Scout Mountain Route

• When to go: Early summer is spectacular. The wildflowers and greenness of the landscape are inviting. The trails will be in the best shape of the entire year after the snow comes off and they’ve gotten a chance to turn from mud to perfect dirt. June is a good month. As summer heats up, the route becomes hot, dry, and blown out. In the fall, the aspen groves put on a show, just watch the forecast for high-elevation snowfall.
• Logistics: This route is rather straightforward. Gibson Jack trailhead is easy to locate and offers a great start and end point. Looking at the map, you can see there are a number of areas where the route could be shortened.
• Wildlife: This area has a lot of cattle grazing and human use. Because of this, I recommend being conscious of the potential for bad water. Filter carefully. With that said, please respect all water sources and don’t add to the problem. Moose are common across the entire range. If you encounter moose, please respect their space. They can be dangerous if threatened. As seen in the photos, I encountered a trio of moose while scouting the route.
• Getting here: This route is located just a 10-minute drive from downtown Pocatello. The cities of Boise and Salt Lake are just a few hours away as well.

• There are many options for dispersed camping along the route. You should plan ahead and know the areas you’ll be passing through.
• Elk Meadows offers nice dispersed camping. This plateau has little water, plan accordingly.
• Scout Mountain Campground, tucked in the trees, is a nice place for designated campsites, water pumps, and pit toilets.

• There are no resupply options along this route. There is a lot of water in the area, but keeping an eye on water sources is a good idea. Some stretches can be hot and dry, especially in peak summer and early fall.
• Although this area has a lot of springs and small streams, water can be hard to find in summer and fall. I have marked the most reliable water sources.

Counter-clockwise Summary

The route begins with some rocky traversing across Sterling Justice Trail before a stiff climb to Kinport Peak. Enjoy the views of the surrounding landscape before dropping into Midnight Creek. After descending, another short but steep climb into Elk Meadows is rewarded with lush meadows and cool forests.

Across the meadows, a ribbon of trail called Fenceline will connect you to the top of Corral Creek. This ripping descent will leave you with a smile. Jump across the pavement, head up the gravel road, and get ready for the biggest climb of the weekend. Settle in for roughly 3,000 feet of ascent, some of it hike-a-bike, but all of it beautiful. Your climb is rewarded with sweeping views of the valley below and the Crestline Trail, a classic. As you finish Crestline, turn toward Scout Mountain Campground.

Leaving the campground, you’ll warm up with a few miles of climbing before reaching the longest descent of the route, Valve House. This trail seems to never end as it drops back to Mink Creek. After topping off on water, you’ll follow more singletrack into the east side of Elk Meadows. Your ride ends with the Gibson Jack descent back to your car. A supremely fun end to your adventure!

Additional Resources

• Scout Mountain Ultras