Verita Ridge - IDAHO: A Climbing Guide

The Leaning Tower of Pisa. Ray Brooks Photo

The Verita Ridge runs from the Sawtooth Crest northwest to Grandjean Peak. This ridge is the most impressive stretch of granite in the State of Idaho. It includes 6 impressive summits: Monte Verita, Peak 10100, Cirque Lake Peak, Warbonnet Peak, Peak 9807, Tohobit Peak, and Grandjean Peak. In addition to these peaks, the ridge contains a group of towers referred to as the Verita Ridge Complex.

The Verita Ridge Complex is located between Warbonnet Peak and the main Sawtooth Crest. These granite formations received a lot of attention in the 1960s by mountaineers like Fred Beckey. This early attention is understandable because the complex is composed of solid granite forming a variety of challenging, enticing shapes.

The ridge’s southern exposure (toward Goat Creek) is a steep mass of scree, talus, and hardpan. The north side of the ridge (which rises above Baron Creek) is generally composed of lovely, solid, high-angled slabs. Specific formations include Silicon Tower, Tilted Slab Pinnacle, Leaning Tower of Pisa, Damocles, Perforated Pinnacle, Mikes Pinnacle, Cirque Lake Tower, Dinner Tower, Lunch Tower, Breakfast Tower, and Dessert Tower. These formations are discussed on Pages 186-190 of the book.

The Verita Ridge viewed from the Cony Reward Divide. Warbonnet Peak (left) to Monte Verita. Bob Boyles Photo

The Verita Ridge as viewed from the Cony Reward Divide. Warbonnet Peak (left) to Monte Verita. Blue Rock Dome, Rainy Day Pinnacle and The Mayan Temple are in the foreground starting in the center of the page. Bob Boyles Photo

The peaks and formations found on the Lists of John website are shown on this map.

Access

The formations listed below are accessed from FST-101, which begins either at Redfish Lake [(A)(5)(c) on Page 207] or Grandjean [(B)(3)(c) on Page 209].

USGS Warbonnet Peak/SW