They call it the Lost River Valley for good reason. As you travel US Highway 93 going north, between the majestic heights of the Lost River Range and the White Knob Mountains, it will feel like you are deep in the heart of the landscape. Along the route, the peaks just keep coming, one after the other, until you reach Mt. Borah, the highest peak in Idaho at 12,682 feet, and Dickey after that.
Yet mountains are not just for viewing. They are there for climbing. Surrounded by all ten peaks, the Lost River Valley is your headquarters for mountaineering. Put them on your bucket list, and plan to climb them all—maybe not on the same trip, but you can always return and tackle more in the future.
King Mountain, 10,761 feet above sea level
Located just north of Arco in Moore, King Mountain is most famous as the King Mountain Hang Glider Launch Site, 3237 West 3400 North, Moore, ID.
The launch site at King Mountain is known for its challenging conditions, strong winds, and thermals, which make it a popular destination for experienced hang gliders seeking an adrenaline rush. The park, located on the western flank of King Mountain, primarily has prevailing winds from the west that combine with ridge lift.
Despite its difficulty, King Mountain is famous for hang gliders from around the world due to its stunning views and unique flying conditions. The site of numerous competitions and world record attempts, reaching the upper launches requires a hike up the mountain.
Invisible Mountain, 11,330 feet above sea level
From Arco, go 19 miles north to the Pass Creek turnoff and turn right. After about a mile, the road angles, and after the canal, turn left on Bench Road. You’ll reach the end of the road in about another half mile, where you turn right to the trailhead. You can see the trailhead to climb at that point. There are no gates and no registration. This is wild country. Take all the climbing precautions needed to stay safe.
Mount McCaleb, 11,592 feet above sea level
Scale the mountain named after Jesse McCaleb, who moved to the area in 1866 after serving in the Civil War. During an 1878 skirmish with the Bannock tribe, which was raiding the area, Captain Jesse McCaleb was killed by a rifle shot. Even though the site where that battle took place is now covered by the Mackay reservoir, the site of McCaleb’s burial in Battleground Cemetery has a market that records the names of Captain McCaleb and other early pioneers.
To reach the mountain, traveling north on US Highway 93, turn right on Main Street. Look for Lower Cedar Creek Road or one of the roads that parallel it to turn left toward the mountain and the starting place for a climb on the most commonly used west ridge route. The best time to climb is between June and September, even though summer here can be sweltering.
Ascending the mountain in winter can lead to a ski run down on the west face of the peak.
Mount Breitenbach, 12,740 feet above sea level
One of the Idaho 12’ers, the massive summit of Mount Breitenbach was only first scaled in the 1960s. Despite its huge presence, it is rarely seen from the highway because it is hidden behind other peaks in the Lost River Range. Some slopes tower vertically more than 6,200 feet, while the face rises 3,000 feet above the East Fork of the Pahsimeroi River.
To reach the mountain, traveling north from Mackay on US Highway 93, turn right on Upper Cedar Creek Road and head straight for the mountains. Crossing the canal on the road is best done with a high-clearance vehicle. After crossing the canal, turn left on the four-wheeler trail and head for Pete Creek and the canyon, where climbs usually begin.
This climb, with streams, nettles, and other physical hurdles, is not for the faint of heart or the inexperienced. Often, there can be freak snowstorms or torrenting rains, even late in the season. Do your research before climbing, and take all precautions necessary to stay safe. Enjoy the views from the summit, which are astounding!
Lost River Peak, 12,078 feet above sea level
The Lost River Range is home to seven of nine Idaho 12’ers, and the Lost River Peak is no slough. The elevations of the sheer face rise dramatically from the valley floor. The mountain’s south face is a unique canyon carved up by the tremendous forces that created the mountain range. The north face has ridges and folds with no particular pattern.
Lost River Peak is also reached from Upper Cedar Creek Road, north of Mackay. Traveling through and past the canal requires a high-clearance vehicle. Some climbers have attempted this mountain in winter, but the best time to scale it is between the end of May and September when the danger of an avalanche is lessened. Camping is allowed at the trailhead. This is another climb for which you must do your research before attempting and take all precautions to stay safe.
Mount Church, 12,200 feet above sea level
Even though Mount Church is officially unnamed and not triangulated, it is unofficially named after the late Idaho Senator Frank Church. Church was a dedicated environmentalist who created the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness with its Gold Level Dark Sky Preserve.
Traveling north from Mackay on US Highway 93, turn right on either 416, 415, or 414, which will lead to the same place. Some begin the climb on Mount Church from the summit of Donaldson Peak, but this is a hard class three. It combines intense scrambling but ends with incredible views due to its position in the middle of the Lost River Range.
Typically, climbs occur from the middle of June to the end of September. Scaling the mountain in winter is possible but it is prone to avalanches. Camping is allowed at the base, but water Is very limited here.
Leatherman Peak, 12,228 feet above sea level
Right behind Borah Peak, Leatherman Peak is the second tallest mountain in Idaho. At 1,600 feet, it towers over Leatherman Pass. This mountain was named after Henry Leatherman, who hauled freight in the area during the late 1800s. Like Captain McCaleb, he is buried at Battleground Cemetery, which is located within view of the mountain. The peak was probably first climbed in 1914 by Thomas M. Bannon, a noteworthy United States Geologic Survey surveyor and an Idaho mountaineering pioneer.
Due to the increasing number of people attempting to summit all nine of Idaho’s 12ers, Leatherman is one of the busiest mountains in summer. This is likely because one of the routes to the top is easier than others in the area. That route traverses a steep gully on the west side of the north ridge. Despite the very long approach to the trailhead on the west fork of the Pahsimeroi River, this is quickly becoming the standard route.
From Mackay, travel 23 miles north on US Highway 93 and turn right on Route 414, which also leads to Doublesprings Pass. From there, the trailhead is almost 25 miles on rough dirt roads that require a high-clearance 4WD vehicle. There is an alternate route to the trailhead through Sawmill Gulch, which is shorter and easier.
Leatherman is most often climbed from mid-June through mid-September because, like so many of the other peaks in this range, avalanches are a real danger in winter.
Mount Idaho, 12,065 feet above sea level
Also known as “Elkhorn Peak,” Mt. Idaho has four distinct faces and four classic ridges. To begin the climb, you will travel through a forested area and follow a stream. When you break out into the clearing, a spectacular view of the peak emerges. To reach the trailhead from US Highway 93, north of Mackay, turn right on the road just before Trail Creek Road. Plan to climb between the middle of June and the end of September.
Mt. Borah, 12,662 feet above sea level
You have now reached the granddaddy of mountain peaks in Idaho. The climb travels over 5,000 feet from trailhead to summit within 5 miles. Says one mountaineering expert, “climbing is 10% physical and 90% mental. You need to be prepared to move for up to 12 hours. You should be well prepared if you can run 20 miles a week or climb 1,000 feet in an hour. Training toughens up the legs, lungs, and shoulders, and maybe most importantly, builds vertical constitution.”
Mt. Borah’s well-marked trailhead is at the end of Bureau of Land Management Road #279, which takes off of US Highway 93 about 21 north of Mackay. After you leave the first portion of the trail, traveling through scattered woodlands becomes more challenging. The last mile has sections of the 12-hour climb with hand-over-hand extreme climbing through bare rock.
Borah is best climbed between the end of May and the middle of October 15.
The Borah Peak Trail is Route #4044.
Dickey Peak, 11,141 feet above sea level
Dickey Peak is actually the southernmost mountain in the Pahsimeroi Subrange of the Lost River Range. These beautiful mountains see very little traffic. Climbing is difficult and not for the novice or the inexperienced.
When scaled, however, the two-mile-long summit ridge provides views of the world around. Prepare carefully, and never climb alone. If you decide to do Dickey Peak, your reward will be a view that few have experienced.