Mount Heinen

Idaho, United States, North America

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Boise Mountains
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Mount Heinen

Page Type:	Mountain/Rock
Lat/Lon:	43.66170°N / 115.8761°W
Elevation:	6396 ft / 1950 m
	Sign the Climber's Log!

Overview

Mt. Heinen is located on the western edge of the Boise Mountains, between the North Fork and the Middle Fork of the Boise River. Hidden from view from most all the nearby valleys, Heinan is a good low elevation training mountain that offers many different approaches. Mt. Heinen has a marked Native American cultural significance. Ancient man used it's slopes and nearby valleys for hunting and camping. The evidence is apparent in the arrowheads found along it's ridgelines, and the lithic debitage (obsidian flakes) found at the lower confluences of nearby rivers and creeks. There is one particular confluence, where strong evidence of ancient campgrounds exist. This happens to be the only spot where Heinen is visible as a significant landmark

On the east side of Heinen exists the Cottonwood Ranger Station and one of the few trailhead and foot trails in the Boise Mountains. The single-track trail leads up to Thorn Creek Butte. One of the major roads, the South Fork of Thorn Creek, was washed out in the mid 1990's and never repaired. This used to be an easy northern approach to Heinen. The summit of Heinen affords great views of Shafer Butte, Cervidae Peak, Thorn Creek Butte, and Pilot Peak. On clear days, the Sawtooths are visible to the northeast.

Nearby Baldy is the site of a government plane crash in the 1960's. A military plane was making it's way from the Horseshoe Bend area (from the northwest) during a raging storm. Just before colliding into the upper side of the mountain, the pilots ejected to safety. There are still remnants of the plane near the top of Baldy. Baldy sits above ID-21 just past Robie Creek and is blocked off by private property from that direction.

Here are the approaches on Mt. Heinen:

1) South Ridge (Class1-2) - Along the Middle Fork of the Boise Road, past Arrowrock Dam, park near the Irish Creek Campground. Follow the ridge to the northwest and just east of Irish Creek along a steep Jeep road. Crest at point 5402 and follow the ridge along points 5599 and 6137 until you reach the summit.

Total Mileage / Distance: 4.5 miles / 3880 feet (one-way)

2) East Ridge (Class 2) - Along the Middle Fork of the Boise Road, past Arrowrock Dam, take the Cottonwood Creek road north. 1.3 miles north of the Ranger Station park your vehicle. Be wary of nearby private land. Hike the east ridge above Toms or Garden Gulch. Avoid the gulleys to avoid the brush. This provides a short, but steep approach.

Total Mileage / Distance: 2.5 miles / 3330 feet (one-way)

3) North Ridge via Minneha Creek (Class 1) - Minneha Creek is right off ID-21, 0.75 miles past the Grimes Creek turnoff. Park off the highway and follow Minneha Creek through a basalt canyon for 0.6 miles. The valley then opens up. You can see the damage here from a major wildfire many years ago. This area is home to the Lewis Woodpecker, Mountain Lions, Deer, Elk, and Coyote. Take the prominent perpendicular valley to the south of the main Minneha Valley and make your way via old jeep roads up onto the ridges. Follow the ridges (many options) to the highest point south. Continue up a very steep Jeep road until it peters out near point 5180. From here the peak is clearly visible. Hike cross country to point 5249 for 2.4 miles staying north and above Smith Creek. This will put you directly north of Heinen. Hike the ridge to the summit. Note: in the upper reaches of the main Minneha Creek exists remnants from an abandoned nudist camp. Still visible are a tennis court, swimming pool, building foundations, and many other unknown objects.

Total Mileage / Distance: 7.5 miles / 5185 feet (one-way)

3) Northwest Ridge via Dunnigan / Smith Creek (Class 1)- This is a "poach" route and is not recommended because of private property issues. On ID-21, just past Dagget Creek, turn right onto Dunnigan Creek Road. Park at the "T". The route follows a Jeep road up Dunnigan Creek up to some switchbacks that go up and over to Smith Creek. Just northwest of Heinen, there is a saddle and flat area. Ascend the northwest ridge to the summit.

Total Mileage / Distance: 8 miles / 5760 feet (one-way)

First ascent was accomplished by Native Americans. The first modern day ascent is unknown, but was most likely by the first explorers, settlers, miners, and trappers in the region. There are significant mining remnants in the area.

Getting There

Road Approach

For the South and East Routes- Take ID-21 north from Boise and turn off right at the Spring Shores Marina / Arrowrock Dam Road and follow that road for 14 miles to Irish Creek or 18 miles to the Cottonwood Ranger Station.
For the Minneha Creek Approach- Take ID-21 north to near Mile Marker 30 and park near the seasonal gate.

Maps: USGS Dunnigan Creek Quad, Arrowrock Reservoir NE Quad, Grape Mountain Quad