Related: 
Bald Mountain via Station Creek, Garden Valley, Idaho
​Jackson Peak Lookout: 8,124' - Boise National Forest 
Wolf Mountain and Point 8,610 via Jennie Lake 

Overview
What it lacks in summit grandeur, Gallagher Peak rewards with solitude and a grand view of the rugged Salmon River Mountains, the second largest of the Idaho Batholith mountain groups.  The combination of lush wildflower-filled forest and open grassy slopes undisturbed by fire is the most remarkable feature of this short and steep hike.  You won't arrive to a towering granite outcrop; instead, the partially-hidden summit benchmark sits under shrubs.  The forest understory was so abundant that we got stuck in thickets a few times trying to navigate.   When we hiked in August, large patches of yellow, orange and crimson buckwheat wildflowers topped granite outcrops on the ridge.  The Boise National Forest Large Fire History map - 1980 - 2018, shows that Gallagher Peak has managed to escape past large fires.  

The Salmon River Mountain Range covers a massive territory in central Idaho - 8,900 square miles.  The main Salmon River and its tributaries defines the boundaries of its six subranges.   Numerous waterways form a natural maze through Idaho Batholith rocks that ultimately drain into the Snake River.  The Middle Fork of the Salmon River is famous world-wide for its week-long raft trips through mostly untouched wilderness.  The Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness covers nearly 2 million acres of the Salmon River Mountains.   Long gravel and dirt roads lead into its interior; some peaks are close to roads, like Gallagher, and some peaks take days to find.   
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A worthy goal would be to scale all of the Salmon River Mountain Range's summits (I lost track when counting on Tom Lopez's list - it was near 300!).  Or maybe conquer its highest:  White Mountain at 10,442' - a relatively easy access out of Challis, Idaho.  Many of its tallest peaks are in the eastern section of this range.  A list of its peaks, access and climbing information is posted on Idaho:  A Climbing Guide. ​

We arrived at the most unassuming summit - no grand granite spires here!   We uncovered the geological survey marker.   The blue and green undulating mountains of Boise National Forest surrounded us.  Numerous creeks with great names such as Deadwood Jim, Whiskey, Slaughterhouse, Josie, Applejack, Cup and Black Bear have cut deep valleys into these granitic mountains.  Bald Mountain, a summit we climb via Station Creek lies to the west.  

We found a faint trail descending the ridge with less vegetation.  We were too far to the left (west) of the ridge on the way up; stay on the top of the ridge.  Care must be taken to go down the correct ridge when you get to Point 5578; head down the due south ridge and not onto the due east ridge, otherwise you might end up in Pine Creek Campground.  Out of the healthy forest, down to Little Gallagher Creek through tall and thick grasses.

Another Boise National Forest peak under our belts with a few scrapes to prove it.  Getting to know and appreciate Idaho one hike at a time.   I wonder what workers in the Civilian Conservation Corps thought of this wilderness, and if they climbed this peak.   Donald Tanasoca, CCC worker from New Jersey (see CCC history, above) said, "A city boy learns that the world is larger than just the city."

As for me, each Idaho summit I get to is a gift, whether on a straight-forward clear-cut Class 1 trail or a frustrating and hard-won  bushwhack.   The views from the top are always awe-inspiring.  Like Dr.  Seuss says: "....this life is pretty amazing."  

References
Boise National Forest Large Fire History - 1980 - 2018. Idaho Fire info - BLM.gov.
Boise National Forest Fire History - 1900 - 2016-September-19.  fs.usda.gov
​Historical marker Database:  CCC Shapes the Payette Drainage
​lib.uidaho.edu.  Civilian Conservation Corps in Idaho Collection
Lopez, T.  2000.  Idaho:  A Climbing Guide, pp. 108-112.
Gallagher Ranger Station.  USDA Forest Service, Boise National Forest.
​Smith, E.M.  History of the Boise National Forest - 1905 - 1976
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Anna and Sylvie had to wait just below the vertical rocks of the summit since this last challenge requires Class 2+ scrambling using hands (photo below).   Fred and I scrambled to the narrow summit with a prominence of almost 900 feet. We were elevated far above this part of central Idaho, looking north to Jackson Peak.​   Steep cliffs drop to the north and south.   We wished Anna and Sylvie could be with us because it is these small summits that make you feel slightly precarious that are the best.

On the return, we had to climb out of the deep stream bed at Wolf's northern base and back up towards Point 8568 overlooking Jennie Lake.   We made our way down that steep ridge into Jennie's basin.  We made a quick hike back down the trail to the truck, it seemed a long way, as we had all run out of water.   Bear Creek was still flowing next to us, even this late in the season!  We were all dusty, especially Sylvie who normally has a white coat, but emerged out of that forest with a tan tinge to her hair.  Sure made the day even better to be able to hike with her and Anna.

References
Boise National Forest Large Fire History:  1980 - 2018.
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DeGrey, L., Link, P.  Digital Geology of Idaho:  Challis Magmatic Episode. retrieved from internet.

Interactive Map.  Idaho Geological Society.  Retrieved from the internet.

​Johnson, K. M., Lewis, R.S., Bennett, E.H., Kiilsgaard, T.H.  Cretaceous and Tertiary Intrusive Rocks 
of South-Central Idaho.

Moye, F.J.,  Hackett, W.R., Blakley, J.D.,  Snider, L.G.   Regional Geologic Setting and Volcanic Stratigraphy of the Challis Volcanic Field, Central Idaho.

A faint trail extends towards Johnstone's east ridge after the saddle at Johnstone Creek Trail is reached, just before its descent.  The westward 1.6-mile climb to the summit first traverses the shady north side of the ridge, and then because of the northern steep chutes, it switches to the south side, going over a few talus fields.   The summit is one large stable talus pile.  Having done this hike a few times before, we know now to stay close to the ridge; when it begins to pull you to the south, keep west at about 260 degrees.  The trail passes over a large talus field of a "pseudo peak"; and upon mounting it, you see Johnstone's summit across yet another talus field.

Except for a few stunted trees, the summit is bare and exposed, but it rises far above everything else, marking the area between the Wood River Valley and famous Mt. Baldy's ski mountain to the south and central Idaho's peaks to the north.

Four years ago, after the first dusting of snow, Fred and I stood on Johnstone's summit with a sign proclaiming "This Hike for Henry Brown".  Henry, in his mid-50's had passed in August from lung cancer.  He was a West Point grad, avid outdoorsman and excellent bow and rifle hunter, and had spent his last years in Hailey, south of Ketchum in the Wood River Valley.   It was especially hard for Fred to lose his great friend, one that had shared his passion for wilderness and taught him valuable hunting skills.  When Henry had moved back to Idaho, there was hope for many hikes in Idaho's beautiful wilderness.  But these never happened and we were reminded that life can be cut short.  More than ever we know that we are lucky to be able to walk the forests and rocky summits of Idaho and look forward to the next American West adventure.

In 2016, as we were on Johnstone's summit remembering Henry, an eagle flew high above, a symbol of Henry's spirit.  And this time again as we were descending, an eagle, soaring effortlessly above the northern side of the peak made us stop as it passed by and out of sight.  I had said the next time we summited Johnstone, we would be looking for an eagle.  Once again we saw one, and felt Henry's presence.

References

Geologic Map Of Idaho.

Geologic Map of Blaine County.  Idaho State University.  https://digitalatlas.cose.isu.edu/counties/blaine/geomap.htm
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Trailing of the Sheep Festival - History of the Festival https://trailingofthesheep.org/about/history/

Wust, S. L., Link, P.K.  1988.   Field Guide to the Pioneer Mountains Core Complex, South-Central Idaho.

Jackson Peak Trail is well-marked and maintained.  The first 1/2 mile treks through Oregon coast-like lushness with fern-lined tributaries leading to Richard's Creek noisily flowing below.  After 0.75 miles, the trail swings southeast away and above this creek and switch-backs to the ridge through remnants of the 1988 Willis Gulch Fire, continuing up and around Richards Creek watershed source just below Jackson Peak.  At the intersection with Forest Road #598, the locked gate to Jackson Peak lookout straddles this watershed to the north and Jackson Creek and the expansive lands of the Boise National Forest to the south.

Boise National Forest Large Fire History Map, 1980-2018.

From the gate, walk up the final 0.35 mile to the lookout, and lots of communication towers and a helipad.  Although this detracts from a wilderness experience, it's a great reward to stand above everything else for miles.  The unmistakable jagged northern Sawtooth peaks cut the horizon to the northeast, and the immense land of the Boise National Forest spanning 2.5 million acres of mountains, valleys and access roads spreads to the south.

We all sat at the picnic table near the lookout, celebrating our hike, thankful for the trail camaraderie and the peace of central Idaho.  Hearing Deacon's and Kaleb's dreams of summiting higher peaks reminded Fred and I of our previous summit goals.  Wistfully, I tell them that they have plenty of years ahead of them with so many mountains in the American west to climb.  So many mountains to climb, wilderness to experience, trails to walk, but not as much time for Fred and I. 

​The recurring topic discussed during the descent was what flavor ice cream we would have at the Sourdough Lodge in Lowman afterwards to celebrate our summit success.

Love Idaho.  Never stop climbing mountains.

References
Boise National Forest - Home - USDA Forest Service - retrieved from the internet
Boise National Forest Large Fire History - 1980 - 2018.
Forest Lookouts.  ronkemnow.weebly.com
Idaho Geological Survey - Interactive Map - retrieved from internet
Idaho Statesman.  May 29, 2018.  Across the U.S., reports of tick-borne illness are rising.  Here's what's happening in Idaho.
Smith, Elizabeth M.  History of the Boise National Forest, 1905 - 1976.  Idaho State Historical Society - Boise, 1983.

One of Idaho's greatest assets is the ability to find forest solitude in a short amount of time.  After an hour's drive north from Boise, we started our walk on the Station Creek Trail in the Boise National Forest's 2.5 million acres, weaving through a Ponderosa pine forest to a ridge with a view of Bald Mountain.  The summit feels grander than its relatively low elevation would suggest.   It stands high above Little Anderson Creek to the north, and Poorman Creek to the south, with views of snow-dusted Salmon River Mountains to the northeast.  Everything is good on this adventure - beautiful drive, challenging grade on a relatively short distance with great views.

"Poorman" is engraved on Bald Mountain's summit benchmark, a triangulation station established by the U.S. Geological Survey in 1933.   The History of the Boise National Forest - 1905-1976, an informative document, covers many subjects from the area's Native Americans, to the creation and administration of the Boise National Forest, its resources and its settlement.  The Sawtooth Forest Reserve was created in 1905 by President Theodore Roosevelt.  A combination of the west portion of this reserve and the 1.5-million acre Payette Forest Reserve created the Boise National Forest July 1, 1908.  Idaho is one of the top states that has a large percentage of publicly-owned lands - 62% of it under federal jurisdiction of BLM and Forest Service.  This does not include state-owned land.

The Payette River was named after Francois Payette, a French-Canadian Hudson Bay Company fur trapper who explored southwestern Idaho.  Bald Mountain is tucked in between the main waterways of North Fork and South Fork of Payette River.

Access the Station Creek trailhead just off the Banks-Lowman Highway, right across from Garden City Ranger Station and heliport, past Mile 12 and Boise National Forest sign.  The trail treks north as it follows Station Creek, crosses it at 0.8 miles, then climbs the ridge that separates Station Creek and Poorman Creek.  At mile 2.6, this ridge tops out at Point 4,772 with bare-topped Bald Mountain in full view.

From point 4,772, hike 1.2 miles east/southeast to Bald Mountain's summit past some exposed granite outcrops.  The trail becomes less defined as it traverses across the top of the watershed for Little Anderson Creek, then through a tall shady stand of Ponderosa pines.  The trail then climbs the steep, open and grassy western slope to Bald Mountain's granite summit surrounded by the fall hues of red, yellow and orange senescent buckwheat and lomatium flowers.  

Bald Mountain stands above Garden Valley to the west and deep South Fork of the Payette River to the south and the snow-dusted  Salmon River Mountains to the north.  For a peak close to home, it feels and looks like wilderness - a quick nature fix.

An iron stand bolted into cement on the summit looks like it might have supported something, or is merely a marker.  I was unable to find information on this and the origin of the word "Poorman", although it could be in reference to previous mining activity.

Many Ponderosa pine trunks are blackened from the 18,000-acre West Anderson fire that occurred due to a lightning strike in August of 1986.  Four firefighters from New Mexico died when their truck tumbled down a dry creek bed near Crouch as they were driving from their fire camp.  Map of Boise National Forest fire history.

In the spring, this trail is bright with wildflowers, but autumn produces muted colors and textures, just as beautiful.  There are two loops that can be hiked instead of summiting Bald Mountain (Stueby's Outdoor Journal).