Elevation: 5,370 ft
Prominence: 590
This peak is not in the book.
Fiddler Benchmark is located on the northernmost Danskin Mountains ridge that runs from Danskin Peak in the southeast to Hutton Peak in the northwest. This ridge parallels the South Fork Boise River Canyon. The USGS benchmark is located on the eastern end of the undulating summit ridge. Based only on my observation, I believe that the actual high point is found on a granite outcrop on the west end of the summit ridge. USGS Grape Mountain
The USGS benchmark.
Fiddler Benchmark as viewed from upper Lambing Creek.
I believe that the highest point on Fiddler Benchmark is located on top of this granite outcrop. A short Class 3 scramble gets you on top.
Access
The summit, which is crossed by the Danskin Mountains OHV trail system, can be accessed from a number of directions. The shortest access is from I-84 and the Blacks Creek Road/FS-189 [(G)(1) on Page 156]. Both routes listed below use this approach.
Routes
Willow Creek/Lambing Creek, Class 1+
FST-400 and FST-410 both start at the Willow Creek Trailhead. Both trails will get you to Lambing Creek and FST-412. There is plenty of parking at the trailhead. FST-400 follows Willow Creek east to the Lambing Creek Trail/FST-412. This trail is in poor shape, nearly disappearing in a couple of spots. It crosses Willow Creek often, forcing you to wade. Early in the year, the creek can be waist deep.
FST-410 leaves from the trailhead and immediately climbs up the ridge on the north side of Willow Creek. In 2017, the trail was in good shape. After gaining over 700 feet of elevation, the trail undulates up and down and in and out of drainages until it reaches FST-412 on the east side of Lambing Creek in a little over 4.8 miles and 1,200 feet of total elevation gain. I recommend using this trail rather than FST-400.
FST-410 covers a lot of scenic territory.
Once you reach FST-412, you can follow it all the way to the summit of Fiddler Benchmark. Be warned: FST-412 was created by dirt bikers. It is a very steep trail. In many places, the trail’s tread is cut into a deep v-shape which difficult to hike. From the junction of FST-410/FST-412, you have 1.2 miles and 1,200 feet of gain to climb before reaching the summit.
My GPS track for Fiddler Benchmark. Although we made a loop using FST-400 to return, I recommend using FST-410 in both directions. Note: the trails in this section are not shown on the USGS quads. Use the link above to learn more about the trail system.
Hutton Peak to Fiddler BM Traverse, Class 2
FST-412 runs between Hutton Peak and Fiddler Benchmark. Follow the route description for Hutton Peak and then follow FST-412 to the top of Fiddler Benchmark.
Additional Resources
Regions: Boise Mountains->Danskin Mountains->WESTERN IDAHO
Mountain Range: Boise Mountains
Year Climbed: 2017
Longitude: -115.75139 Latitude: 43.51449
