Topo Anomaly

[TheTone]

I have definitely been leaning towards some sort of mapping error from the beginning. The error is likely compounded in some way, there is no way its a 1k+ tall pillar. Just like if it was a big hole there would be pictures of it online and hiking trails to that spot already. Probably a rock formation no more than 150-200 ft above the surrounding rock.

I am still thinking I should hike in there next June and see if there are bears around. We'll see if ends up being a HTrs of North Idaho trip.

Let’s hope this current snow system doesn’t just keep going or it may be august/September

 

[Deleted member 28227]

I have definitely been leaning towards some sort of mapping error from the beginning. The error is likely compounded in some way, there is no way its a 1k+ tall pillar. Just like if it was a big hole there would be pictures of it online and hiking trails to that spot already. Probably a rock formation no more than 150-200 ft above the surrounding rock.

I am still thinking I should hike in there next June and see if there are bears around. We'll see if ends up being a HTrs of North Idaho trip.

The topo looks like it’s 200ft, this photo shows a pretty intense shadow which would be consistent with a tower.

 

[Irrelevant]

Look at the map. Basalt formations are common in the vicinity of the Clearwater River. If you need some assurance that basalt is a volcanic rock, I suggest you Google the term. And while you're at it Google lava tube. You'll see they are formed in basalt flows. Since the predominate rocks in the mountainous area of the Clearwater are either basalt or "granitic" (also volcanic in origin) it is unlikely this feature is a sinkhole. Those are found in limestone formations which are sedimentary/metamorphic.

Do I need to provide a copy of my geology degree or my professional geology license?

You sir are an idiot.

 

[Blue Rope]

Only solution seems to be hiking in and checking it out.

View attachment 207025

I'd be very interested in doing just that. Talking about doing a fishing trip this summer in that area anyway.

 

[thomas89]

Perhaps we could convince TT that’s where they have been throwing all the custom rifles with production prices and he’ll hike in and check it out?

OH ought to go for backup.

 

[XXL]

I have definitely been leaning towards some sort of mapping error from the beginning. The error is likely compounded in some way, there is no way its a 1k+ tall pillar. Just like if it was a big hole there would be pictures of it online and hiking trails to that spot already. Probably a rock formation no more than 150-200 ft above the surrounding rock.

I am still thinking I should hike in there next June and see if there are bears around. We'll see if ends up being a HTrs of North Idaho trip.

Thanks for the link, June may be a little optimistic for access, though it sits on a southerly facing ridge under 6K ft. This will be interesting. Thanks for posting.

 

[44hunter45]

I will slow you young bucks down, but I'm game to go up there.

@JLS - You in Jason?

 

[El Jason]

@JLS - You in Jason?

I’ll bring the beer, dog and juvenile gutter humor

 

[RobG]

 

[44hunter45]

I’ll bring the beer, dog and juvenile gutter humor

No PBR. Enoteca in Post Falls is your friend.
Offering to buy me beer could get expensive. My Eberlestock could probably handle a pony keg.

 

[BAKPAKR]

I’ll bring the beer, dog and juvenile gutter humor

@Mica Man, shotgun.

 

[TheTone]

Fingers crossed!

 

[Gerald Martin]

White Spikes landing zone. Before you go check it out, mail me all your rifles and expensive optics for safe keeping in case you don’t come back.

 

[Potsie]

I’m in for a bear hunt. I’ll even be the idiot that brings in a watermelon.

 

[Blue Rope]

Well, I went and checked it out. Pretty country. Some serious snow up there still and unfortunately, when I got close, it was obscured by fog. As it was I was probably pushing it getting even to that point. It was real tricky going in some areas and I was alone, so didn't want to press my luck too much. I had good snowshoes but really needed crampons to do it right. I did get a pic from further away before the fog bank moved in of what I think might be the formation. If I'm right, it is indeed marked wrong on the map and is a spire, rather than a hole. The first three pics are just to show what the scenery looked like. The fourth is what I'm pretty sure is the spire, and the fifth is looking directly at it from 200 yards away (measured on OnX) from atop a cliff. The screenshot shows where I was when I took the pic.

 

[OntarioHunter]

Well, I went and checked it out. Pretty country. Some serious snow up there still and unfortunately, when I got close, it was obscured by fog. As it was I was probably pushing it getting even to that point. It was real tricky going in some areas and I was alone, so didn't want to press my luck too much. I had good snowshoes but really needed crampons to do it right. I did get a pic from further away before the fog bank moved in of what I think might be the formation. If I'm right, it is indeed marked wrong on the map and is a spire, rather than a hole. The first three pics are just to show what the scenery looked like. The fourth is what I'm pretty sure is the spire, and the fifth is looking directly at it from 200 yards away (measured on OnX) from atop a cliff. The screenshot shows where I was when I took the pic.

View attachment 226891
View attachment 226887View attachment 226886
View attachment 226889View attachment 226888View attachment 226890

That final photo sure looks like pillow basalt to me.

 

[TN_Rifle_Junkie]

Now that is a cool adventure... Thank you for closing the loop on this anomoly and taking the time to get some really great pictures of the area for everyone to see.

 

[Nameless Range]

Well, I went and checked it out. Pretty country. Some serious snow up there still and unfortunately, when I got close, it was obscured by fog. As it was I was probably pushing it getting even to that point. It was real tricky going in some areas and I was alone, so didn't want to press my luck too much. I had good snowshoes but really needed crampons to do it right. I did get a pic from further away before the fog bank moved in of what I think might be the formation. If I'm right, it is indeed marked wrong on the map and is a spire, rather than a hole. The first three pics are just to show what the scenery looked like. The fourth is what I'm pretty sure is the spire, and the fifth is looking directly at it from 200 yards away (measured on OnX) from atop a cliff. The screenshot shows where I was when I took the pic.

View attachment 226891
View attachment 226887View attachment 226886
View attachment 226889View attachment 226888View attachment 226890

Heck yeah. Thanks for this report.

 

[westbranch]

Nice work! It does look like there is a good gap between that spire and the main ridge. Cool rock formation.

 

[westbranch]

Funnily enough, this past week I was looking at some trails in the Bitterroots of MT since we are going to be there for a wedding and found another anomaly.

Looks like this error is right on the wilderness boundary. It appears that somehow the GIS data for creek to the north was matched up with the wilderness boundary and followed it across the ridge to the south. So makes a very narrow canyon on the topo. But this error only shows up on Onx so not as exciting as the original post.