Introduction

Idaho boasts nine peaks that rise above 12,000 feet, spread across three mountain ranges. The Lemhi and Pioneer ranges each contain one of these peaks, while the Lost River range is home to the remaining seven. Except for Hyndman Peak, which is less technical, all of these 12,000-foot peaks feature challenging class 3 routes. Hyndman Peak, though easier, still demands a 12-mile roundtrip hike with a 5,000-foot elevation gain. The rugged terrain of these ranges makes completing all nine peaks a formidable challenge.

There is information on each peak below and also the names of all known completers of the "12ers". If you want your name added, please shoot me an email.

The Speed Challenge

Colorado and California have highly publicized fourteener marathons, in which hikers try to break the record for the fastest time up all 14ers in those states. The current record in California is 4 days, 11 hours, 19 minutes. That's for 15 peaks! The Colorado record for 54 peaks is right around 9 days.

For those hikers and climbers that don't want to climb the nine Idaho peaks at a leisurely pace, we have our own speed challenge. While other states have much more famous challenges, the craze of speed records has been slowly working its way to Idaho. In 2002 a friend of mine started scouting in the Lost Rivers for a possible traverse between Leatherman and Breitenbach. In 2003 things heated up and attempts to break the old 8 day record started that summer. By 2018 the record was under a day!

For those seeking to break the Idaho speed record, the following rules apply:

1. The clock starts when you leave from the first trailhead and ends when you return back to the last trailhead. So if you do Diamond Peak first, the clock starts there and continues as you climb that peak, drive to the Lost Rivers, go through them, drive to Hyndman, and ends when you touch your car at the Hyndman trailhead after having climbed that peak.



2. No motorized means of travel can occur once you leave the given trailhead for each peak. For instance, you cannot drive a motorcycle into Hyndman Basin, then bag the peak. You can't have a helicopter fly you to the top of each peak. You get the idea...



3. Traverses ARE allowed. For example, you can climb from Leatherman to Donaldson on the ridgeline if you so desire (and have the ability to).



4. No porter rule! You must carry your own pack. Someone can accompany you on the climb, but they can't lug your stuff around for you.



5. Drivers. It is acceptable for someone to drive you between peaks, cook you dinner, etc...

Current Idaho 12er Speed Records (Click on the name to read about the trip)

Time	Person	Residence	Date Completed	Notes
20 hours, 23 minutes	Cody Lind	Challis	7/14/2018	Current Fastest Time
1 day, 4 hours, 18 min.	Luke Nelson and Jared Campbell	Pocatello/Salt Lake City	8/17/2014
1 day, 13 hours, 44 min.	Cody Lind, Brittany Peterson, Nate Bender	Challis/Boise/Missoula, MT	8/21/2016	Fastest time for a female
1 day, 14 hours, 50 min.	Dave Bingham and Rob Landis	Hailey	7/25/2005	This was the fastest time for 9 years!
2 days, 14 hours, 48 min.	Dillon Mo Haws	Boise	9/2009
3 days, 6 hours	Kelly Lance	Pocatello	09/04/2017	Kelly ran between the peaks. That's right, no motorized transportation!
3 days, 6 hours, 12 min.	Dalton Johnson, Jordan Gardner, Ty Hancock	Rigby and Menan	08/03/2017	All were age 17 at the time of compeletion.
3 days, 7 hours, 37 min.	Sophia Mazzoni	Hailey	08/14/2017	Sophia was 16 years old at the time.
3 days, 11 hours, 16 min.	Nic Stover	Boise	9/1/2003
5 days, 7 hours, 38 min.	Matt Darrington	Shelley	8/24/2003
6 days, 6 hours, 6 min.	Tess Hollister	Hailey	July 2015
8 days	Buck and Ron Horton	Idaho Falls and Moscow (at that time)	9/3/1995

Idaho 12er Completers | Current # of Finishers - 334 Mike Howard Idaho Falls Terry Howard Idaho Falls Tom Lopez Boise Jerry Painter Idaho Falls Buck Horton Idaho Falls Ron Horton Puyallup, Wa Rick Baugher Idaho Falls John Platt Boise Chuck Ferguson Idaho Falls Dana Hanson Boise Brad Chilton Pocatello Marty T. Cooke Pocatello Dan Robbins Boise Jim Just Meridian Nic Stover Boise Matt Darrington Shelley Norman Wright Filer Allen Ploss Jerome Rob Reterson Nampa Bob Marcinko Blackfoot Margo Lasky Pocatello Mike Allen Boise Dan Weeks Pocatello Grayson Russell Idaho Falls Patty Russell Idaho Falls Richard Wallace American Falls Douglas Jones Rupert Stan Siewert Burley Earl McAlister American Falls Larry McAlister American Falls Rob Landis Hailey Eric Larsen Idaho Falls Dave Bingham Hailey Steven (JB) Harris Ririe Pat McGrane Boise Johnny Roache Mountain Home George Reinier Caldwell Mike Sharpes Boise Gary Chadwick Boise Shane Jenné Boise Aaron Christensen Idaho Falls Curt Davis Jerome Michael Summers Pocatello Craig Peck Aberdeen Charles Trost Pocatello Scott Trost Lewiston Tammy Ryan Perkins Boise Greg Perkins Boise Kent Hobbs Pocatello Nancy Gaenzle Twin Falls Brad Eidam Boise David Maguire Pocatello Kregg Aytes Pocatello Ben Anderson Chubbock Sean Duffy Boise Rick Surber Boise Ted Brasket Prescott, AZ Dave Pahlas Meridian Zach Vickery Boise Michael Pelton Boise Matt Durrant Boise Brenda Hughes Kimberly Dick Huberty Twin Falls Quint Pimentel Pocatello Steve Carpenter Idaho Falls Troy Schneyder Idaho Falls Dave Pacioretty Pocatello Mike Fox Idaho Falls George Lake Idaho Falls Jerry Downey Pocatello Jerry Manter Boise Ryan Cameron Pocatello Chris Williams Pocatello Jacob Robinson Parma Vince Lowe Boise Frank Gallant Boise Quin Mace Idaho Falls Doug LaMott Boise Irene Vogel Boise Jacob Westrick Boise Kevin Kunz Ammon Nate Hunsaker Ammon Rob Greenig Ammon Nate Bender Hamilton, MT Clinton Wilson Idaho Falls Erik Hallgren Idaho Falls Dillon Mo Haws Boise Daniel Paulson Nampa Deb Rose Boise Daniel Page Idaho Falls Mike Johnson Firth Nick Karl Denver (CO) Garrett Hale Preston Tony Hale Preston Hugh Mossman Boise Taylor Mossman-Fletcher Boise Jay Friedly Mountain Home Reese Jackson Blackfoot Kerry Kelley Boise Jared Hopkins Boise John Olson Hailey Steven Sheriff Missoula Roger McMurtrey Idaho Falls Luke Nelson Pocatello Jared Campbell Salt Lake City Corey Nielsen Idaho Falls Rex Campbell Grace Katherine Lee Montpelier Alicia Brill Stanwood, WA Grant Brill Palo Alto, CA Josh Unger Boise Mark Polatis Thomas Brian Poster Ketchum Chad Henke Twin Falls Tanner Henke Twin Falls Todd Moseley Rexburg Tracy Cureton Rexburg Tess Hollister Hailey Patrick Lang Pocatello Rodolfo Jodra Boise Alice Schenk Rupert Trace Bedke Burley Erin Bell Twin Falls James Squires Mountain Home Kay Johnson Firth Michael Darcy Coeur d'Alene Jon Botz Fairfield Steve Mandella Pocatello Larry Prescott Rexburg Brent Lulloff Boise Oleg Bougri Boise Cody Lind Challis Brittany Peterson Boise Julie Taylor Twin Falls Gary Taylor Twin Falls Randy Hickman Blackfoot Alan Southern Blackfoot Kelly Lance Pocatello Scrap McInski Merdian Rick Ruffridge Pocatello Brett Sergenian Boise Sophia Mazzoni Hailey Thomas Cox Boise Robert Fair Boise Guy Paul Merdian Jon Davey Boise Jason Tonn Boise Melanie Ahrens Boise Nate Kenney Boise Dalton Johnson Rigby Jordan Gardner Rigby Ty Hancock Menan Stacy Human Kimberly Clinton Barg Boise Haylee Stocking Hailey Grayson Truden Boise Bill Manny Boise Taylor Amato Ketchum Craig Clouatre Livingston, MT Jonathan Giles Eagle Justin Stevenson Hailey Nate Scales Hailey Ryan Byers Pocatello Ed Cameron Bellevue Kema Barrie Declo Jeff Knisley Boise Kam Knisley Boise Sasha Socolov Moldova (Europe) Brendon Melander Cheyenne, WY Alex Feldman Boise Steve Grantham Boise Sydney Human Kimberly Todd Slusser Rupert Amy Kelly Ketchum Scott Kelly Ketchum Matthew Henderson Boise April Watts Boise Michelle Sward Lance Pocatello Ray Hannah Idaho Falls James Petzke Boise David Lloyd Ketchum Rachel Wolfe Ketchum Thijs Lloyd Ketchum Cody Lloyd * Ketchum Michael Boge Sandpoint Nick Blatz Ketchum Sawyer Casey Boise Wes Collins ** Moore Stephanie Helm Challis John R Cauhorn Eden Tate Morell Hailey Matt Morell Hailey Dan Noakes McCall Mark Jones Boise Tory Jones Boise Chris Delonas Pocatello Eddie Delonas Pocatello Ashley Delonas Pocatello Blake Bundy Pocatello Jeff Leibman Twin Falls Spring Bean Eagle Alan Bean Eagle Terri Rowe Meridian Alaina Robson Idaho Falls Larry Woodbury Worley Sara Ajeti Boise Kevin Watt Boise Paul Kreiner Star Rebecca Musser Fruitland Derek Hysell Boise Gayle Matsumuro Boise Kelly Luff Kimberly Walt Packer Idaho Falls Jet Johnstone Idaho Falls Henry Whitney Kimberly Lincoln Whitney Kimberly James Ryan Roberts Idaho Falls Lyman Dye Idaho Falls Wayne Boyer Idaho Falls Randy Spurgeon New Plymouth Todd Carlson Boise Jay Krajic Boise Terry Lee Boise Jason Floyd Emmett Otto Ian Lang Salt Lake City Kendra Maclean Boise Paul Hansen Blackfoot Kirk Nuttall Idaho Falls Michael Thieme Idaho Falls Eric Schulz Boise Geoff Nielson Idaho Falls Jason Lee Nipper Rigby Forest Dean Missoula, MT Gioni Pasquinelli Eagle Dan Hiatt Hailey Summer Virnig Twin Falls Tex Virnig Twin Falls Thomas Salaiz Aberdeen Christopher Jensen Idaho Falls John Cotner Boise Matt Schwehr Boise Trent Reynolds Boise Amanda Breen Ketchum David Patrie Ketchum Camden Patrie Ketchum Dan Gunnerson Eagle Daniel Bertram Salmon Hudson Bertram Salmon Tyler Wallace Declo Phillip Vincent Boise Alex Hon Boise Lina Mustafa Boise Emily Slike Idaho Falls Katie Terhune Boise Doug Packer Moreland Marilee Packer Moreland Troy D. Williams Firth Lee Collins Boise Zundel Molifua Boise Dan Cotner Boise Ken Burgess Boise Don Otis Sandpoint Landon Otis Sandpoint Jeff Beeman Cocolalla Cian Barg Boise Tucker Barg Boise Kevin Renner Harrison JD Leckenby Buhl Danielle Leckenby Nampa Dawn Moore Orofino Angie Martin Rigby Brittany Roper Boise Jeff Zingre Idaho Falls Ty Snarr Rexburg Aaron Ajeti Boise Maranda Cantrell Boise Annie Langston Boise Jill Edmundson Sandpoint Heidi Holland Boise Mary Fiedler Sandpoint Sedona Cannon Salmon Joel Cannon Salmon Paul Laggis American Falls Zoie Laggis American Falls Brent Howard Idaho Falls Tim Thieme Idaho Falls Matthew Undzius Boise Derek Percoski Hailey Justin Johnson Pocatello Bart Thomas Chubbuck Cory Gentry Pocatello Andrew Bodily Idaho Falls Colin Chambers Donnelly McKinsey Bruning Pocatello Jordan Bruning Pocatello Misty McClanahan Pocatello Tim McClanahan Pocatello Amanda Vereecken Pocatello Emily Victor Pocatello Petya Stoyanova Johnson Nampa Dylan Wooding Boise Jaime Lee Twin Falls Carl Passino Idaho Falls Dandee Hale Blackfoot Charles Cooper Boise Elliot Huntsman Shelley Jenny Bedke Boise Bridget Bedke Boise Harrison Clement Boise Gabe Clement Boise Jason Koster Boise Bob Bell Moscow Randy McNeel Moscow Philip King II Boise Sherwin Pestka Meridian Mindy Smith Hailey Brian Vega Boise Erik Quissell Boise Natalie Jangula Nampa Kelsey Webster Boise Thomas Smiley Ketchum Bradyn Gunter Chubbuck Brandon Gunter Pocatello Bruce Dunham Boise Christine Williams Blackfoot Paige Hyde Blackfoot John Kirk Morrison, CO Alyson Kirk Morrison, CO Judi Steciak Boise Carl Hamke Boise Tad Schafer Meridian Paul Lind Challis Alan Campbell Shelley Aaron Wood Nampa                                 * At just 6 years old, Cody becomes the youngest 12er finisher! ** Has climbed all 9 in the winter and summer.

Information About Each Peak

Borah from the west.	#1 - Borah Peak Details: Borah Peak is the highest peak in Idaho. It is named after Idaho senator, William Borah. It is climbed quite often, as it is the state highpoint. Borah's most famous feature is "chicken-out ridge", which is a knife-edged at about 11,200 feet with 2,000 feet drop-offs on either side. Just after the ridge is a down climb and a snow-bridge crossing... added features that instill fear in some. Main Route: Southwest Ridge Roundtrip mileage: 7 miles Elevation gain: 5,550 feet
Height	County	Range	Class	First Ascent
12,662	Custer	Lost River	3	T.M. Bannon - 1914

Leatherman from the east.	#2 - Leatherman Peak Details: Leatherman Peak is a giant peak when viewed from west from ID 93. It is named after Henry Leatherman, who was a early-day hunter, trapper, teamster, and freight carrier in the Lost River Valley. Main Route: North Gully/East Ridge from the West Fork of the Pahsimeroi River. Roundtrip mileage: 8 miles Elevation gain: 4,100 feet
Height	County	Range	Class	First Ascent
12,228	Custer	Lost River	3	T.M. Bannon - 1914

Mount Church from Donaldson Peak.	#3 - Mount Church Details: Mount Church, which still has not been officially measured or named, is the third highest peak in Idaho. It is unofficially named after the late Frank Church, an US Senator from Idaho, who was monumental in the development of wilderness areas in Idaho during the 1970's. The peak is usually climbed in conjunction with Donaldson Peak (#8). Main Route: South ridge from saddle between it and Donaldson Peak. Roundtrip mileage: 9 miles Elevation gain: 5,200 feet
Height	County	Range	Class	First Ascent
12,200+	Custer	Lost River	3	Unknown

	#4 - Diamond Peak Details: Diamond Peak is a monster peak found in the Lemhi range of Idaho. It is the highest Lemhi Range peak and highest in Butte County. Climbing it via the east ridge is short, but very steep in places. I rate it a hard class 3. Main Route: East Ridge Roundtrip mileage: 5 miles Elevation gain: 4,200 feet
Height	County	Range	Class	First Ascent
12,197	Butte	Lemhi	3	T.M. Bannon - 1912

	#5 - Mount Breitenbach Details: Mount Breitenbach is a beautiful peak, named after Jake Breitenbach, an Idahoan who died on Mount Everest during the 1963 American expedition. Some views of the peak make it look like it belongs in the Himalaya. Main Route: Up the Pete Creek drainage to the south ridge. Roundtrip mileage: 7 miles Elevation gain: 4,500 feet
Height	County	Range	Class	First Ascent
12,140	Custer	Lost River	3	Unknown

Lost River's from the west.	#6 - Lost River Mountain Details: Lost River Mountain is probably the least known of the 9 12,000 footers. It is located south of Mount Breitenbach. Main Route: Southwest "super" gully, then follow the south ridge. This gully is nasty, consider a spring/early summer snow climb. Roundtrip mileage: 6 miles Elevation gain: 4,500 feet
Height	County	Range	Class	First Ascent
12,078	Custer	Lost River	3	Unknown

Photo courtesy of Dave Pahlas.	#7 - Mount Idaho Details: Mount Idaho provides the gorgeous backdrop for Merriam Lake. Getting to Merriam Lake is easy... getting to the trailhead is a long and dusty task. Main Route: West ridge/face. Hike up Elkhorn Creek to a saddle at the base of the west ridge. Roundtrip mileage: 8 miles Elevation gain: 5,000 feet
Height	County	Range	Class	First Ascent
12,065	Custer	Lost River	3	Unknown

Donaldson Peak	#8 - Donaldson Peak Details: Donaldson Peak is named after Idaho Supreme Court Justice Charles Donaldson. It is most often climbed from the saddle between it and Mount Church via its north ridge. Do this in conjunction with an ascent of Church. Main Route: North ridge from saddle between it and Mount Church. Roundtrip mileage: .5 miles (if climbed in conjunction with Mount Church) Elevation gain: 300 feet (if climbed in conjunction with Mount Church)
Height	County	Range	Class	First Ascent
12,023	Custer	Lost River	3	Unknown

Hyndman from Big Basin Peak.	#9 - Hyndman Peak Details: Hyndman Peak is a very popular destination, as it is close to the resort area of Sun Valley. The route is also the easiest of all 9 peaks. Excellent views and terrain on this climb! Named after Major William Hyndman, a Civil War veteran and early prominent pioneer/mine operator in the region. Main Route: East ridge from saddle between Hyndman Peak and Old Hyndman Peak. Roundtrip mileage: 12 miles Elevation gain: 5,009 feet
Height	County	Range	Class	First Ascent
12,009	Blaine	Pioneer	2	W.T. Griswold and E.T. Perkins - 1889