Notch Peak

Notch Peak is a mountain in the House Range known for its dramatic northwest face, a vertical limestone wall that drops roughly 670 meters straight down to the valley below. The summit sits at about 2,945 meters and can be reached from the Sawtooth Canyon approach.

The mountain gained international recognition when climbers established the Swiss Route on the North Face in 1986, marking a milestone in American mountaineering history. This first ascent brought the vertical limestone wall into focus as a major climbing destination.

The ridges surrounding Notch Peak contain bristlecone pine trees that reach ages between 3,000 and 4,000 years, representing natural living monuments.

The hike to the summit begins at the Sawtooth Canyon trailhead with a well-marked route that is moderate to challenging in difficulty. The climb demands good fitness and some hiking experience due to elevation gain and technical terrain along the way.

The northwest wall ranks as the tallest carbonate rock face in North America with climbing routes of world-class difficulty. For many mountaineers, the combination of sheer size and technical complexity makes this location stand out as truly exceptional.