Mount Church / Donaldson Peak
Elevation
(Church) 12,200 ft (Donaldson) 12,023 ft
Climbing Route
North Fork of Jones Creek (Church - East Ridge; Donaldson - West Ridge)
Rating
Class 3
Elevation Gain
5,400 ft for both (4,650 ft for Donaldson Peak, and an additional 750 ft for Mount Church)
Round Trip Distance
8.1 miles for both
Round Trip Time
10 hours for both
Water
Water is available from the creek for the first two miles, and also available from the Upper and Lower Ponds, though these ponds may be dried up by late season
Name
Mount Church: No official name. Unofficially named after Idaho Senator Frank Church. Donaldson Peak: No official name. Unofficially named after Idaho Supreme Court Justice Charles Donaldson
First Ascent
Unknown for either
Nearest Town
Mackay, ID
Prominence
Church: 919 ft Donaldson: 302 ft
GPX File
Map File
Mount Church and Donaldson Peak are unique among the Twelvers as they are typically climbed together during the same hike. The hike begins in a rocky creek with a moderately defined trail, but eventually leads you to a high pond in a panoramic cirque that can often appear like a small glacial lake. The long ridge walk between the two mountains, which has several instances of exposed Class 3 climbing, requires spending an extended period of time at altitude, so be sure to watch the skies for any developing thunderclouds.