In the late 1970s, Todd Schwarz made his first excursions into the Pioneer Range just east of Sun Valley. He climbed a number of peaks including Hyndman, Cobb, and Old Hyndman in short order, then noticed a notation on the USGS topo map he’d been studying: Pioneer Cabin. Knowing nothing about it and expecting a collapsed, hardscrabble structure, he made his first trek up the Corral Creek Trail to the cabin and fell hard for the view as well as Pioneer Cabin’s character. Over the next nearly 50 years, he’s returned again and again and learned more about the origins and history of the place. In the course of his exploration, he’s created a photographic record including early photos from the very first guided trip to the cabin in the winter of 1938 (courtesy of The Community Library).

Todd will share his own experiences while including a geographic overview of the cabin’s namesake Pioneer Range, a bit of Sun Valley history around the Alpine Touring operation, seasonal route information, and attempt to explain the allure of a place that has compelled him to return dozens of times over several decades.

Todd Schwarz splits time between Hailey and Twin Falls and serves as the Provost of the College of Southern Idaho where he’s worked for nearly 35 years. A frequent visitor to the Pioneer Range and habitual peakbagger, he’s accumulated a large photographic record of his longtime outdoor journey and loves sharing it while encouraging others to create their own story.

Image credit: F 06271, Dorice Taylor Collection, Jeanne Rodger Lane Center for Regional History.