Elevation: 8,238 ft
Prominence: 498
This peak is not in the book. Livingston Douglas added two photos. Updated November 2022
Peak 8238, also known as Gora Euzkotarak Peak, is located north of the main crest of the Soldier Mountains in the Boise National Forest. The peak is located in a very scenic area with giant views of the surrounding mountains and countryside. A carved marker on the summit contains the words Gora Euzkotarak, which I assume is a name picked by a Basque sheep herder as this area is used for sheep grazing every summer and many Basque came to Idaho as sheep herders.
The Basque words translate as follows: Gora = Rise Up and Euzkotarak = Patriot. Thanks to Dan Robbins of Idaho Summits for finding the interpretation. USGS Sydney Butte
Gora Euzkotarak Peak as viewed from Salt Creek Peak.
The marker on the summit of Gora Euzkotarak Peak. The words are upside down. Could this be a grave?
Access
From US-20 in Fairfield, Idaho, drive through downtown Fairfield to a three-way junction. Turn right onto Baseline Road and drive 0.3 miles and then turn left onto Soldier Creek Road. Follow this paved road for 7.5 miles to the signed junction for the Couch Summit Road. This well-maintained gravel road reaches Couch Summit in 4.3 miles. At this pass, turn left onto FS-010 and follow this well-maintained road for 4.6 miles to a large meadow that sits between Salt Creek Peak, Basque Peak, and Gora Euzkotarak Peak. FS-010 is a surprisingly good road and, when dry, most passenger vehicles will be able to traverse it.
A closed 4WD road climbs from FS-010 up the peak’s Northwest Slopes nearly to the summit. Follow this road until it steepens and then traverse upward to your left to the summit. My GPS recorded 0.6 miles and 479 feet of elevation gain. Class 2.
My GPS track.
Summit view from the top of Gora Euzkotarak Peak. Salt Creek Peak is in mid-ground, just left of center. Livingston Douglas Photo
The open summit of Gora Euzkotarak Peak with its two summit cairns. Livingston Douglas Photo
Additional Resources
Regions: Soldier Mountains->WESTERN IDAHO
Mountain Range: Soldier Mountains
Year Climbed: 2016
Longitude: -114.84659 Latitude: 43.53201