Hyndman Peak

BOU AVENUE
Hyndman Peak

Hyndman Peak is the highest of the Pioneer Mountains of central Idaho and the shortest of the state's nine fabled 12,000-footers. A prized objective that is well-described on numerous websites as well as Tom Lopez's Idaho: A Climbing Guide, Hyndman Peak is also the easiest of the Idaho 12,000-footers to climb and demands nothing more than a long approach on a good trail and some easy scrambling (Class 2) on the upper mountain. Camping at nearby Sawmill campground and anticipating a long and hot day, I got up at what seemed like the middle of the night on the morning of 1 October 2010 and ate a couple of bananas as I drove to the trailhead for Hyndman Peak. After crossing the north fork of Hyndman Creek on a footbridge just below the parking area and pit toilet, I set a good pace up the reclaimed road which runs alongside the main fork. The brilliant moon illuminated the road nicely, and the temperature was cool but comfortable for hiking. As I took the turnoff to Hyndman Basin about 4 kilometres from the trailhead, the sky began to brighten, and I climbed steeply up a big hill before crossing a creek near a deserted horse camp. Somewhere around here, I got my first glimpse of Hyndman Peak's pyramidal form which motivated me to push on up the next big hill. From the top of that hill, the well-defined trail rises gradually toward the back of the basin until it disappears in a boulder field well short of the col separating Hyndman Peak from Old Hyndman Peak. Instead of continuing cross-country to the col as suggested by most route descriptions, I began angling up a shallow but distinct drainage on the south face of Hyndman Peak. I took a short break here after moving into direct sunlight for the first time of the day. When I resumed climbing, I eventually worked my way over to the southeast ridge to take a look over the precipitous east face. The rest of my ascent was an unremarkable but easy plod up the ridge, and though it had taken me nearly 6 hours to reach the summit, I felt surprisingly fresh. I spent the next 1.25 hours taking photographs, eating a delicious lunch and examining the interesting contents of the summit register box. For my descent, I followed numerous beaten paths down the south face and regained the trail in the basin without any trouble. The long hike back to the trailhead was uneventful, but I enjoyed the sunny weather, the solitude, and the fact that this entire outing went so perfectly without a hitch.

	Sonny enters Hyndman Basin just before dawn.
	This is one of the first views of Hyndman Peak from the trail.
	The morning sun illuminates some distant hills to the west in this view from Hyndman Basin.
	Here is a closer look at the summit block of Hyndman Peak from below.
	Sonny continues to follow the trail in Hyndman Basin. Behind him is Old Hyndman Peak.
	Cobb Peak dominates the south side of Hyndman Basin.
	This is looking up the faint drainage on the south face of Hyndman Peak.
	Sonny slowly gains altitude.
	This is the impressive east face of Hyndman Peak.
	Sonny hikes up the southeast ridge.
	Sonny stands on the 3664-metre summit of Hyndman Peak.
	This is the view to the southwest from the summit.
	To the northwest, Duncan Ridge dominates the foreground. The prominent bump at far right behind Duncan Ridge is known unofficially as Salzburger Spitzl. At right on the distant horizon are the White Cloud Mountains.
	Northeast of Hyndman Peak is Wildhorse Creek valley. The Lost River Range is visible on the horizon.
	Here is a closer look at the distant Lost River Range (names in bold are official). Six of the nine Idaho 12,000-footers are visible here. The high point in the foreground at right is unofficially known as Angels Perch.
	This is the view to the east. Brocky Peak is one of the more technically demanding mountains in the vicinity.
	This is an aerial view of a tarn in Hyndman Basin. Note the trail at bottom right.
	The summit register box contains all sorts of stuff.
	The Devils Bedstead East (white-topped peak) is partially hidden behind Goat Mountain (unofficial name) in this view to the north.
	Grays Peak can be seen to the south over the northeast ridge of Cobb Peak.
	Old Hyndman Peak towers over Hyndman Basin.
	Another tarn sits below the southwest ridge of Hyndman Peak.
	Here is one last look at Old Hyndman Peak.
	Hyndman Peak looks brilliant in the afternoon sun.
	Here is a last close look at Hyndman Peak's pyramidal form.
	There are many grasshoppers like this one in the area.
	McIntyre Peak (left) and Jacqueline Peak are a couple of unofficially-named mountains in the next valley south of Hyndman Basin.
	The trees along Hyndman Creek display some exceptional colours on this day.
	This is the route as viewed in Google Earth.
	Total Distance: 19+ kilometres Round-Trip Time: 10 hours 34 minutes Total Elevation Gain: 1518+ metres GPX Data