Mount Borah

Borah Peak - 12,662 Feet

Idaho's Highest Mountain!

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The view of Mount Borah (aka Borah Peak) from the top of Dickey Peak.

Trip Report (July 30th, 1999):
Climbing the highpoint of Idaho was pretty cool in itself, but when you add the scenery the goes along with it, it becomes a unforgetable experience. The trip is difficult and involves a lot of Class 3 climbing just before the dreaded "Chicken Out Ridge". Once at the ridge, neither my partner nor I were bothered by snow crossing. From that point the walk across the saddle is enjoyable until the climbing starts again at the main summit block. From that point on the rock is loose, the trail steep, and the oxygen thin. From the top, the view of the surrounding mountains, valleys, and lakes (we counted 5) is tremendous.

Route:
From the trailhead, follow the trail east into the forest. After about 1.1 miles, the trail makes a turn north towards a low saddle in a sparse forest, then turns steeply southeast and continues for 1.5 miles to the bottom of Chicken Out Ridge where a 0.2 mile stretch of class three climbing works it way east before dropping 30 feet onto the top of a snow bridge. Cross the snow bridge and follow the trail northeast passing over the saddle between Borah and Point 11,898. The last 1/4 mile (800 feet) is on loose rock and very steep.

Getting There:
From Arco drive approximatley 45 miles north on US 93. Turn east on Birch Springs Road at the sign for Borah Peak access and drive to its end. At about 3.5 miles the road turns and runs along the earthquake fault of 1983. It then passes through a patch of quaking aspens and emerges at the parking lot. There are several campsites near the trailhead, a lot of parking, and a bathroom.

Pictures: Click on the pictures below to see the full-size version.


The summit of Mt. Borah from the west ridge.	The famous snow crossing on "Chicken Out Ridge".

The view of the southwest ridge from the top.	The view of the Lost River Range from the top.

Me on top!	View of a lake basin from the top.