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Idaho · Rock Climbing
May, Idaho sits at the edge of the Lost River Range, a remote stretch of central Idaho that sees a fraction of the climbing traffic you'd find at more publicized crags.
10 spotsUpdated weeklyFree to access
View on mapRock Climbing · 10 spots
May, Idaho sits at the edge of the Lost River Range, a remote stretch of central Idaho that sees a fraction of the climbing traffic you'd find at more publicized crags. The routes here lean toward the adventurous end of the spectrum — lines like East Face Direct and The High Lonesome suggest committing objectives rather than sport-climbing warm-ups, and the area's character reflects that. Baker's Magical Adventure and the Event Horizon variation round out a list that mixes technical face climbing with routes that reward climbers who are comfortable with route-finding and a bit of exposure. The Lost River Range climbing area is the anchor for most of what's listed here, and accessing it typically means dirt roads and self-sufficiency — this is not a place where you'll find a staffed trailhead or a gear shop around the corner. The mix of listings also includes ice climbing (Cowboy Poetry and Psycho Therapy), which tells you something about the seasonal range this area supports. If you're driving out from the Mackay or Challis corridor, build in extra time for approach and don't count on cell service once you leave the highway.
Based on the route names listed — East Face Direct, The High Lonesome, and the Event Horizon variation among them — this area skews toward intermediate and experienced climbers rather than beginners. There's no indication of a dedicated beginner crag in the current listings, so if you're newer to trad or alpine climbing, come with a more experienced partner who knows the Lost River Range.
The Lost River Range typically sees its best rock climbing conditions from late June through September, once snowmelt has cleared the approaches and before early-season storms return in fall. The presence of ice climbing routes like Cowboy Poetry and Psycho Therapy in the same area confirms that winters here are serious — plan your rock climbing trip for summer and early fall.
Lost River Range
~12 min drive
Remote alpine climbing in Idaho's Lost River Range.
El Sendero Gloominoso
~16 min drive
A worthwhile stop near Idaho.
Psycho Therapy
~23 min drive
A worthwhile stop near Idaho.
Cedar Creek
~24 min drive
Idaho creek-side climbing area with varied routes and natural rock.
MullladyMillsap
~23 min drive
A worthwhile stop near Idaho.
Cowboy Poetry
~35 min drive
A worthwhile stop near Idaho.
Via Ferrata Wall
~24 min drive
Idaho via ferrata climbing with fixed protection and featured rock.
Pizza Boy's Revenge
~24 min drive
A worthwhile stop near Idaho.
The. Old sawmill slabs
~47 min drive
Technical slab climbing on smooth Idaho rock.
Little Dark Cloud
~24 min drive
A worthwhile stop near Idaho.
Central Idaho
~51 min drive
Diverse Idaho climbing with varied rock and routes for multiple skill levels.
Soft Serve
~24 min drive
A worthwhile stop near Idaho.
May is a small community, and access to Lost River Range objectives generally involves unpaved forest or BLM roads that can be rough on low-clearance vehicles. A high-clearance 4WD is a practical choice rather than a luxury here. Download your maps and route beta before you leave town — reliable cell service is not something you can count on in this corridor.
The listings include named variations like Cluckers variation and Event Horizon variation alongside standalone routes, which suggests a wall or formation with multiple lines rather than a single-route objective. MullladyMillsap and Baker's Magical Adventure add further variety. Expect a range of face and crack climbing typical of Idaho's volcanic and granite terrain rather than a single-discipline crag.
Standard trad rack, extra water, and a paper or offline map are non-negotiable for this area. Because the nearest services are a significant drive away, carry a first aid kit and a personal locator beacon — the Lost River Range is not a place where help arrives quickly if something goes wrong. Check road conditions before departure, especially early and late in the season when snow can linger on approach roads.
