Peak 4966 (Bender Peak) - IDAHO: A Climbing Guide

Elevation: 4,966 ft
Prominence: 346

This peak is not in the book. Two routes are listed below. Additional Danskin Mountains access information is in the book [(D)(1) on Pages 154-155 and (G)(1) on Page 156]. Also see the following website page: Danskin Mountains OHV Trails. Updated May 2019

Peak 4966/Bender Peak is an unofficially-named summit that is located in the north-central portion of the Danskin Mountains. Like many Danskin peaks, Bender Peak is usually accessible early in Spring. USGS Grape Mountain

Bender Peak from the midway up the northeast ridge.

Bender Peak as viewed from midway up the Northeast Ridge.

Access

Access both routes for Bender Peak from Blacks Creek Road [(G)(1) on Page 156] at the Willow Creek trailhead. From I-84, use Exit 64 east of Boise. From the exit, take the well-paved road north through rolling hill country. Keep left at the only paved fork (which has signs for stores in Prairie, Idaho). Continue for 8 miles for the Bender Creek trailhead or 11 miles for the Willow Creek trailhead on this good graded road as it climbs over a pass and then descends to Woods Creek and the trailheads. Here, you will find a vault toilet and a large parking area.

Be aware that a sign at the beginning of the graded road states that it is not maintained during Winter. But based on years of experience, in low snow years the road is often passable most of the winter. Still, it is a narrow, steep road that can be dangerous and impassable in Winter conditions.

Northeast Ridge, Class 2

From the Willow Creek trailhead parking lot, cross the road to the base of the peak’s circuitous Northeast Ridge. A granite rock outcrop marks the base of the ridge on the south side of Willow Creek. Contour around the outcrop and follow a deer trail up the East Side of the ridge for approximately 100 feet. Then climb straight up to the ridge top. From this point, stay on the ridge crest to the summit. The ridge has a series of steps that vary in steepness. When you reach roughly 4,800 feet, cross a motorcycle trail that is part of the Danskin Mountains OHV trail system. This system provides an alternative, but much longer, way to ascend Bender Peak. Follow the trail the final distance to the bald summit.

My GPS track up the peak’s long of northeast ridge. 3.2 miles round trip with 1,550 of gain.

My GPS track up the Bender Peak’s long Northeast Ridge. Round-trip stats: 3.2 miles with 1,550 feet of elevation gain.

For the most part the northeast ridge is broad and without brush or trees.

For the most part, the Northeast Ridge is broad and devoid of brush or trees.

The upper portion of the ridge narrows a bit and has a few trees.

On the summit during a Winter climb. Conditions can vary greatly from winter to winter. We encountered a fresh skiff of snow. A week earlier, the ridge was bare. Some winters you end up in deep snow and avalanche conditions.

Southeast Ridge, Class 1

Park at the Bender Creek trailhead on Blacks Creek Road. The trail follows FST-300 southeast to FST-311 in 4.3 up-and-down miles. FST-300 is a heavily-used trail complete with bridges. From the trailhead, the trail climbs out of Woods Creek, crosses a ridge and drops into Bender Creek. It then climbs out of Bender Creek, crosses another ridge, drops briefly into an unnamed drainage, climbs once again over another ridge and then drops into Jack Creek.

The trail then follows Jack Creek down to Flat Creek. The trail turns up Flat Creek. Follow the trail up Flat Creek to the signed junction for FST-311. FST-311 is a STEEP trail that climbs up to within 150 feet of the summit of Bender Peak where it meets FST-310. Turn left and follow the trail to the summit which is a short distance above.