Galena Summit

Galena Summit is a high mountain pass in the western United States in central Idaho, at an elevation of 8,701 feet (2,652 m) above sea level. The pass is located in the Boulder Mountains, in the northwest corner of Blaine County, within the Sawtooth National Recreation Area of the Sawtooth National Forest.

For the low mountain pass in southeastern British Columbia, Canada, see Galena Pass.
Galena Summit
Sawtooth Valley from the overlook
below Galena Summit
Elevation8,701 ft (2,652 m)
Traversed by SH-75
LocationBlaine County, Idaho, U.S.
RangeBoulder Mountains
Rocky Mountains
Coordinates43°52′12″N 114°42′47″W

The summit is on State Highway 75, the Sawtooth Scenic Byway,[1] and is 29 miles (47 km) northwest of Ketchum and the Sun Valley ski resort. It is the highest summit of a highway in the Northwest. Highway 75 was formerly designated U.S. Route 93,[2][3][4] which is now to the east on the former U.S. 93 alternate, through the Lost River Valley.

Galena Summit marks the divide between the Big Wood River and Salmon River drainage areas. A little more than 1 mile (1.6 km) west of the summit is Galena Overlook, a scenic viewpoint at 8,400 feet (2,560 m). It offers views of the Sawtooth range to the northwest and the headwaters of the Salmon River in the Stanley Basin of Custer County, which SH-75 follows north to Obsidian and Stanley, then east and north towards Challis. The overlook facilities were originally opened in 1964; it was renamed in 2006 for Frank and Bethine Church,[5] and was renovated in 2010.[6]

The Galena Lodge (in historic Galena) is at 7,290 feet (2,220 m), on the Ketchum side of the summit, and hosts cross country skiing.[7][8] Collegiate alpine ski races were held on the summit in late 1947, due to a lack of snow at Sun Valley, and supplies were dropped in by airplane.[9] The Ore-Ida Women's Challenge bicycle race (1984–2002) had a stage that crested the summit.[10][11]

Galena is a mineral, lead sulfide, an important lead ore;[12] deposits of galena often contain silver.

Galena Summit area in October 2011

References
  1. Idaho Byways - Sawtooth Scenic Byway Archived June 27, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
  2. "The "Three Brothers" of the Sawtooths". Spokane Daily Chronicle. July 13, 1931. p. 16.
  3. "Road map of Idaho, Montana, Wyoming". David Rumsey map collection. Rand McNally Co. 1937. Retrieved October 12, 2014.
  4. "Highway map of Idaho". David Rumsey map collection. Shell Oil Company. 1956. Retrieved October 12, 2014.
  5. Stahl, Greg (August 2, 2006). "Scenic overlook dedicated to Church family". Idaho Mountain Express. Ketchum. Retrieved October 12, 2014.
  6. Wutz, Katherine (August 13, 2010). "Galena overlook nears completion". Idaho Mountain Express. Ketchum. Retrieved October 12, 2014.
  7. "Agreement reached to sell Galena Lodge". Spokesman-Review. Associated Press. March 22, 1993. p. A8.
  8. Rice, Bill (March 8, 1996). "Kellam, Niskayuna product, runs historic Nordic ski lodge in Idaho". Daily Gazette. Schenectady, New York. p. D4.
  9. "College skiers ready to start tournament". Eugene Register-Guard. United Press. December 28, 1947. p. 21.
  10. "Twigg leads Idaho bicycle race". Deseret News. Salt Lake City. Associated Press. July 11, 1985. p. 6D.
  11. "Lithuanians win at Ore-Ida". Idahonian. Moscow. Associated Press. June 25, 1991. p. 8A.
  12. "Idaho men cut galena". Spokane Daily Chronicle. September 9, 1908. p. 9.


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