Grid Square DN23

This page - Sunset Mtn Lookout - Mores Creek Summit - Fairfield-to-Gooding - Danskin Lookout - Trinity Mtn - Bell Mtn - Bennett Mtn South

Potential VHF rover sites in ID's grid DN23. Be careful.
DN23 dimensions are 100.3 by 69.2 miles.
Hover mouse over a map marker for more about the grid and site.

Sunset Mtn Lookout, DN23ev25

Near city of Idaho City, Boise County, ID, Altitude 7869
See Google map, Bing map, OpenStreetMap, Beam heading
Last update: 2019-06-12
Comments by: Barry K7BWH

This peak with a lookout seemed promising in theory, but it's a very long drive with no reward because I couldn't park up on top to reach a clear horizon. The last bit is gated, leaving me with only a northeast view toward emptiness and Canada. I spent all afternoon with a long drive but made zero contacts.

On the plus side, the views are spectacular and it does have a vault toilet.

The lookout was unstaffed when I visited June 2018, although a friendly park ranger made a routine visit.

A nearby spot that's much easier to reach is DN23ew Mores Creek Summit parking lot. It has just as good of a horizon view as the lookout.

Driving directions: From Idaho City, drive north on Hwy 21 (Ponderosa Pine Scenic Route).
Turn right at the Mores Creek Summit trailhead parking area (43.931809, -115.668737).
Follow this unpaved road, FS 316, to the top.
Total driving time is about an hour from Idaho City.

Restrictions: Rough unpaved road. Any vehicle with decent ground clearance could make it. The first bit is a steep stretch but then it's not too bad; it's just a long slow drive to the top, about half an hour.

Mores Creek Summit, DN23ew01

Near city of Idaho City, Boise County, ID, Altitude 6730
See Google map, Bing map, OpenStreetMap, Beam heading
Last update: 2019-06-12
Comments by: Barry K7BWH

Mores Creek Summit is a large flat easy-to-reach parking area with good horizon in most directions. It's exactly at the turnoff to Sunset Mtn Lookout, but I vastly prefer its convenience over the extra drive to the mountain peak. The horizon here seems just as good as the peak; stop here unless you know the peak's final gate is open.

Driving directions: From Idaho City, drive north on Hwy 21 (Ponderosa Pine Scenic Route).
Enjoy the extremely picturesque drive up the mountain.
Turn off at the Mores Creek Summit trailhead parking area.

Fairfield-to-Gooding, DN23qd18

Near city of Fairfield, Gooding County, ID, Altitude 5600
See Google map, Bing map, OpenStreetMap, Beam heading
Last update: 2018-06-05
Comments by: Barry K7BWH

Hwy 46 between Fairfield and Gooding is in a high plain with several likely-looking turnouts and hilltops along the road. For example, near the "City of Rocks" road on the east side it looks like an open hilltop with mild height.

Driving directions: From Mountain Home take Hwy 20 east, drive 52 miles.
At Fairfield turn right onto Hwy 46 south, drive 13 miles.
At 43.163824, -114.658626 turn east on unpaved road, drive a half mile.

Danskin Lookout, DN23ej09

Near city of Regina, Elmore County, ID, Altitude 6694
See Google map, Bing map, OpenStreetMap, Beam heading
Last update: 2018-02-20
Comments by: Barry K7BWH

Danksin Peak is 20 miles due north of Mountain Home and is very visible from the Interstate as you head to/from Boise. The peak rises high above the desert to its south and very steeply above the South Fork Boise River to its north. The top has impressive views in all directions, with the Snake River Plain and Owyhee mountains to the south. To the north is the green Smith Prairie and the Boise and Trinity Mountains, which are very impressive from this angle. Read more at IdahoSummits.com

Trinity Mtn, DN23go83

Near city of Prairie, Elmore County, ID, Altitude 9451
See Google map, Bing map, OpenStreetMap, Beam heading
Last update: 2018-02-20
Comments by: Barry K7BWH

Satellite view of road looks impassable. At this altitude the road will be snow-covered for most of the year. But it sure is a nice tall peak, even though it's so remote.

Bell Mtn, DN23wk63

Near city of Gannett, Blaine County, ID, Altitude 7988
See Google map, Bing map, OpenStreetMap, Beam heading
Last update: 2018-02-20
Comments by: Barry K7BWH

A good peak where ground slopes away in all directions. Satellite view shows one radio tower and some cars.

Driving directions: Bell Mtn is 3 hours east of Boise (about 2.5 hours east of Mountain Home)
Careful with your GPS and Google Maps - there is another different Bell Mtn near Clyde that has no roads
Your route must be through Gannett or Bellevue
Hwy 20 east from Mountain Home
At Stanton Crossing, turn north onto State Hwy 75
Drive through Bellevue on Main Street
Turn right onto Pine Street, this becomes Muldoon Canyon Road (5.5 mi)
Turn right onto Sharps Canyon Road (5 mi to top)

Bennett Mtn South, DN23gf56

Near city of Glenns Ferry, Elmore County, ID, Altitude 7430
See Google map, Bing map, OpenStreetMap, Beam heading
Last update: 2018-02-20
Comments by: Barry K7BWH

The south peak of Bennett Mtn is (almost) free of commercial towers. The north peak is loaded with'm. This spot is ten miles northeast of Mountain Home and should be relatively easy to reach from I-84.