Cervidae Peak is a small peak that rises steeply above the east side of Idaho 21, just after you cross the High Bridge over Mores Creek/Lucky Peak. Located only 30 minutes from town, the peak is a popular outing location for locals year round. On spring weekends dozens of people will be out on the peak enjoying the dry ground.

In addition to being accessible and thawing out early, the peak is accessible during the winter. Each year, the Idaho Outdoors Forum members hike to the summit on New Year's Eve.

The peak offers wonderful views in all directions. From the top summit, the Danskin, Owyhee, Trinity, and Boise mountains are visible. Lucky Peak reservoir is visible to your west and south. The peak will instill a sense of power, as you stand almost 2,000 feet seemingly straight above ID 21, as you watch ant-sized cars drive below you.

Animal life is another positive for the peak, as you can spot elk and deer on the slopes at all times of the year (especially winter and spring). The name Cervidae was actually derived from that, as the Cervidae family is where elk and deer meet up in the animal kingdom.

The peak can become real in the winter. On a December 2001 trip, the peak even had avalanche remnants on the west side, which is evident in some of the photos below. There is a pretty steep gully on the west side of the peak that offers some spicy snow climbing when the stars align just right.

There are numerous routes. I used to just go up the west side of the peak, which is trail-less and pretty much straight up with no warm-up. However, the southeast ridge route is becoming more popular.

The southeast ridge route starts near Lucky Peak, just past Spring Shores Marina. Go through a gate and follow a trail to the ridge. Once on the ridge, the trail is off and on, but pretty much stays on top of the southeast ridge, then south ridge to the summit.

The summit has a register and usually a flag on top. In the spring, the Arrowleaf Balsam Root displays on the peak are very nice.

Follow ID 21 out of Boise to the Mores Creek bridge. Turn right onto a signed road that leads to Spring Shores Marina (and eventually Atlanta).

Follow the road about 2 miles and park on the right hand side of the road in a large turnout.

If taking the west routes, keep on ID 21 past the bridge for about 1 mile. From this point, the next 1/2 mile of highway offers several turnouts that will provide starting points for your ascent of Cervidae Peak. My favorite starting point is about 1.5 miles after the bridge, just before mile-marker 20. Look for a little two-track road on the right hand side of the highway heading west for a 1/8th of a mile or so. Park at the end of this road.

All starting points mentioned are accessible by passenger autos.

For the southeast ridge route... from the large turnout, cross the road and head for the large metal gate. Cross on either side of the gate and then start following the trail as it heads up towards the ridge. Once on the ridge, the trail simply follows the southeast ridge. The trail is easy to follow, but quite steep in a few places.

At around 4400 feet, the trail joins the south ridge for the final 500 feet to the summit.

Please see the topographic map below in the photos for exact details.