Find Nearby Peaks

This peak is not in the book. Published October 2025

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For a peak with only 20 feet of prominence, Blanche Rock is surprisingly beautiful, rugged, and worthy of a good scramble/climb. It towers over Kelly Canyon to its south and the Snake River to its southwest. Its summit is rocky, exposed, and airy. Not for the faint of heart. USGS Heise

Access

From US-26 northeast of Idaho Falls and east of Ririe, turn left/north onto the paved road that heads to the Kelly Mountain Ski Resort. Bear right at an unsigned “T” junction and continue east then left/north to cross the Snake River on a beautiful bridge. Once across the bridge, turn right/southeast onto [signed] Heise Road. Follow Heise Road along the Snake River to a signed junction with Kelly Canyon Road. This junction is 5.4 miles from US-26. Go straight here onto Kelly Canyon Road and drive 0.7 miles to a nice roadside pullout on the left/northwest side of the road. This pullout sits directly below [imposing] Blanche Rock. Park here [5,255 feet; 43°38’12”N, 111°39’18”W].

South Face/Northwest Ridge, Class 3+

The Climb

From the roadside pullout, bushwhack northwest up a climber’s trail that heads up a gully then a face. Alternatively, climb the ridge/shoulder on the left/southwest side of the gully—my descent route. The climber’s trail disappears partway up this route. Continue scrambling up and right to reach the northwest ridge of Blanche Rock. Cross a minor gully after passing an easy point on a minor sub-ridge. Once on the ugly, rocky, tower/block-clad northwest ridge, head right/southeast up a steep chute in a mix of blocks and scrub/bushes/small trees to reach the airy summit area.

Scramble briefly southeast then south on the narrow, exposed ridge crest to reach the high point. There is a final rocky block that is slightly lower than this point. When descending from the summit, descend southwest then south off the northwest ridge to avoid an impossible downclimb to get back into the ascent gully (or nearby ridge). Contrary to LOJ’s placement, the high point of Blanche Rock is very close to the southeast tip of the northwest ridge.