A Trail Tail

From the uncairned summit of East Trail Tail el 8739' this view on 5/27/09 looks west across the upper Trail Creek drainage to West Trail Tail. From Fish Creek Summit, East Trail Tail is a highly scenic ridge walk of the half day variety.

On the other hand, plan on a full day's march to get to West Trail Tail, one of the last peaks to be climbed on the Great Lost Divide. With a prominence of only 380'~, still, there are no higher southern Pioneer peaks downrange of here. On this 6/24/09 visit, no evidence was found to suggest any previous visitors had been here. Wildlife observed: deer, antelope, elk, kestrel, cony. The yellow ridgetop bloom is draba. The rock is andesite. Snake River Plain is hazy blue in the background.

End of the road.... International's 6 banger lorry could take punishment, but even so, how did it ever get this far up Antelope Creek? The hike in involved 3 "criver" crossings (criver= creek that flows like a wild river).

And, where does all that water go? Combine a big snowmelt with near record June rains and here's what you get. Big Lost River gushes down its normal dry bed into the desert. From the US 20/26 rest area a robust flow like this occurs maybe only once or twice a decade. At the sinks, near the south point of Lemhi Range, an ephemeral playa lake will form. Photo 6/24/09.