box Springs. Turn left onto this road and follow it about .6 miles to another spring (this one un-named on the quad). There were a few ditches here, so we didn't continue.

From the un-named spring at 7560', we headed south, passing by Mc Coy Spring, then crossing Mc Coy Canyon. We then followed elk trails through the trees, then open slopes to Point 9215. We crossed the saddle and then headed straight up to the second bench on the peak at 10267 feet. From Point 10267, we crossed a flat "meadow" and then finished off the last 350'.