Hike Bonneville Peak Caribou-Targhee National Forest, ID

Aug 27, 2022 — Bonneville Peak, high point of the Portneuf Range, sits atop the Pebble Creek Ski Area, so the trailhead is accesible by any vehicle. Unfortunately this means the hike follows a snowmobile road up a bunch of switchbacks for most of the hike and the view is often obscured by chairlifts along the way. After hiking this road to the end, marked by a little patrol station, I set out on a social trail and into the forest. Although difficult to follow at times on the way up, there is definitely a well-traveled option that leads through the woods and up the steep slope. I found it easier to follow on the way back down.

The forested slope ascended for about 400 feet before it opened up slightly and introduced a rocky outcrop, easily avoidable on the right, where there was some light Class 2 boulder-hopping and another short, steep slope. I continued through a clear and flatter section, traversing below Skyline Peak (a named sub-peak tiny lump north of Bonneville Peak) and made my way to the ridgeline. The route south along the ridge to Bonneville Peak was lovely, though uneventful. Slowy gaining in elevation, a social trail leads through the ankle-high brush to the summit.

From the summit I noted a couple of peaks that looked more interesting to the south and changed all my plans for the day to go do those instead, but I wanted to approach the from a different direction. I recommend you check out the result of that trip report to Snow Peak and Haystack Mountain and consider hiking to Bonneville Peak from the south instead of doing this somewhat forgettable route. The alternative would make for a much more pleasant hiking experience.