There are many resources to help with hiking and climbing destination ideas in Idaho, yet I’ll contribute another based on a key topographic characteristic: Steepness. Let’s focus on peaks. What qualifies as a steep peak? Looking at maps, photos and guidebooks usually gives us a clue, but with the advent of USGS digitial elevation data, we can take this one step further.

An effective method for determining steepness of a summit is to find the average vertical drop in all outward directions within 100 meters (328.084 feet) of the summit. The greater the value, the steeper the peak. This definition isn’t perfect. But it’s simple, effective, and objective, and it focuses on the terrain nearest the apex. It can be calculated by using digital elevation data from the USGS. One caveat: Using a 100-meter radius is that large mountains with expansive, steep slopes extending beyond the 100-meter target area don’t grade as steeply as they otherwise would. For example, Diamond Peak (the highest peak in the Lemhi Range) is way down the list at #492.

Below is a listing of the Top 500 peaks in Idaho, ranked by steepness at a 100-meter radius. Some are well known statewide, others are perhaps known locally and many others are obscure. Some known technical peaks are high on the list, along with at least as many undocumented peaks which might be technical. Other summits are likely to be stiff scrambles or hikes. Some of these peaks are not far from pavement, while a few may take days of hiking to reach. While certain areas have a greater concentration of steep peaks (e.g., the Sawtooth Range), all mountainous regions of Idaho are represented.

The peaks without a numeric rating are peaks with less than 300 feet of rise (i.e.,unranked summits).

Text and Calculations by Tim Worth, tworth87@yahoo.com. The links for each peak will take you to the Lists of John website. To find the peaks on this website, use the search box. Note that not all of the peaks have pages on this website. Click here for Tim’s map of the 100 Steepest Idaho Peaks.