I was working in Hailey before I went on a week vacation. I was planning to hike somewhere in the area on Saturday. Zach contacted me mid-week and agreed to join me. We ran through some options and ended up deciding on hiking up Mushroom, Gladiator, and Peak 10185 in the Boulder Mountains near Galena Summit.

Mushroom Peak is 10126 feet and it's southwest ridge runs to Galena Summit. I refer to it as Mushroom Peak, after reading that name in numerous avalanche reports over the years. I have a history with the peak, having attempted it in June 2011(trip report) and May 2012. In the May trip I got within 100 feet of the top before worrying about avalanche conditions and backing off. In addition to not making it to the summit, I also was looking for my crampons that I lost somewhere on the peak in May.

Zach and I drove the maze of back roads and ended up near the entrance to Westernhome Gulch. I had used Westernhome for both of my snow ascents, but it is still a tricky place to navigate to.

Once in the gulch we simply followed the gulch to the saddle just east of Mushroom Peak at around 9700'. Around 9100' we took our first break. During the break I could hear rock fall coming off of Gladiator Peak. Sure enough we spotted 4 people on the summit rolling boulders down. Had this been 2 hours later in the day, we would have been getting pelted by their rocks, as our route came up the side of the peak they were tossing rocks down. From 9700', the hike steepens, but the rock is still good and we made quick work of the remaining 400'. On top we had spectacular views of the White Clouds, Boulders, and Sawtooths. We signed the register left by Rick Baugher, which we were the first to sign in 10 years. With a couple of more peaks left, we took off quickly.

We then descended to the saddle between Mushroom and Gladiator Peak.The going was easy, but the last 200 feet of Gladiator looked challenging. I have been dealing with a bout of plantar fasciitis and it was starting to catch up with me, so Zach was out in front. Just below the crux Zach communicated that it was challenging, but going to work. Sure enough, it was steady class 3 for a few moves and then we were on the summit. Gladiator also had a summit register left by Rick Baugher and equally incredible views!

We then descended to the saddle between Gladiator and Peak 10185. This saddle was the head of Gladiator Creek and contained a trail that we intended to descend. The short, rocky descent to the trail was agonizing on my heels, so I called it a day and waited at the trail for Zach to head up to Peak 10185. It took him awhile, but he eventually tagged the top and rejoined me. The trail down Gladiator Creek was suprisingly steep, but great tread. We passed the trailhead and continued traveling west to our car in Westernhome Gulch. In hindsight, it probably would have made more sense to just park at the Gladiator Creek trailhead.

Nice day in the mountains, with great weather and great views!

Instead of our starting point (near the head of Westernhome Gulch), I would recommend just turning onto Gladiator Creek road at Galena Lodge on Idaho 75. Follow that road north for 1.6 miles to the signed trailhead.

We went up Westernhome Gulch. Climb to the saddle just east of the Mushroom Peak and then follow the ridge to the top. We then dropped down to the saddle between Mushroom and Gladiator and followed the north ridge of Gladiator Peak to the summit. We then dropped to the saddle between Gladiator and Peak 10185 and followed the trail shown on the quad down Gladiator Creek.