Elevation: 9,339 ft
Prominence: 1,319
Climbing and access information for this peak is on Page 232 of the book. Updates include Margo Mandella’s trip report and photos and Livingston Douglas two new routes and photos. Updated November 2021
In June, when higher peaks are still covered by snow, Anderson Peak is the place to view the surrounding mountains: the Lost River Range, the Salmon River Mountains, and the Boulder Mountains. USGS Horse Basin
Anderson Peak as viewed from Peak 8726
Access
Primary access is via Walker Way Road. This occasionally-graded road cuts through this section of the Boulder Mountains from Trail Creek Road to the south and US-93 to the north. Walker Way Road is a well-engineered, narrow route that varies in quality but is for the most part in good condition. Nevertheless, a high-clearance vehicle is recommended. See also [(D)(2) on Page 243].
If approaching from the south, Trail Creek Road leaves US-93 16.0 miles north of Mackay. Follow it west for 7.2 miles. Turn right/north onto Peck Canyon/Walker Way Road. Follow this road north and the northeast for 9.6 miles. The unsigned and unmapped 4WD road begins at this spot.
If approaching from the north, follow US-93 south from the US-93/ID-75 junction for 18.2 miles and turn right/west onto [signed] Dry Gulch Road. Follow this road (which soon becomes Walker Way Road) southwest and then west for 11.7 miles. An unsigned 4WD road begins at this spot and runs generally west to Point 8718. Follow this road to Point 8718.
Anderson Peak as viewed from the south
Looking east from near the summit to the Pahsimeroi Range
2020 Trip Report by Margo Mandella
Access
Traveling northwest on US-93 from Mackay, drive over Willow Creek Summit and continue to the base of the pass. Turn left/south on a well-graded gravel road (Dry Gulch Road). Almost immediately (at a signed intersection), continue left/south on Dry Gulch Road for about 5 miles. From here, take a 4WD road that is signed open from 1/1-9/30 as it heads west. (Note: a high-clearance 4WD is recommended for most of the roads off Dry Gulch and Walker Way in this area.) Continue to a plateau at 8,718 feet. The climb of Anderson Peak is 4 miles roundtrip from this point. However, if you want to get closer, you can drive north along the fence line road to about 8,800 feet and begin hiking from there, which shortens the journey to 2 miles roundtrip.
The 4WD road “sign and chain gate” off Dry Gulch Road. Margo Mandella Photo
Southwest Ridge/Traverse Route, Class 2
Anderson Peak summit survey marker. Steve Mandella Photo
The pack trail traverse around Point 9068 that we somehow missed on our ascent. Margo Mandella Photo
Margo’s GPS track
New Routes by Livingston Douglas
This entry describes two new routes on Anderson Peak and includes a climb of nearby Peak 9018, an often-overlooked summit. This 2-peak adventure covers 10.2 miles with 3,700 feet of elevation gain round trip.
Anderson Peak (dead center) as viewed from the east. Livingston Douglas Photo
Access
From US-93 exactly 2.7 miles north of Willow Creek Summit, turn left/west onto [signed] Broken Wagon Road and reset your odometer. Take an immediate left at a road fork to head up Dry Gulch toward Road Creek Road. At 4.9 miles, reach a fork in Dry Canyon and an unsigned road junction. Park here next to a few cattle cisterns (7,378 feet).
Southeast Spur/East Ridge, Class 2
The Ascent (then Descent)
From the road junction, cross to the west side of Dry Gulch Road. You are now at the toe of the [impressive] southeast spurof Anderson Peak. Leave the road and scramble west up an easy slope of sagebrush and scattered mountain mahogany to reach the crest of the southeast spur. Follow the weaving ridge northwest then north then northwest up to a juncture with the east ridge at 8,400 feet. The short scrub on the southeast spur is an easy assignment.
Scramble west up the ridge up to a forested patch. Continue west up a forested ridge section that is more of a face. The forest is scattered pines and is not difficult. You can move left/south to follow the edge of the forest instead of bushwhacking up through it, if you wish. Once above the forest, the ridge becomes better defined but rockier. Scramble west up to the summit ridge then head right/north to reach the summit of Anderson Peak. The final section of ridge includes some rocky outcrops. The summit has a small cairn, triangulation posts/wiring, and two gold USGS benchmarks in separate ground boulders.
The summit hump of Anderson Peak (dead center) as viewed from high on the southeast ridge. Livingston Douglas Photo
The southeast ridge of Anderson Peak (left of center and rising diagonally right). The summit is the hump in dead center in the distance. Livingston Douglas Photo
Looking northwest from the summit of Anderson Peak. Peak 9018 is the gentle hump left of center in the distance. Livingston Douglas Photo
Northwest Ridge, Class 2
The Descent (then Ascent)
From the summit, descend northwest on the ridge crest through 3-4 rocky outcrops. It is best to skirt them on their right/east sides. I downclimbed one of the rocky outcrops. After passing these outcrops, the ridge is an easy combination of short scrub and broken scree. Head northwest then north through an easy, open pine forest. Stay a bit left/west of the ridge crest for the most open terrain in this partially-forested section of ridge. Once past the forest, the ridge quickly drops to a hidden, connecting saddle with Peak 9018. This 8,460-foot saddle concludes the first leg of today’s 2-peak journey. Peak 9018 is up next.
The northwest ridge of Anderson Peak (summit is left of center). It starts at the saddle at lower left, goes right-ish through the pines, then left-ish to the summit. Livingston Douglas Photo
The USGS benchmark atop Anderson Peak. Livingston Douglas Photo
Additional Photos
Did I mention wild flowers in June? I should have.
Lone Pine Peak’s isolation from the remaining Boulder Peaks is illustrated in this photo from Anderson Peak.
Anderson Peak is a good spot to see wild horses and elk in June. Several elk are crossing the ridge in the distance.
Additional Resources
