Borah Peak
Elevation
12,662 ft
Climbing Route
Southwest Ridge
Rating
Class 3
Elevation Gain
5,600 ft
Round Trip Distance
8.2 Miles
Round Trip Time
9.5 Hours
Water
No consistent source
Name
The mountain was named after William Borah, a United States Senator from Idaho
First Ascent
USGS surveyor T.M. Bannon in 1912
Nearest Town
Mackay, ID
Prominence
5,982 ft (Ultra-prominent)
GPX File
Map File
As the highest point in Idaho, Borah Peak, or Mount Borah as many people call it, towers over the surrounding mountains in the Lost River Range. This classic hike is the most popular Twelver (12er) and is home to the aptly named “Chicken Out Ridge,” a knife-edged scramble that sees many hikers call it quits. There is a well-defined trail for much of the hike, though the final stretch up the mountain may be difficult to navigate for novice climbers. The Borah Glacier, a rock glacier located on the north slope of the mountain, is the only active glacier in Idaho.