Borah Peak
Borah Peak, the highest point in Idaho, is a large and rugged summit crowning the dry and isolated Lost River Range in the central part of the state. The Lost Rivers are perhaps the driest range in all the Rockies--what little forest clings to their slopes is open, sparse, and dusty, and the valleys surrounding the range are wide-open sagebrush reminiscient of Nevada. Borah Peak, naked of vegetation, still looks like the giant fault block it was back when it first rose up out of the desert.
In summer the ascent is relatively easy, given that the vertical gain on the standard route is a punishing 5300 feet. The first of the two main obstacles to the summit is the horribly dusty, boulder strewn Birch Springs road leading east off of US 93 north of Mackay--it includes a couple trenches and steps resulting from a powerful 1983 earthquake. The second main obstacle comes after the well-worn route has ascended steeply for a few thousand feet: a notch forces the climber to downclimb a 20-foot vertical face, but plentiful strong hand- and footholds make this easy for the experienced scrambler, even if solo. Other than that the climb is mostly a lot of broken talus. Snow would certainly make things more difficult, though.
How to Get There
From Mackay: Take US Highway 93 20 miles north of Mackay to the Borah Peak Access Road. Follow the Borah Peak Access Road east for 3 miles to the trailhead.
From Challis: Take US Highway 93 south of Challis for about 33 miles to the Borah Peak Access Road. Follow the Borah Peak Access Road east 3 miles to the trailhead.
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| General |
North Face Direct
- snow climb, rock
- 10 to 16 hours
Southwest (Chicken-Out ) Ridge
- hike/scramble
- 10 to 12 hours
North Face
- snow climb
- one of the best snow and ice routes in the state of Idaho
- 10 to 16 hours
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| Targeted Activities |
Camping, Hiking, Ice Climbing, Mountaineering, Rock Climbing |
| Season Availability: |
All Year
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| Altitude: |
-3859 meters |
| Camping: |
Allowed |
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