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My Top 10 Favorite Climbs in Idaho and Utah
It's time that I put together a list of my top ten favorite climbs. Since most of my activity has been in either Idaho or Utah I have included a top ten list for both states.
Idaho Top 10
It's really hard to pick favorites but I feel that this lists give a good mix of peaks that I really enjoyed climbing for one reason or another.
10. Tripod Peak
This peak is not terribly spectacular in terms of elevation or ruggedness but the hike is very enjoyable and scenic, and for me, memorably so. Tripod Peak
Tripod Peak from Long Valley
9. Deep Creek Peak
Once again, another overlooked peak but an interesting climb that I really enjoyed in a surprisingly interesting area. The peak commands a great view of Southern Idaho. Deep Creek Peak
Photo by Matthew Durrant. Nov. 2013
8. Mt. Idaho
One of the best 12er climbs in Idaho. Elkhorn Creek is interesting and the route up Mt. Idaho is challenging and rewarding with a few surprises. The view of the Lost River Range in both directions is also excellent! Mt. Idaho
Mt. Idaho's SW Face
7. Standhope Peak
This is an amazing peak in one of the most spectacular places in Idaho. The Copper Basin area of the Pioneers is one of my favorite places on Earth and Standhope is right in the best part. The rock is pretty good, and the climb is very satisfying. The view from the top can't be beat, neither can the time spent at Idaho's highest lake (Goat Lake) at the foot of the peak. Standhope Peak
Standhope Ice
6. The Box
This climb was taxing and cold but the summit offered a view worth all the gold in the world, especially in the winter. All of the big peaks of the Central Pioneers are visible from a great angle at the top of this peak, In my mind there isn't much that can beat a Pioneer summit. The Box TR
Pioneer Panorama
5. White Mountain
The beautiful geology of this area is worth the trip. White Mountain earns its name from the beautiful white rock on its slopes. The climb is a great class 3 scramble and the summit has a wonderful view of the Frank Church Wilderness and the White Clouds. White Mountain
White Mountain from South Twin
4. Leatherman Peak
While there isn't much remarkable about the peak itself, other than its status as the 2nd highest peak in Idaho, but the approach hike is absolutely gorgeous. The drive to get to the approach is an adventure in and of itself as well. Leatherman Peak
Leatherman Peak
3. Mt. Church/ Donaldson
To climb Church you pretty much have to do Donaldson as well. While getting to the summit of Donaldson is cool the best thing about this trip is the ridge traverse between the two. This ridge is one of the funnest scrambles I've ever done! Mt. Church
Church's East Ridge
2. Shelly Mountain/White Knob Traverse
Bagging four 11ers in a day is a real treat. Doing it all in an area with incredible views and solitude is even better. Shelly Mountain is a real treat but it would be incomplete without bagging Redbird, Lime, and Cabin as well. White Knob Mountains
Morning Light on Shelly
1. Duncan Peak
I know this is an odd choice for the number one slot but I found Hyndman's western neighbor to be a very enjoyable climb. The route finding was what was the most fun to me. The peak seemed like a puzzle that unlocked as you got higher and higher. There was some really fun scrambling to be had as well and on this trip the company couldn't be beat! Duncan Peak
Duncan Path
Utah Top 10
Utah is also hard to choose from because there are so many great peaks but here is a list of peaks that I enjoyed particularly.
10. Stansbury Island South
While this is a small peak (6,070 ft.) by comparison to other peaks near Salt Lake City it is still a really fun climb that doesn't take too long to get to from town. The best part about this peak is the class 3 climbing required to reach the summit of this peak. It is small but surprisingly awesome. Stansbury Island South
Rugged Stansbury Peak
9. Clayton Peak
While this mountain is the highest "peak" is Wasatch County it is not the highest actual "point" Nevertheless it is a close escape from Salt Lake City and can be done in a very short time. The view from the top is great and the hike is very enjoyable. I rarely repeat peaks but since this one is so close and accessible I have done it three times and will probably do it more. Clayton Peak
Clayton Peak from 10,420. Photo by Matthew Durrant 2014.
8. Lamotte Peak
Climbing this peak was a sufferfest of exceptional caliber. However, the peak itself and the area were spectacular. Lamotte Peak TR
Lamotte Panorama
7. Flat Top (Bear River)
Growing up in Cache Valley I saw this peak pretty much everyday of my life but I never climbed it until I moved away. While visiting home a few years ago I had the chance to climb it and it turned out to be really cool. The trail is really neat and the actual summit is very interesting. Flat Top
Flat Top from Mt. Jardine
6. Mt. Watson
This is a fun and easily accessible Uinta peak. I did it in the late fall when all the lakes in the basins below the mountain were frozen over. There was very little snow though so navigation was easy. The frozen lakes were a real treat and the view from the top was awesome. Mt. Watson
Mt. Watson Over Cliff Lake
5. Doubletop
This is another peak that I saw everyday growing up in Cache Valley but I actually did climb it a few times as a kid. Double Top is the second highest peak in the Bear River Range and is only a mile or so south of the Idaho border. The climb is very enjoyable and the view is amazing. Doubletop
Doubletop from Cache Valley
4. Kings Peak
The area is crowded but the climb is is neat and the area is pretty spectacular. Kings Peak
King's Peak from Henry's Fork Basin. Photo by Matthew Durrant August 2013.
3. Deseret Peak
This is a pleasant surprise West of Salt Lake City. It is not only one of Utah's ultra-prominent peaks but it sits in the center of a beautiful Wilderness area and is a great way to escape the crowds of the Wasatch. The climb is enjoyable and the scenery is great! Deseret Peak
Deseret Peak
2. Ibapah Peak
The Deep Creek Range is the hidden gem of Utah. At the edge of the West Desert, almost in Nevada, it is difficult to just get there. However, it is an oasis in the desert with thick forests and fantastic rock formations. Ibapah is also one of Utah's ultra-prominent peaks and has a view that stretches a hundred miles or more. The climb is well worth the effort it takes to get there. Ibapah Peak
1. Hayden Peak
This is another peak that is like unlocking a giant puzzle. The route finding and climbing on the peak are wonderful and the area is quite spectacular. The peak looks incredibly difficult to climb but it reveals the way to the top little by little as you go. The mountain is not very far from Salt Lake City either and is worth doing over and over again. The exceptional class 3/4 climbing and the intriguing route finding make this the top of my Utah list. Hayden Peak
Hayden Peak