Elevation: 9,860 ft
Prominence: 1,080
Climbing information for this peak is on Pages 157-159 of the book. The Board of Geographic Names corrected the spelling of this peak’s name from McGown to McGowan in 2017. The peak is named for George McGowan an early settler in the Stanley valley. Updated July 2021
This very photogenic peak stands just to the west of an equally-photogenic cirque. The cirque is surrounded by McGowan Peak on the west, the McGown Tower (photo below) on the south and Peak 9820 on the east. The East Face and the Northeast Diagonal Couloir are the two routes listed in the book. See the link below for Elijah Weber’s excellent photographic trip report for climbing the Northeast Diagonal Couloir. Farther down the page, you will find photos by Dan Paulson documenting the East Face Route. USGS Stanley Lake
McGown Peak as viewed from ID-75.
McGown Peak as viewed from Peak 9820 looks much different than it does from the valley.
The McGown Tower sits on the south side of the McGown cirque. I don’t know if it has been climbed.
Looking down into the cirque from Peak 9820.
Another view of McGown Peak.
Yet another view of McGown Peak from the trail approach.
This shallow ponds found in the McGown Cirque are passed when climbing the East Face Route.
East Face Route Photos by Dan Paulson
The East Face of McGown Peak. The peak’s East Face is ill-defined in its lower slopes and there are a number of lines that you can follow. Dan Paulson Photo
As you ascend the East Face, it narrows and funnels toward the summit block. Dan Paulson Photo
The summit block requires a short section of Class 3 climbing. Dan Paulson Photo
This gully is full of deteriorated granite; care is needed to avoid slipping. Dan Paulson Photo
Additional Resources
Mountain Range: Sawtooth Range
Year Climbed: 1992
