Duncan Peak is the highpoint of Duncan Ridge, and is located in the heart of central Idaho’s Pioneer Mountains. The peak is accessible from the same trailhead as the popular 12er Hyndman Peak, and is located just north of that more well-known mountain. Duncan Peak offers up a highly scenic approach hike, fun ridge scrambling, and an exciting final climb to the summit block. Not to mention great views of Hyndman and other surrounding peaks.

After a 3 hour drive from Boise, Sean and I hit the trail just after 9am. The generally flat approach trail was a pleasant warm up for the first few miles, then climbed more steeply up to the valley south of Hyndman Peak. We hung a left at around 7800’, and headed cross-country to the north, aiming for the valley that separates Hyndman from Duncan Peak to the north.

A beautiful morning and stellar scenery had us in great moods as we made our way up the highly scenic alpine valley toward the saddle on the ridge connecting Hyndman and Duncan. We crossed a couple different snowfields along the way. The snow was supportive, but just soft enough to kick steps when needed. Below the saddle, we had to deal with some talus, but it wasn’t bad. Once at the saddle, we were treated with great views looking down into Wildhorse Creek.

From the saddle, we did some fun scrambling on stable rock until we reached the base of the summit block. At that point, the ridge was no longer passable, but there was an obvious ledge to the right that ledge to a steep chimney with stable rock leading to the summit. The climbing from the saddle all the way to the summit was a lot of fun.

The summit was a great place for a PB&J. Not sure what Sean ate, but it couldn’t have been as good… Views were fantastic, and we played “name that peak” for a while before it was time to head down. We carefully retraced our steps back down the chimney, across the ledge, and down the ridge back to the saddle. On the way back, we set a fairly mellow pace while soaking in the views of the rugged alpine valley, and then picked up speed once back on the main trail.

Round trip was 13 miles and 4700’ of elevation gain in just under 9 hours. Along the way we enjoyed fantastic scenery, near perfect weather, fun scrambling, and great conversation as usual with Sean. Days like this are hard to beat.

Map of the route, 13 miles and 4700' gain round trip.	Start of the hike from Hyndman Creek trailhead.	Steep section of trail next to the creek.	Beautiful alpine terrain.	Old Hyndman and Cobb Peak from the hike in.
First view of Duncan Peak at the head of the valley.	Above one of the hanging valleys.	Nearing the saddle.	Some talus to deal with, but not bad.	Making our way up to the saddle.
Hyndman Peak from the saddle to the north.	Southeast ridge of Duncan Peak.	Pausing for a breather on the ridge.	Ledge system below the summit block.	Steep but stable chimney to the summit.
On the summit of Duncan Peak.	Hyndman Peak and friends, from Duncan Peak.	Goat Mountain from Duncan Peak.	Heading back down the valley.	Trail through the aspens on the way back.
Map of the route, 13 miles and 4700' gain round trip.Start of the hike from Hyndman Creek trailhead.Steep section of trail next to the creek.Beautiful alpine terrain.Old Hyndman and Cobb Peak from the hike in.First view of Duncan Peak at the head of the valley.Above one of the hanging valleys.Nearing the saddle.Some talus to deal with, but not bad.Making our way up to the saddle.Hyndman Peak from the saddle to the north.Southeast ridge of Duncan Peak.Pausing for a breather on the ridge.Ledge system below the summit block.Steep but stable chimney to the summit.On the summit of Duncan Peak.Hyndman Peak and friends, from Duncan Peak.Goat Mountain from Duncan Peak.Heading back down the valley.Trail through the aspens on the way back.