Was able to drive up Sawmill Gulch 2.8 miles to 8,485' in my Ford Explorer and never scraped bottom-but needed low range 4X4. Only 10 minute hike up the road where trail starts (I walked to the end of the road then over the boulders to Sawmill Gulch-don't do this, take the trail!). 2 hour 40 minute hike to Leatherman Pass, then it took me 3 hours to summit-had to down climb a few times and take another way up. Glad I was solo-I sent big rocks down the mountain while scrambling up and down. Also a few class 4 moves going up. 9 hours, 18 minutes round trip! Make sure you take ski poles, leather gloves, and gaiters.
somiaj - Sep 28, 2009 3:12 pm Date Climbed: Aug 5, 2008
Route: East Ridge
Climbed up to the Leatherman saddle from the West Fork of the Pahsimeroi. Followed the east ridge to the summit. There is a nice trail at the start but it gets a bit hard to follow once you hit the solid rock.
Had one of my most scariest experiences as I made a wrong decision and wet up a near class 4 gully and the rock I was holding on began to give out on me. I got to safety but did not enjoy watching my large hand hold roll down the mountain.
Went down the far more gentler north west gully to get back to the trial head. Beautiful day, rained on us but still enjoyable.
brendon - Sep 14, 2009 1:09 am Date Climbed: Sep 13, 2009
NE Face
Took my brother's boys up. Nice day. 8 of 9.
montanaboy - Sep 15, 2008 12:13 am Date Climbed: Sep 13, 2008
East Ridge
Some recent light snow was not an issue. Found the slabby rock up high to be much fun and a great alternative to all the loose crud.
Hustled over and scrambled up Peak 11909. I live a long ways away, had to maximize the opportunity.
merrill - Feb 8, 2008 3:50 pm Date Climbed: Mar 24, 2007
West Ridge
Fun snow climb. Beautiful camping at the top of Sawmill Gulch. The worst part was the hike out through the boulder field near where the road ends on the same day as we summited.
kdonaldson - Oct 15, 2007 9:46 am Date Climbed: Oct 14, 2007
Northeast Face
Went with my friend Rob and my dog Red. We did a more direct route up the Northeast face. Left the trailhead at 6:15. Weather was very cold (in the teens). Started hitting patches of snow along the trail and before crossing the creek we lost the trail and ended up bushwacking for a while. We saw bear tracks in the snow. Got to the upper meadow about 8 AM. From here it took us 4 hours to summit with solid snow all the way to the top. The snow varied from a few inches on rocks to deep snow up to your knees depending on where you went. Total of approx 6 hrs to summit. My 5th twelver, Rob's 2nd and Red's 2nd. We made it back to the trailhead in 3 hours for a total of 9 hours car to car.
nickkarl - Aug 27, 2007 10:03 am Date Climbed: Aug 25, 2007
East Ridge
Climbed the East ridge. Long dusty drive back there, but made the climb enjoyable. Climbed Borah the previous day, so it was great getting the 2nd highest mountain in Idaho right after the 1st. This was my 8th 12er. Stay to the right of the gulley the route is much eaiser over there!
Had an uneventful hike up the east ridge after the arduous drive to the east side. Nice weather but too hazy for much in the way of views
Super Dave - May 23, 2007 4:01 pm Date Climbed: May 20, 2007
West Ridge
This climb was an "instant classic" for me. Very cool peak, a ton of elevation gain, a fun challenging scramble, and a good climbing partner. Sean sums up our day pretty well in his entry below. Here’s a write up and some photos.
SawtoothSean - May 21, 2007 12:45 am Date Climbed: May 20, 2007
West Ridge
Great day scrambling with SuperDave. We had to negotiate around loose rock and snowfields to reach the summit which was capped with snow. The day was cloudy with winds that were very strong near Leatherman Pass and we had a brief spritzing of snow. We descended the northeast ridge and down into the West Fork of the Pahsimeroi Valley and then back up over Leatherman Pass from the north. Total net elevation gain was over 7000 feet in about 12 ground miles.
Route Climbed: Southwest Face Date Climbed: July 16,2005
My first trip up Leatherman very nice hike. I took the Southwest route to the summit. The rock is very fractured, and had a very close call with falling rocks.
Route Climbed: West Ridge Date Climbed: September 2004
Climbed this on a stormy September day. We barely climbed it before we were bombarded with rain and lightning. It is a great climb and very impressive from the West side.
Route Climbed: West Ridge Date Climbed: September 2002
Camped in Sawmill Gulch and climbed the ridge via Leatherman Pass next morning. Wish I had camped on Sawmill Pass...real beautiful spot. The ridge is very steep and very loose. Even solid-looking towers and walls can be easily disassembled. Very challenging scramble. The road up Sawmill Gulch is, of course, atrocious, and I ended up walking most of it.
Nice climb here, with awesome stream filled meadows and a gentle ascent to the east ridge. Got snowed on a bit, but the day was near perfect before and after the squall that moved through.
mfox79 - Aug 8, 2010 2:03 am
Re: Fun climb up the east faceYep, Sorry Rob. Not enough sleep over the last 24 hrs
BrookTroutLeiphart - Jul 30, 2010 12:43 am Date Climbed: Jul 28, 2010
West Ridge loose rocksWas able to drive up Sawmill Gulch 2.8 miles to 8,485' in my Ford Explorer and never scraped bottom-but needed low range 4X4. Only 10 minute hike up the road where trail starts (I walked to the end of the road then over the boulders to Sawmill Gulch-don't do this, take the trail!). 2 hour 40 minute hike to Leatherman Pass, then it took me 3 hours to summit-had to down climb a few times and take another way up. Glad I was solo-I sent big rocks down the mountain while scrambling up and down. Also a few class 4 moves going up. 9 hours, 18 minutes round trip! Make sure you take ski poles, leather gloves, and gaiters.
somiaj - Sep 28, 2009 3:12 pm Date Climbed: Aug 5, 2008
Route: East RidgeClimbed up to the Leatherman saddle from the West Fork of the Pahsimeroi. Followed the east ridge to the summit. There is a nice trail at the start but it gets a bit hard to follow once you hit the solid rock.
Had one of my most scariest experiences as I made a wrong decision and wet up a near class 4 gully and the rock I was holding on began to give out on me. I got to safety but did not enjoy watching my large hand hold roll down the mountain.
Went down the far more gentler north west gully to get back to the trial head. Beautiful day, rained on us but still enjoyable.
brendon - Sep 14, 2009 1:09 am Date Climbed: Sep 13, 2009
NE FaceTook my brother's boys up. Nice day. 8 of 9.
montanaboy - Sep 15, 2008 12:13 am Date Climbed: Sep 13, 2008
East RidgeSome recent light snow was not an issue. Found the slabby rock up high to be much fun and a great alternative to all the loose crud.
Hustled over and scrambled up Peak 11909. I live a long ways away, had to maximize the opportunity.
merrill - Feb 8, 2008 3:50 pm Date Climbed: Mar 24, 2007
West RidgeFun snow climb. Beautiful camping at the top of Sawmill Gulch. The worst part was the hike out through the boulder field near where the road ends on the same day as we summited.
kdonaldson - Oct 15, 2007 9:46 am Date Climbed: Oct 14, 2007
Northeast FaceWent with my friend Rob and my dog Red. We did a more direct route up the Northeast face. Left the trailhead at 6:15. Weather was very cold (in the teens). Started hitting patches of snow along the trail and before crossing the creek we lost the trail and ended up bushwacking for a while. We saw bear tracks in the snow. Got to the upper meadow about 8 AM. From here it took us 4 hours to summit with solid snow all the way to the top. The snow varied from a few inches on rocks to deep snow up to your knees depending on where you went. Total of approx 6 hrs to summit. My 5th twelver, Rob's 2nd and Red's 2nd. We made it back to the trailhead in 3 hours for a total of 9 hours car to car.
nickkarl - Aug 27, 2007 10:03 am Date Climbed: Aug 25, 2007
East RidgeClimbed the East ridge. Long dusty drive back there, but made the climb enjoyable. Climbed Borah the previous day, so it was great getting the 2nd highest mountain in Idaho right after the 1st. This was my 8th 12er. Stay to the right of the gulley the route is much eaiser over there!
boisedoc - Jul 22, 2007 10:48 pm Date Climbed: Jul 22, 2007
long drive short hikeHad an uneventful hike up the east ridge after the arduous drive to the east side. Nice weather but too hazy for much in the way of views
Super Dave - May 23, 2007 4:01 pm Date Climbed: May 20, 2007
West RidgeThis climb was an "instant classic" for me. Very cool peak, a ton of elevation gain, a fun challenging scramble, and a good climbing partner. Sean sums up our day pretty well in his entry below. Here’s a write up and some photos.
SawtoothSean - May 21, 2007 12:45 am Date Climbed: May 20, 2007
West RidgeGreat day scrambling with SuperDave. We had to negotiate around loose rock and snowfields to reach the summit which was capped with snow. The day was cloudy with winds that were very strong near Leatherman Pass and we had a brief spritzing of snow. We descended the northeast ridge and down into the West Fork of the Pahsimeroi Valley and then back up over Leatherman Pass from the north. Total net elevation gain was over 7000 feet in about 12 ground miles.
skunk ape - Feb 27, 2007 12:03 am
ski tripfirst time in the summer of 99, second, on March 12 2005 for a ski down on lame snow and worse weather.
rok_doc - Nov 18, 2005 10:54 am
Route Climbed: Southwest Face Date Climbed: July 16,2005My first trip up Leatherman very nice hike. I took the Southwest route to the summit. The rock is very fractured, and had a very close call with falling rocks.
pete parrish - Aug 9, 2005 12:30 am
Route Climbed: NNE gulley route Date Climbed: 8/4/2005Great route. Great weather. Pete Parrish and Brandon Rich. 7hrs round trip. Please see my trip report.
punk_rocker333 - Apr 30, 2005 8:22 pm
Route Climbed: West Ridge Date Climbed: September 2004Climbed this on a stormy September day. We barely climbed it before we were bombarded with rain and lightning. It is a great climb and very impressive from the West side.
mr kieran - Mar 19, 2005 6:21 pm
Route Climbed: West Ridge Date Climbed: September 2002Camped in Sawmill Gulch and climbed the ridge via Leatherman Pass next morning. Wish I had camped on Sawmill Pass...real beautiful spot. The ridge is very steep and very loose. Even solid-looking towers and walls can be easily disassembled. Very challenging scramble. The road up Sawmill Gulch is, of course, atrocious, and I ended up walking most of it.
IdahoSummits - May 7, 2004 3:28 pm
Route Climbed: East Ridge Date Climbed: 8/24/2002Nice climb here, with awesome stream filled meadows and a gentle ascent to the east ridge. Got snowed on a bit, but the day was near perfect before and after the squall that moved through.
IdahoClimber - Nov 20, 2003 12:08 pm
Route Climbed: East Ridge Date Climbed: June 8th, 2003This was my girlfriend's first snow climb. Camping at the trailhead was great, by the creek, cool at night.
Met two backcountry skiers that were loving the bowl.
The summit was probably covered with 10 feet of snow.
One of the best Idaho offers.
Here is the link for the trip report http://www.addictedtogear.net/leather.html