Intro | The Ascent | Getting There | Facts

Mount Borah (or more commonly called Borah Peak) is Idaho's highest peak. From the summit, you can see into Oregon, most of Idaho and on very clear days the Grand Teton in Wyoming. To reach the summit of Borah, you must hike through dry forests, along steep cliffs and over the notorious Chicken Out Ridge. This is a great (but long) day hike, but can also be made into a multi-day climb as there are at least two campsites on the way up. This hike should only be done if you are in good shape and can handle altitudes above 10,000' well. This area is a desert and there are no water sources along the way. Bring at least two liters of water per person and lots of food.

Intro | The Ascent | Getting There | Facts

We started at about 7 in the morning, which worked out pretty good, but starting at 6 might have been better. The trail is pretty obvious, it just goes straight north from the parking lot and then curves right. As the first mile gains almost 2,000', you should expect it to get steep really quick. After about a quarter mile you will hike through an abandoned river bed and then start up a dusty death trap. The best way to get up this stuff is to step on tree the many roots beneath the gravel. The trail then curves to the left, where there is a nice spot to rest before the next climb.

Next the trail switchbacks to the east, going up another unbelievable slope. After the end of this hill, you will find yourself in an open rocky area with one campsite on your right. Don't even think about the summit yet, it is still 3,000 feet up. Follow the faint trail up the rocky slope up to this ridge. Now you can see Mount Borah. Follow this ridge to the east until you reach its end. I don't mean the trail ends, but the horizontal surfaces end. Yes, you have arrived at Chickenout Ridge.

I think the best way to get around Chickenout is to go over it, staying on the ridge line the whole way. On the ascent we went to the north side, but coming back we went over it, which was much easier. After crossing it, you may find some snow, which should be crossed very carefully, for if you fall with out an ice axe, you could slide many hundred feet until you hit rock.

Traverse the little peak on your right until you come to a small saddle between it and Borah. This is a good place to rest before the final push. I don't know how the others were affected by it, but looking at Borah from this viewpoint is not very pleasing. It isn't as vertical as it looks, but don't get your hopes up. The trail is nonexistent from here on, so everyone went their seperate ways. I went up the southeast ridgeline, which is kind of exposed, but here you can at least semi-climb and don't have to battle with the loose shale.

Instead of giong down the ridge, I went down a well-worn area of the south face. From here, just hike back down.

Intro | The Ascent | Getting There | Facts