Page Type:
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Route |
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Lat/Lon:
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45.32320°N / 116.5442°W |
Route Type:
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Hike/Scramble |
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Time Required:
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Most of a day |
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Difficulty:
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Class 2/3 |
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Approach
Take Highway 95 to Riggins, which is 153 miles north of Boise or 118 miles south of Lewiston, Idaho. Just outside the south edge of Riggins, look for a large brown recreational sign for the Seven Devils and Heavens Gate. This will be Forest Service road 517. Turn west on this road and follow it about 17 miles, almost to Windy Saddle. About 0.5 mile before Windy Saddle take the rough road down to the left which continues about 0.3 mile to the rustic Seven Devils Guard Station. There is a trailhead here and a few places to park in front, but away from the building.Route Description
This route provides the easiest way to reach the summit of She Devil.Hike south on Trail 101 for a long two miles to the Lower Cannon Lake Trail. Turn right here and continue for a little more than half a mile to the large stream crossing that is just before Lower Cannon Lake. There is a low, broad ridge separating this stream and the lake. Hike to the top of this ridge and follow it to the west toward the basin of Upper Cannon Lake. There will be some big rock between the two lakes, but pay attention to your path and hiking is generally all that’s required. Work your way towards the north base of the huge point that is north of The Goblin. There will be some good ledges to cross the base on. When they peter out you find yourself at an obvious worn path up through some boulders. The ground is formed of steep soil and the footing hard to maintain. Climb up on the side and take rights once on top for a short walk to Upper Cannon Lake. An option instead of the worn slide through the boulders is to continue straight west toward the tumbling stream and climb the boulders there and follow the creek to the lake.
Walk around the north side of the lake and continue up the inlet stream to the small pond at the north foot of The Ogre. Climb up the steep draw to the west to the basin above that will terminate in the high saddle between The Ogre and She Devil. From the trail near Lower Cannon Lake to this saddle is about two miles of cross country hiking and scrambling. Look up to She Devil to the north and note the three low summit points. A broad path can be seen between the west and central mounds. Climb up the rock and turf through the dead whitebark pine forest towards this path.
This broad path can be followed to the ridge top between the west and central summits. But there is a more interesting variation. There are several ledges that take off to the left towards the west ridge of the summit. Most end at impassible points. But at the highest one, which is at the base of the vertical west summit follows a well defined path, part of which has an overhang, around the west side of the mountain. Near where this ledge ends below the west ridge, there is a clear ramp of loose soil and rock to the ridgeline. Climb to it and take a right. There are a couple rocks to hoist up on, but generally it’s an easy scramble or walk over talus to the middle summit point, which is slightly the highest.
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Essential Gear
Good hiking boots are all that is required. An ice axe and crampons are recommended for a spring or early summer attempt when snow will be present.