Lucky Peak Hike - Winter Ascent

Snowshoe climb to Lucky Peak from Boise River Wilderness Management Area after a March snowstorm.

Related:  Four "Grand Slam Peaks" in Boise National Forest -
Cervidae Peak
Mt. Heinen:  Grand Slam Peaks Completed!
Kepros Mountain Hike
​Lucky Peak:  The Ridge Less Traveled

Trekking down from summit of Lucky Peak on southeast ridge
​Boise National Forest on horizon

Trip Stats
​Overview:  This southeast approach to Lucky Peak (AKA Shaw Mountain) begins at the Boise River WMA following a dirt road that travels northwest along creek with burned vegetation from the Mile Marker 14 Fire July 2016.  It has less usage and more trees than the Homestead Trail approach from the southwest.  It passes an intersection to a road leading to Adelmann Mine, then climbs ridge to the summit.  Elk herds and deer often present.  Spectacular views of Treasure Valley and Boise National Forest close to Boise.  Side trip to Adelmann Mine with historic buildings not far from main road.
Difficulty:  moderate with no snow; moderate - strenuous with snow.  Route-finding skills needed if going off road and onto ridge.
Elevation gain:  Boise River Wilderness Management Area (trailhead) at 3,624':  Lucky Peak elevation 5,904' = ~ 2,280 feet.
Lucky Peak Coordinates:  43°36'18.82"N, 116°03'39.98"W.  Boise River Wilderness Management Area Coordinates:  43°34'26.7"N,  116°1'18.62"W
Map:  USGS Lucky Peak quad, 7.5-min series
Distance:  7 miles out and back.
Directions to trailhead:  Boise River WMA is on the west side of ID-21, 6.8 miles from E. Warm Springs Rd. and ID-21 intersection east of Boise.  It is a left hand turn to a small parking area with a gate just after Highland Valley Summit if you are heading north.
Geology:  Granite of Idaho Batholith, Cretaceous age 117 - 62 million years ago.
History:  Adelmann Mine's primary mineral was gold.​

Our Hike
A good friend commented, after reading my last post on Cervidae Peak, that Fred and I were "lucky" to have Lucky Peak as a training mountain.  We've hiked it many times during the 18 years that we have lived in Boise.  When we hike "the front side" of Lucky via Homestead Trail, the elevation gain is 3,000 feet and we always try to improve our time.   

​This time we snowshoed what we call the "back side" after a late winter snowstorm.  Snow depths varied from a few inches at the trailhead to ~ 12 inches at the summit.  A steady breeze from the northwest provided a good headwind for most of the climb.  The visibility at the summit was 300 yards, and hard rime ice created by heavy fog coated fir branches and last season's blue-bunch wheatgrass.  Fred and I took turns breaking trail through untracked snow.  On our way down, the clouds broke revealing a spectacular winter scene with views of the Boise National Forest to the northeast, Lucky Peak Lake to the southeast, and the Owyhee Mountain range to the south.  The contrast between the flat, dark Treasure Valley under shifting clouds and the bright white snow of mountains stretching to the horizon was of jaw-dropping beauty, the kind that makes you stop in your tracks.  Idaho is an incredible place!

Boise River Wildlife Management Area sign at trailhead at ID Highway 21

Fred at start of ridge climb,  2 miles from trailhead, after intersection with trail to Adelmann Mine.

GPS tracks from WMA Headquarters trailhead on ID Hwy 21 to Lucky Peak (AKA Shaw Mountain)
​Follow road for 2 miles, then onto ridge to summit.

Our route to Lucky Peak (AKA Shaw Mountain) from Boise River WMA on ID Highway 21.  This route intersects with Route E. Shaw Mountain Road near the summit (on left).  Total hiking distance ~ 3.5 miles to summit with 2,280 feet of elevation gain.

This trail begins at the Boise River WMA buildings, following an often-muddy road in a northwest direction, with the tree line of Lucky Peak coming into view in about  .5 miles.  It crosses a creek, then begins a steep climb for 1 mile to the intersection of the road that leads to the abandoned buildings of Adelmann mine.  At this intersection, take the road to the left for a short climb to a ridge overlooking the valley to the south.  The road continues to the northwest and can be followed to the summit; it's here that we get off the road and take the more direct ridge route, beginning at two log stumps and a "No Motor Vehicles" sign.  We gain the ridge where the snow is wind-blown and not as deep and follow it towards the tree line on the right.  Toward the top, there is an intersection with E. Shaw Mountain Road, marked by a wooden birdhouse.  Our route continues on this road to an outhouse with the radio towers of Lucky Peak in view, then a short steep climb to the top.

Point at which we leave the road to climb to ridge:  this is on a saddle separating Adelmann Mine to the north and Black Hornet Mine to the south

Mine apparatus (?) or gate (?) at ridge between Black Hornet Mine and Adelmann Mine, shortly after intersection of road to Adelmann Mine.  This marks the point on our route where we get off the road and climb Lucky Peak's southeast ridge 

 Lucky Peak hike February 2019

Lucky Peak hike during snowstorm - February 2019

Building at Adelmann Mine

At intersection with road that leads to Adelmann Mine 

Hike up ridge toward Lucky Peak with trees to the right

Granite of the Idaho Batholith

Hard rime ice had accumulated on the windward side of everything enveloped in the fog at the top.  We cleared a place in the snow, sat and ate lunch until we cooled down from the climb.  As we hiked down, the clouds thinned, illuminating trees, grasses and shrubs in a golden light, and a little further down we found ourselves in bright white fresh snow, walking toward the dark blue and white peaks of the Boise National Forest.  Since Lucky Peak is the highest point for miles around, it gives you the feeling that you are walking above almost everything else.

Radio Towers on summit of Lucky Peak - 5,904 feet

Douglas Fir with hard rime ice at higher elevations on Lucky Peak, looking northeast to Boise National Forest.

At intersection of our route and Route E. Shaw Mountain Road - follow this road to the summit of Lucky Peak

Great views of Boise National Forest and Lucky Peak Lake on the way down

Clouds clearing on the way down- walking toward Lucky Peak Lake and Boise National Forest

Antelope bitterbrush overlooking the Treasure Valley including Boise, Idaho.

There's lots of advantages to snowshoeing vs. hiking with no snow:  vegetation is not damaged, you sharpen navigational and preparation skills, and best of all, quiet and solitude.  We went up into the clouds facing a steady headwind and came down in sun and breaking clouds with warmer temperatures.   We are lucky in Boise to have the opportunity to experience great snowshoeing treks.