The 4.2 million acre Salmon-Challis National Forest is rich in history and natural resources. The Salmon-Challis is one of the largest national forests in the country with an immense amount of unroaded, wild lands that support an immeasurable number of recreational opportunities. The Salmon-Challis National Forest also provides habitat for numerous plants and wildlife species, as well as plays a key role in the water needs of the region. To celebrate the importance of the Salmon-Challis National Forest, ICL has a blog series celebrating this vital land and the opportunities provided within.
The Lost River Range in the Salmon-Challis National Forest (SCNF) is the roof of Idaho—home to the state’s highest peak (Borah Peak) and six of Idaho’s nine peaks over 12,000 feet. Two of these peaks, Mount Church and Donaldson Peak, are connected by a ridgeline, making it possible for intrepid hikers to climb them both in one day. However, this endeavor is not for the faint of heart—it requires good fitness, comfort with class 3 scrambling, and solid preparation.
Preparing for the climb
A few summers ago, a few friends of mine from the Wood River Valley and I set off to climb Church and Donaldson together in a day. We went through our normal checklist to get ready for the climb, which looks something like this:
- Weather – Much of this climb is above treeline and exposed, so good weather is a must. We checked the weather forecast in the days leading up to the climb, making sure we had clear skies and minimal chance of afternoon thunderstorms. Even with a clear forecast, storms can pop up on any given summer afternoon in the Idaho high country, so it is always a good idea to start early and get back below treeline by mid-afternoon.
- Gear – Having the right gear is essential for a safe and successful climb. For a hike like this, our gear list included: food, water, raingear, puffy jacket, hat, gloves, hiking shoes with good traction, retractable hiking poles, and emergency gear (more on that below).
- Safety – Communicate your hiking plan with others so they know where you are going and when to expect you back by. We also brought emergency gear such as a first aid kit, emergency blanket, and satellite messenger/SOS device.
Up, up, and up
On a cool August morning, we set off from the trailhead, where we had camped the night before to ensure an early start. After an hour or so of hiking up a narrow valley, we emerged into the glorious alpine basin below towering peaks of crumbling rock. The Lost River Range, despite being the highest in Idaho, is made up of sedimentary rock that used to be an ancient tropical seabed around 400 million years ago. You can even find small marine fossils in the rocks on the summits of these now 12,000+ foot peaks! These steep mountains have since been uplifted by faulting, growing roughly 10 feet at a time over the course of thousands of earthquakes. The last major earthquake in the region was the magnitude 7.3 Borah Peak earthquake in 1983, the largest ever recorded in Idaho.
Moving further up into the basin, vegetation of any kind gave way to piles and piles of crumbly rock. We carefully ascended a rock-strewn gully to gain the sharp ridgeline that connects Church and Donaldson. We first did the quick, straightforward ascent to Donaldson before heading back down the ridge and over to Church. This ridgeline is the crux of the entire day; the ridge is relatively short but is narrow, exposed, and scrambly (class 3). After carefully navigating the ridge section, we joyously stood atop the 3rd highest peak in Idaho. After some photos and a quick snack, it was time to retrace our steps and begin the long journey back down to the car before any afternoon storms rolled in. A few rock-hopping filled hours later, we returned to our cars, tired but immensely satisfied with the day.
Final thoughts
Being able to climb not one but two of Idaho’s magnificent 12,000-foot peaks in a single day was truly a memorable experience. For me, it was a reminder of how rugged and vast the Salmon-Challis National Forest (SCNF) is and the importance of protecting these special places for other people to enjoy and the wildlife these alpine areas support. While the rocky, high alpine landscapes of the Lost River Range seem barren and devoid of life, they are critically important habitat for climate-sensitive species, such as the pika, providing cooler refuges as our climate continues to warm. This part of the range is also a recommended wilderness area, to be managed by the Forest Service to preserve wilderness values in the event this area is designated in the future. ICL will re-engage in the forest plan revision process on the SCNF once it resumes in order to safeguard these important landscapes and the critters that inhabit them.
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