Fossils of Idaho’s High Peaks by Rick Baugher

Some of the best examples of Idaho’s marine Paleozoic fossils are found near the summits of mountain peaks (10,000 feet of elevation and higher). Although they appear in carbonate formations throughout East Central and Southeast Idaho, the core zone is in the Southern Lemhi and Lost River Ranges. Specifically, the best preserved fossils are found in the Scott Peak Formation … Continue reading

Where Do Mountain Names Come From?

The history, evolution and process of naming mountains is discussed on Pages 32-33 of the book. However, the specific origin of official (and unofficial) mountain names is often not documented. The public can submit proposed names for peaks via the U.S. Geological Survey’s U.S. Board on Geographic Names website. But often, and especially before the Internet, names that were not officially designated … Continue reading

The East Face of Mt Borah by Bob Boyles

Idaho has nine summits that reach over 12,000 feet and all but two lie within the Lost River Range in central Idaho. Idaho’s tallest and most visited peak, Mt Borah (12,662’), is located in the central section of the range. As the state highpoint, it is also very popular. During the summer months, it is not unusual to see a … Continue reading

Borah: Where Gray Granite Crags and Idaho’s Azure Skies Meet By DICK d’EASUN

A view along the ridge. Section of the north ridge were open and others were forested. Footing varied from easy to ball bearing, lose gravel.

Bob Boyles found and transcribed a scanned copy of the following 1929 article which discusses Mount Borah. The Idaho Sunday Statesman BOISE, IDAHO (SUNDAY MORNING MAY 29, 1932) Where Gray Granite Crags and Idaho’s Azure Skies Meet By DICK d’EASUN Up at the top of Idaho, supreme among Gem state giants of massive rock, rules Mount William Edgar Borah, mantled … Continue reading

Arval Anderson, Early Sawtooth Explorer and Surveyor

Arval Anderson, a civil engineer, was an early USFS Surveyor who was stationed in the Boise Mountains and Sawtooth Range in 1927. He is responsible for naming Tohobit, Reward and Bugle peaks among others. This entry covers a bit of Arval’s history which is quintessential Sawtooth History. There are three entries below: (1) a portion of a 1983 USFS interview, (2)”What … Continue reading

Elephants Perch – Pacydermial Pleasantries 1977 by Ray Brooks

Ray Brooks Bio It was love at first sight with me and Idaho’s Sawtooth Range. Rotten rock, mosquito bogs and the annual July plague of biting flies: all failed to dampen my ardor. In 1971, I discovered Elephants Perch. It is a massive dome of beautiful pink granite (Leucocratic quartz monzonite). Its very clean and solid 1,200-foot high West Face … Continue reading