Andromeda Peak
(Chrysaor Peak)
Elevation 11620'
A scenic overnight climb in the Pioneers via Left Fork Fall Creek
September 11-12, 2018

43.8033°N / 114.0094°W
Andromeda Peak and Left Fork Fall Creek

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Andromeda Peak is located in central Idaho’s Pioneer Range. It’s on the ridge that separates the Left Fork Fall Creek from Surprise Valley, between Altair Peak and Pegasus Peak. An alternate name for this Mountain is Chrysaor Peak, since Chrysaor was the twin brother of Pegasus in Greek mythology. Whatever you choose to call it, this is a neat peak with a highly scenic approach hike.

Michael and I had climbed nearby Rearing Stallion Peak earlier in the day, then made the drive to the Fall Creek Trailhead. It was already 5:30pm by the time we started hiking, and our plan was to backpack in and camp after a few miles to make the following day’s mileage a little shorter. I had been in this area for a climb of Pegasus Peak with Steve several years ago, and was looking forward to the great scenery.

The first couple miles of the hiking crosses through sagebrush and light forest. It took us less than an hour to cover the two miles to the creek crossing and trail fork, where we headed uphill toward the Left Fork of Fall Creek. The switchbacks seemed steep after a long day, so more gradual terrain higher up was a relief.

The trail became fainter and we eventually started curling south and up the valley. After a couple hours and five miles of hiking, the sun was now down, and we set up camp at about 9000’ in a grassy area near the creek. We listened to elk bugling while cooking dinner, and then crawled in our tents after some brief stargazing.

Our goal the next morning was an early start, so we could get home at a reasonable hour. As such, we had broken camp and were hiking up the valley not long after 7am. The Left Fork Fall Creek is very wild and scenic. Travel was easy in the open terrain, and made even easier by following various elk trails.

As we neared the head of the valley, the views of Pyramid Peak, Altair Peak, Andromeda Peak, and Pegasus Peak were very impressive as we wandered through beautiful alpine meadows. Soon enough, it was time to start climbing. We discussed various route ideas, and settled on a fairly direct route up the south face of Andromeda. The climbing was loose in places down low, but fortunately the rock got more stable in a steep and narrow class 3 gully.

Above the gully, the angle eased off, and we slowly made our way up through boulders and slabs below the summit ridge. The ridge itself was narrow, but was solid rock, so we had no serious obstacles on our way to the summit.

After bundling up to escape the wind, we enjoyed great views from the summit. We agreed we really didn’t want to down climb the steep gully, or the loose rock below it. So we elected to descend a chute on the north face of the peak, which had been used by other climbers in the past. The chute ended up working out, but loose rock made it very tedious, especially the wobbly boulders toward the bottom.

Once off the face of the peak, and over the loose boulders, we enjoyed hiking down toward the valley using various ramps and elk trails through the white bark pine forest. Soon enough, we were down to the valley floor, hiking through more of the highly scenic meadows that highlight the area. It didn’t take us long to get back to our camping gear, and then make the 5 mile hike back to the trailhead.

The Left Fork of Fall Creek is very wild and scenic, and Andromeda Peak is a great climb. A highly recommended outing. Round trip was almost 18 miles and 4800’ elevation gain. Doable in a long day, but I was happy with our choice to backpack in the night before.

Map of the route, just under 18 miles and 4800' gain round trip.
Map of the route, just under 18 miles and 4800' gain round trip.
Fall Creek, early in the hike.
Fall Creek, early in the hike.
Neat section of trail.
Neat section of trail.
Heading up the Left Fork Fall Creek.
Heading up the Left Fork Fall Creek.
Fall colors in the evening.
Fall colors in the evening.
Morning view up Left Fork Fall Creek.
Morning view up Left Fork Fall Creek.
Typical neat terrain in the valley.
Typical neat terrain in the valley.
Small waterfall below Andromeda Peak.
Small waterfall below Andromeda Peak.
Nearing the top of the valley.
Nearing the top of the valley.
Loose climbing, we aimed for the notch at right.
Loose climbing, we aimed for the notch at right.
Climbing up the steep section.
Climbing up the steep section.
Upper section, Altair Peak in the background.
Upper section, Altair Peak in the background.
On the narrow but solid summit ridge.
On the narrow but solid summit ridge.
Andromeda Peak summit shot.
Andromeda Peak summit shot.
Pegasus Peak from Andromeda Peak.
Pegasus Peak from Andromeda Peak.
Looking down on Surprise Valley,
Looking down on Surprise Valley, "Medusa's Neck" to the right.
Descending the north side of Andromeda Peak.
Descending the north side of Andromeda Peak.
Neat area northeast of Andromeda Peak.
Neat area northeast of Andromeda Peak.
Hiking back down the valley.
Hiking back down the valley.
Making our way back down the valley.
Making our way back down the valley.

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