Boulder Mountain 8377

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Elevation: 8,377 ft
Prominence: 797

Find Nearby Peaks

Climbing and access information for this peak is on Page 114 of the book. Below you will find John Platt’s new and interesting route for this peak. Updated April 2018

This peak, one of 3 Idaho summits named Boulder Mountain, offers great views and is one of the easier summits to climb in the McCall area. As of July 2001, the Boulder Peak Trail had not been maintained in a long time. However, it is still in fair condition and can be followed most of the way to the summit. Look for cairns that lead over the spots where the trail’s tread is a bit sketchy. There is an excellent view from the top of this peak along with the ruins of an old fire lookout. Ask the Forest Service to repair the trail. USGS Fitsum Summit

Boulder Mountain's west ridge. Dave Pahlas Photo

The West Ridge of Boulder Mountain. Dave Pahlas Photo

The summit of Boulder Mountain with three hikers and the sketchy remains of the fire lookout. John Platt Photo

The summit of Boulder Mountain with 3 hikers and the sketchy remains of the fire lookout. John Platt Photoj

The,Boulder Lake Drainage is a good base camp for climbing Boulder Mountain and Buckhorn Mountain.

The Boulder Lake drainage is a good base camp for climbing Boulder Mountain and Buckhorn Mountain.

Northwest Ridge Route, Class 2 by John Platt

Access

A map is pretty useful in this area because after you leave the pavement, none of the roads are marked. Take the Boulder Mountain Road from Farm to Market, just like you were heading to Boulder Lake. When the pavement ends, go about another mile. Just past the cattle guard, turn left. People camp here, so there is a confusion of tracks- look for the (main) one that heads north and uphill. Note: it shows signs of being gravelled at some time in the past. Stay on the main road past several spurs and through a couple of switchbacks as the road eventually heads up and strongly east.
Eventually, you have to make a hard left onto a steep spur, but your other choice was blocked.
As this steep spur gains the ridge crest in 300-400 yards, bear right. Go through another switchback on the ridge top, then in another mile or so, look for a spur to the left that takes you out into a meadowy hillside. Either park here or fold in your mirrors and drive another 1/4 mile to the road’s end. Although not marked, the Shaw Twin Lakes Trail should be obvious. Note: the upper part of this road goes through trees on the North Side of a ridge at elevation…. so don’t try it until the visible snow has been gone for some time. Also note: this explains the BEST road, but other roads can be used if you have the appropriate vehicle.
Our access route. This map shows the network of roads leading toward the northwest ridge.

Our access route. This map shows the network of roads leading toward the Northwest Ridge.

Route

From the trailhead northwest of the summit, we hiked a loop heading into Shaw Twin Lakes. We then ascended, as shown on the map below, to the top of the Northwest Ridge which we followed to the summit. For our descent, we followed the Northwest Ridge back to the trailhead. Our round-trip stats: 5.4 miles with 1,560 feet of elevation gain and 3:59 hours of hiking time.

John’s trip report is linked below.

John Platt’s Northwest Ridge route mapped out. Read John’s trip report for further details.

John Platt’s Northwest Ridge Route mapped out. Read John’s trip report for further details.

Additional Resources

Regions: Lick Creek Range->WESTERN IDAHO->Western Salmon River Mountains

Mountain Range: Western Salmon River Mountains

Year Climbed: 2006

Longitude: -115.93819   Latitude: 44.88119

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