McLeod Mountain

Starting at the Goat Creek SnoPark, FR 52 is rough in places as it gets lots of traffic.  Once the 5225 turns left and we continue on the 52 mainline, the gravel is in better condition, but with notable drop offs down to the creek very far below.  We took a left on the 500 spur, which quickly got pretty rocky, making us glad for high clearance and stout tires.  Don’t worry, the bad part only lasts a short while.  We parked at about 5300’ where spur 560 is blocked by large rocks and spur 580 drops down to a very rough crossing of White Face Creek.  


This area was impacted by the McLeod fire of 2018, and while there is only one stretch where there are plenty of charred trees and ground, there are many other areas where there are fire line scars with remediated cat tracks.  Plus there are cattle grazing here.  We only saw four actual specimens, but we saw lots of sign!  

From where we parked, we just headed directly uphill, working around down logs but all pretty easy.  The ridge, as most ridges do, has steeper bits and gentler bit, but definitely gets more interesting above the fire impacted section with more open areas and meadows, and distant views out in many directions.  At about 7500’, there is a section of lovely peach colored talus, easy enough, and then a sub peak to up and over, before the final push to the summit.  The top has a benchmark, and a sharp drop off northwest down into the Pasayten wilderness.  Take time to contemplate  future adventures and how the various drainages come together.  Then, retrace your steps back to the car.  Take in Peak 7670 if you have time, which we did not today.  Guess I have to be willing to drive that road again and explore more widely sometime soon!