Mountaineering · YDS Class 3

South Ridge Route

Distance RT
11.0 mi
Gain
3,990 ft
High Point
10,705 ft
Permit Required

A Sawtooth Wilderness permit is required and is typically self-issued at the trailhead.

Route Description

Decker Peak is the third-highest peak in Idaho's Sawtooth Range. Its standard route follows a use trail up the Decker Creek drainage, then climbs cross-country to the south ridge and follows it north to the summit.

Approach

From Stanley, take ID-75 south about 12 miles, turn west at Decker Flat, cross the Salmon River, and follow a rough road about 5 miles (a Decker Flat approach that avoids the worst of this road is also used). Leave the trail at about 8,550 feet once over the ridge dividing Decker Peak from The Finger of Fate, then travel cross-country west, staying north of a drainage, contouring past tarn lakes toward the Decker Saddle, a low point on the south ridge. From the Decker Saddle, boulder-hop north along the south ridge to the summit, bypassing vertical rock sections by zigzagging.

Descent

Parties comfortable on scree can descend the southeast slopes for a quicker return instead of reversing the ridge.

Weather Forecast
7-Day Forecast
Sat, Sep 26
☁️
Overcast
37° / 22°
💨19
Today
☁️
Overcast
46° / 29°
12%
💨15
Tomorrow
☁️
Overcast
46° / 27°
8%
💨12
Tue, Sep 29
☁️
Overcast
50° / 22°
💨9
Wed, Sep 30
☀️
Clear
55° / 29°
💨10
Thu, Oct 1
☁️
Overcast
57° / 29°
💨11
Fri, Oct 2
☁️
Overcast
51° / 25°
1%
💨20
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