Glens Peak

Location: Southwestern Sawtooths, in a remote and seldom visited section

Nearby Peaks: Snowyside Peak, Plummer Peak, Payette Peak, El Capitan, Parks Peak, Mattingly Peak

Linkups: Snowyside Peak

Difficulty:  Moderately difficult- long trail approaches, relatively easy off trail scrambling

Usage: hiking only

Terrain:  typical rugged Sawtooth terrain, although relatively more mellow terrain in this section of the range. Mostly Class 2-3 scrambling.

Traffic:  non existent off trail traffic, sparse on trail traffic

Summit Register:  Yes

History / Etymology:  Naming unknown. Site of various mineral and gem findings: smoky quarts, topaz crystals (some record size)

Nearest Paved Roads:  ID-75, ID-21

Nearest Dirt Roads / Conditions:  Yellowbelly Lake Road (from Pettit Lake)- rough 4WD recommended / Queens River Road (from Atlanta area)- moderate, 2WD most likely okay

Approach Trails / Conditions:  Trail to Toxaway Lake- Usually in moderate to good condition / Queens River Trail- Usually in poor and rugged condition

Main Route:  From YellowBelly Lake, follow the trail 6.6 miles past Farley and Toxaway Lakes. At the SW part of Toxaway, leave the trail and climb to the pass just south of Point 9941. Follow the East Ridge of Glens Peak, but descend the spur ridge south near a group of unnamed lakes to avoid a vertical section of the ridge. From here, find SE ridge of Glens to the summit. The summit ridge is easy.

Main Route Stats:  20.9miles / 6101 (round trip)

Average RT Time:  10-14 hours

Other Routes:  There's a trail just to the west of Glens Peak, but getting to it requires a multi day trip from the Queens River TH.  The lakes is this area (Spangle, Ardeth- Ten Lakes Basin) are spectacular.

Jurisdiction:  National Recreation Area (NFS)

Permit:  No

Other Users / Issues:  lingering snow, mosquitoes, water sources on the ridge

Maps:  USGS Quad- Mt. Everly

Guide Book:  Tom Lopez,  Idaho: A Climbing Guide

Climbing Season:  June - November

Ideal Climbing Time:  Jul-Sep

Nearest Weather Station: Atlanta, Stanley

Weather Relative to Region:  very close to average, but slightly drier and warmer

Car Camping Sites:  Pettit Lake, YellowBelly Lake

Backpacking Sites:  Numerous spectacular sites- Toxaway, Spangle, Ardeth Lakes

Potential Wildlife:  Badger, Beaver, Black Bear, Mule Deer, Pronghorn, Cougar, Coyote, Elk, Marmot, Marten, Moose, Mountain Goat, Rainbow Trout, Brook Trout

Confirmed Wildlife: Black Bear, Pronghorn, Coyote, Elk, Marmot, Moose, Mountain Goat, Rainbow Trout

Vegetation:  Lodgepole Pine