Castle Peak

Castle Peak rises to 11,815 feet (3,600 meters) in the White Cloud Mountains of Idaho and features steep rock faces with extensive talus fields along its ridges. The summit area presents a complex terrain with sharp ridgelines and dramatic elevation changes typical of high alpine environments.

The mountain was first documented as climbed in 1912, while mountaineers completed the initial winter ascent in 1971 under severe conditions. These two milestones mark important chapters in the peak's exploration history.

The peak stands as a central figure in Idaho's mountaineering community, drawing technical climbers through its Southwest Face and Big Gully routes.

Visitors need advanced mountaineering skills and proper alpine equipment for the technical routes found here. Weather conditions change rapidly at this elevation, so careful planning and preparation are essential before attempting an ascent.

Despite standing below the 12,000-foot mark, this peak has a prominence of approximately 4,035 feet, making it rank among Idaho's most important summits. This characteristic makes it far more interesting to climbers than many taller neighboring peaks.