Find Nearby Peaks

This peak is not in the book. Elevation and prominence figures are based on recent LiDAR updates. The USGS quad shows an elevation of 10,168 feet. Published January 2026

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Big Reward Peak sits between Reward Peak and Elk Peak, but it does not play well with its neighbors. Combining it with other peaks requires detours to avoid technical terrain. This peak falls just shy of 300 feet of prominence. I found a sizable cairn on the summit and a rappel anchor on the west face (while trying to connect to Reward Peak), suggesting that it gets a fair amount of attention. USGS Warbonnet Peak

Access

The approach is the same as for Elk and Reward peaks [(A)(6)(c.1) on Page 198].

Southeast Face, Class 3

From south of Lake Kathryn, head toward the saddle south of the peak. With a bit of weaving around obstacles, it is a fairly direct scramble up the southeast face to the summit.

An alternative route with a longer approach can be found on the west face. It may be possible to make a Class 2 ascent on the peak’s west side by approaching from the Grandjean trailhead and the South Fork Payette Trail to Elk Lake. From the lake, bushwhack up Drop Creek to reach the base of the peak.