Attractions and Places To See in the Jarbidge Mountains - Top 9

Cougar Peak is one of the more prominent peaks on the southern end of the Jarbidge traverse. Its exposed summit, at 10,564 feet, offers fantastic views of the large Marys River Peak to the south and the Matterhorn to the north approximately 0.5 miles away along the loose, talus-y ridge line. There might be a small glass jar that serves as a summit register by a wooden post that marks the top of Cougar Peak that you can sign if you wish.

The Matterhorn is the tallest peak in the Jarbidge Mountain Range. Standing at 10,838 feet, this rocky, steep summit requires a little bit of scrambling up exposed Class 2 talus and rock to reach. Once you get to the top of the Matterhorn you are rewarded with amazing panoramic views of the entire Jarbidge Mountain Range as well as views into Idaho! This mountain is named after the more famous Matterhorn in the European Alps because of the steep, prominent cliffs just north of the summit. The Matterhorn of the Jarbidge Mountains is a proud, remote peak in one of the most seldom visited wilderness area in the US. It is a great place to rest, eat lunch, take photos, and sign the summit register. Like the rest of the peaks on the long ridge line, tacking the Matterhorn is a serious endeavor across exposed terrain on trails that might be faint to non-existent at times. Please use good judgement about your own ability and comfort-levels traveling in this type of terrain.

Jarbidge Peak stands at 10,799 feet and is the second highest mountain in the Jarbidge Mountain Range after the Matterhorn. This rocky, open summit provides excellent panoramic views of the surrounding area, but especially across the dry, exposed ridge toward the Matterhorn and the other lesser summits that comprise the Jarbidge Mountains. This summit is an excellent goal in and of itself, but is also a great place to rest, sip some water, eat some food, and sign the summit register before continuing onward to the surrounding peaks across the ridge line if attempting the Jarbidge Traverse. Please be aware that the Jarbidge Traverse is a serious endeavor. You are above tree line for the entire ridge line traveling on exposed terrain on trails that might be faint to non-existent at times. Please use good judgement about your own ability and comfort-levels before attempting Jarbidge Peak and the others along the traverse.

The Emerald Lake Pass is on the Jarbidge River Trail and takes you up steep switchbacks over an open pass below Government Peak. You get great views of the imposing Mary's River Peak to the south and great views of the Matterhorn and the surrounding smaller peaks to the north. When you get toward the top of the pass you can also see Emerald Lake in the distance.

At this major trail junction there are three wooden signs that help you navigate the trails in this area. Continuing on the Jarbidge River Trail will take you up the Emerald Lake Pass toward Emerald Lake and the Emerald Basin and Cougar Creek Trails. Talking the West Mary River-Camp Draw Trail will connect you to the Mary River, Camp Draw, or the Jarbige River-Mary's River Trails.

After climbing steeply you reach an exposed saddle between Prospect and Cougar Peaks, which grants you stunning views of both mountains and the surrounding area. There are spur trails from this saddle that take you to the summits of Prospect and Cougar Peaks if you wish to tag either or both of them.

When traveling on Cougar Creek Trail you pass through a thick grove of large aspen trees. Although they look like individual trees, they are actually one large organism; the trees are all connected via an underground root system. Aspens groves are actually some of the largest single organisms on earth! In the fall their leaves turn from a bright green to deep shades of yellow and orange. This aspen grove is a wonderful, shaded place rest, take photographs, and enjoy these amazing trees on your hike.

The Jarbidge River Trail is one of the more popular trails in the Jarbidge Mountains and takes you to Jarbidge Lake. It is also a great way to access other trails in the area such as the Mary's River and the Emerald Basin Trails. It follows the Jarbidge River and takes you through fields of wildflowers and stands of pine trees watered by the river in this otherwise very dry mountain range. As you hike through the long, scenic valley you will pass several avalanche paths where you might need to scramble up and over some downed trees.