Find Nearby Peaks

Climbing and access information for this peak is on Page 236 of the book. In addition to the routes found in the book, Livingston Douglas has provided a route description for the Class 4 south ridge/southwest couloir descent route which is set out below.

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Although not the tallest Boulder Mountains Peak, Boulder Peak is the most visible. It thrusts out from the main Boulder Mountains Crest and dominates the view from ID-75 to its southwest. Use the link below to read Larry Prescott’s 2016 trip report. USGS Easley Hot Springs

South Ridge/Southwest Couloir, Class 4 by Livingston Douglas 

Access

FSR-184 [(A)(8.1) on Page 241]. This route is part of a climb of Peak 11041/Boulder Basin Peak via its west face/south ridge (Class 3) and a ridge traverse to Boulder Peak via the northwest ridge (Class 4) of Boulder Peak.

The Descent

This is the final leg of a loop route that included a climb of Peak 11041/Boulder Basin Peak and Boulder Peak. It is the descent route that I took from the summit of Boulder Peak down to the end of FSR-184. Consequently, the route is described as a descent. It was intended to be an easier descent route than the standard south ridge route on Boulder Peak, which I had climbed and descended back in 2006.

From the summit of Boulder Peak, descend the south ridge on a climber’s trail to a large ridge tower (“upper tower”) at approximately 10,300 feet. Skirt the east side of this tower on exposed ledges to reach a minor saddle between the “upper tower” and a “lower tower” at about 10,200 feet. At this saddle between the two towers, there is a prominent couloir that reaches all the way to the ridge from the west side. This couloir descends southwest from the ridge and is clearly visible on the Easley Hot Springs quadrangle.

Leave the south ridge and descend the southwest couloir. Initially, the couloir is loose gravel/scree. The scree becomes more stable as the couloir steepens and narrows. Eventually, the couloir becomes solid rock but presents possible cliffs between it and the valley floor. The couloir requires down-climbing on Class 4 ledges and other face rock to reach the scree field at the base of the couloir. From the base of the couloir, descend scree fields on the east side of West Fork Boulder Creek to reach FSR-184 and the parking area.