madsjim
06-24-2007, 04:07 PM
With a few friends and a free weekend, the decision was to head towards Idaho and get the state highpoint, Borah. Leaving after work on a Friday afternoon, we passed through Blackfoot and on to Mackay. Arriving at the trailhead around 11:30 PM we threw our bivies on the ground and slept off and on knowing what was ahead of us the next day.
We got up around 5:30 AM, and finally hit the trail around 6:00. Right away you realize this is a steep trail. It practically goes straight up the mountain through a beautiful forest, no switchbacks, none at all! Coming out of the forest you begin an almost flatter section along the ridgeline. This is a great spot to look back and see the trailhead like a tiny speck way far down in the valley. As we continued we neared what is called "Chicken out Ridge". I had read a little about it and figured it wouldn't be too bad. There is a reason it deserves it name, alternating sections of third, fourth and low fifth class climbing can turn the faint of heart around. I had a great time on the ridge, great scrambling in my book makes a mountain fun to climb. At one point along the ridge their is a fixed rope to help people up, though it isn't necessary. The exposure in spots is quite extreme and gets the blood flowing. We encountered several snowfield crossings that were quite hard and icey, and at one point we waited an hour debating whether to continue across the last major one. This last snowfield was iced over and both sides had uninterrupted streches for several thousand feet. After taking a dose of courage (and waiting for the snow to soften) we continued across to the last stretch before the summit.
The summit block is a very steep, rocky scramble that at points seems to never end. The trail at points disappears and leaves you to find your own way through the jumble. After a long while you top out on the ridge that leads to the summit. The Lost River range where Borah is located is displayed all around and is breathtaking. It is always great to summit and this is a nice one.
After a bit on top, we headed back down. This is a horrible descent. Rocky and steep, you will take a beating. I will now skip to the end, arriving at the trailhead, my feet hurt and I had just finished hiking Idaho's highpoint.
After completing the climb, not being in a sane state of mind I promised never to return, this being a steep hard climb. Now a few days after I realize I would do it again.
Stats:
Elevation - 12,662 ft
Length - 3.5 miles
Elevation gain - 5,200 ft!
We got up around 5:30 AM, and finally hit the trail around 6:00. Right away you realize this is a steep trail. It practically goes straight up the mountain through a beautiful forest, no switchbacks, none at all! Coming out of the forest you begin an almost flatter section along the ridgeline. This is a great spot to look back and see the trailhead like a tiny speck way far down in the valley. As we continued we neared what is called "Chicken out Ridge". I had read a little about it and figured it wouldn't be too bad. There is a reason it deserves it name, alternating sections of third, fourth and low fifth class climbing can turn the faint of heart around. I had a great time on the ridge, great scrambling in my book makes a mountain fun to climb. At one point along the ridge their is a fixed rope to help people up, though it isn't necessary. The exposure in spots is quite extreme and gets the blood flowing. We encountered several snowfield crossings that were quite hard and icey, and at one point we waited an hour debating whether to continue across the last major one. This last snowfield was iced over and both sides had uninterrupted streches for several thousand feet. After taking a dose of courage (and waiting for the snow to soften) we continued across to the last stretch before the summit.
The summit block is a very steep, rocky scramble that at points seems to never end. The trail at points disappears and leaves you to find your own way through the jumble. After a long while you top out on the ridge that leads to the summit. The Lost River range where Borah is located is displayed all around and is breathtaking. It is always great to summit and this is a nice one.
After a bit on top, we headed back down. This is a horrible descent. Rocky and steep, you will take a beating. I will now skip to the end, arriving at the trailhead, my feet hurt and I had just finished hiking Idaho's highpoint.
After completing the climb, not being in a sane state of mind I promised never to return, this being a steep hard climb. Now a few days after I realize I would do it again.
Stats:
Elevation - 12,662 ft
Length - 3.5 miles
Elevation gain - 5,200 ft!