Lost River Peak Hiking Guide

Lost River Peak Trailhead, Parking & Camping

In the past, there was a fairly direct route to the trailhead via the well-used Upper Cedar Creek Road. Unfortunately, a landowner in the area has since locked a gate along this road, making the old approach no longer viable. The current route to the trailhead is as follows:

From Mackay, head northwest on US-93N for 6.6 miles, or 0.8 miles northwest of Upper Cedar Creek Road. Turn right onto an unmarked dirt road, then make an immediate right. Follow this road for 2.3 miles, where you will keep left at the fork. About 0.6 miles from there, the road turns to the east. Another half mile after that, make a left turn northward. The trailhead is at the end of this road in one mile. The road does not require AWD/4WD, though high clearance is recommended. The trailhead has plenty of areas for setting up a tent or car camp, though there are no vault toilets or other amenities. 

Southwest "Super Gully" Route Overview

Lost River Peak is climbed via the Southwest “Super Gully,” a brutally steep drainage that rises directly toward the summit. The route is short on paper, but almost all of the difficulty is packed into a narrow vertical push. Hikers gain elevation quickly on unstable scree and loose rubble, with the steepness rarely letting up. The result is a route that feels far bigger and more draining than its modest mileage suggests.

Trailhead to Treeline

From the parking area, head east/northeast through low trees and brush as you reach the ridge above the right (south) side of the creek. Head up the slope, staying alongside the ridge above the creek until the trail becomes visible. Shortly after finding the trail, it will turn left and cross down to the creek’s north side. 

Make your way up the trail as it climbs 1,200 feet in over half a mile through the forest to the end of the tree line. Deadfall often blocks the path, so be prepared to climb over or navigate around it. Once you reach the very last tree, which stands on its own away from others, you can view the entirety of the route up the Super Gully. This is a great location to catch a breath and put on your helmet before entering the seemingly endless scree field that is the Super Gully.

The Super Gully

The Super Gully is a rather infamous landmark in the Idaho Twelver lineup, and is just behind Chicken Out Ridge for notoriety. This southwest-facing gully gains over 1,700 feet in less than three-quarters of a mile on nightmarishly steep scree, which often sees climbers sliding downhill with each step toward the summit. Loose boulders disturbed by hikers repeatedly pummel down this shooting gallery onto the trail below, which is why it is often climbed on snow in the spring. Hiking poles and a helmet are a must for this route! The gully is a massive rock fall hazard. Be mindful of hikers below you and coordinate movements to minimize exposure to rockfall.

Follow the trail to the left and climb the gully as it heads toward the narrow cliffed-in bottleneck. The path usually provides solid footing for the lower sections of the gully, but as it enters the cliff walls, the rock becomes looser and makes staying on the trail difficult. Past the bottleneck, the cliff walls will open up, and the trail itself may be too steep to climb from here onward. To avoid sliding downhill with every step, stay to the left of the trail on the larger rocks. This upper section of the gully is the most mentally demanding of the route, but power through it one step at a time. 

The Top of the Super Gully to the Summit

Once you reach the top of the Super Gully, you can finally see the true summit a quarter mile away. The remainder of the hike is a classic ridge walk. Watch your footing as both sides lead to aggressive falls. You can see the scree bowl route up to Breitenbach to the left of the ridge.

At the summit, you will have great views of Mount Breitenbach to the northwest and Paragon Peak to the southeast. On the descent, the Super Gully trails that proved too steep on the ascent provide excellent opportunities to "scree glissade,” allowing you to descend rapidly. Just remember to be conscious of hikers below you.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Hard is Lost River Peak?

Lost River Peak is rated Class 3, but its real challenge is not technical complexity so much as the relentless steepness and awful footing. This is one of the more mentally and physically exhausting hikes among Idaho’s 12ers. The short distance can fool people into thinking it will be quick and easy, but the climb often feels like a grind from start to finish. Strong legs, patience, and comfort on loose terrain go a long way here.

What Makes the Super Gully So Brutal?

The defining feature of this mountain is the Super Gully itself. It is steep, filled with scree, and notorious for making hikers feel like they are climbing a treadmill of loose rock. Progress can be frustratingly slow, especially on descent when the loose surface demands extra care. A helmet is a must, particularly if climbing with other people, since rockfall is a serious concern in terrain like this.

Best Time to Hike

Lost River Peak is increasingly popular as a late spring snow climb, when consolidated snow can make the ascent more efficient than the loose summer scree. In summer and early fall, the route is usually dry and brutally loose. Early-season climbs can be excellent in the right conditions, but they introduce avalanche danger and require proper snow travel judgment. Conditions matter more here than on many other peaks.

Tips, Gear, and Common Mistakes

Bring all of your water, since the drainage is often dry despite appearances. A helmet is essential. One common mistake is underestimating how much the loose footing will sap energy. Another is starting too late; because the gully is so steep and tiring, fatigue can compound quickly. Spring climbers should also be honest about avalanche conditions and snow stability before using snow as a shortcut through the scree.

Should You Hike Lost River Peak?

Lost River Peak is a good choice for hikers who do not mind suffering a bit and want a short but intense Lost River objective. It is not the prettiest or most elegant route among Idaho’s 12ers, but it has a certain directness that appeals to strong climbers. Those who hate loose scree or want a more scenic, flowing climb may prefer another peak first.