Sheep Mountain - White Knobs
This peak in the White Knobs of Idaho is a great scramble. It is another great peak that generally can be climbed early in the year and is good season opener. It provides some hardcore scrambling. From the start your goal is obvious but once on the mountain you are confronted with some route-finding challenges. Be careful as this peak is a bit cliffy and it is not difficult to find yourself off route.
Very few people venture into the Knobs so you are likely to have all the solitude you want.
Getting There
From Idaho Falls, ID drive West on Hwy 20 65 miles to Arco, ID and then 11 miles Northwest on Hwy 93 11 miles to the Antelope Creek Road turn off. Drive West on this road, paved for 2.7 miles and then on a good gravel road to the Waddoups Creek turnoff at just a little over 9 miles. Turn right onto this rough road and drive +- 3 miles or as far as your vehicle will take you. You will have Sheep Mountain in your sights by now; pick your spot to begin your climb. Total mileage from Hwy 93 should be right around +-12 miles. I recommend a 4 wheel drive.
Red Tape
Idaho has very few places that require a fee. This approach to Sheep Mountain requires no fees. Enjoy.
When To Climb
The road is open most of the winter months to the Waddoups Creek turnoff. The Waddoups road is not maintained and can be rather rough. Sheep Mountain can be climbed as early as April and as late as November in some years.
Camping
There are some marginal camping areas in the Waddoups Creek area and the Iron Bog Campground several miles further up the Antelope Creek Road. There are other undeveloped areas in the general vicinity to take advantage of also.
Mountain Conditions
Ketchum Ranger District
P.O. Box 2356
Ketchum, Idaho 83340 -----Phone (208) 622-5371----Fax (208) 622-3923
Lost River Ranger District
P.O. Box 507
Mackay, Idaho 83251----Phone (208) 588-3400----Fax (208) 588-2924
Mining in the White Knobs
Copper and small amounts of silver and gold were discovered in the eastern slopes of the White Knobs in 1879.
John W. Mackay of San Francisco , an important member of an collection of miners who had developed Virginia City's major Comstock property, became interested in the area and convinced the Union Pacific to build a line from Blackfoot, Idaho to his mine in the White Knobs. As a mining center, the town of Mackay rapidly increased to a population of approximately 1,200 when rail service arrived at the area in 1901.
Over the years the effect of the depression and increasing costs associated with processing low grade ore caused the gradual decline and end of the mining activity. There is ample evidence of the mining in and around the Rio Grande Canyon area just west of present day Mackay.
Very few people venture into the Knobs so you are likely to have all the solitude you want.
Getting There
From Idaho Falls, ID drive West on Hwy 20 65 miles to Arco, ID and then 11 miles Northwest on Hwy 93 11 miles to the Antelope Creek Road turn off. Drive West on this road, paved for 2.7 miles and then on a good gravel road to the Waddoups Creek turnoff at just a little over 9 miles. Turn right onto this rough road and drive +- 3 miles or as far as your vehicle will take you. You will have Sheep Mountain in your sights by now; pick your spot to begin your climb. Total mileage from Hwy 93 should be right around +-12 miles. I recommend a 4 wheel drive.
Red Tape
Idaho has very few places that require a fee. This approach to Sheep Mountain requires no fees. Enjoy.
When To Climb
The road is open most of the winter months to the Waddoups Creek turnoff. The Waddoups road is not maintained and can be rather rough. Sheep Mountain can be climbed as early as April and as late as November in some years.
Camping
There are some marginal camping areas in the Waddoups Creek area and the Iron Bog Campground several miles further up the Antelope Creek Road. There are other undeveloped areas in the general vicinity to take advantage of also.
Mountain Conditions
Ketchum Ranger District
P.O. Box 2356
Ketchum, Idaho 83340 -----Phone (208) 622-5371----Fax (208) 622-3923
Lost River Ranger District
P.O. Box 507
Mackay, Idaho 83251----Phone (208) 588-3400----Fax (208) 588-2924
Mining in the White Knobs
Copper and small amounts of silver and gold were discovered in the eastern slopes of the White Knobs in 1879.
John W. Mackay of San Francisco , an important member of an collection of miners who had developed Virginia City's major Comstock property, became interested in the area and convinced the Union Pacific to build a line from Blackfoot, Idaho to his mine in the White Knobs. As a mining center, the town of Mackay rapidly increased to a population of approximately 1,200 when rail service arrived at the area in 1901.
Over the years the effect of the depression and increasing costs associated with processing low grade ore caused the gradual decline and end of the mining activity. There is ample evidence of the mining in and around the Rio Grande Canyon area just west of present day Mackay.
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