Spring weather has hit the Treasure Valley. Instead of just repeating the same old local peaks, I wanted to venture out a bit. I found a peak north of Mountain Home that looked pretty cool. Rattlesnake Peak is un-officially named, but sits at 5268' in elevation, just off of Highway 20. The peak is 2.5 miles, almost due north from Teapot Dome. The peak is on the Teapot Dome quad.

While the peak might seem lame, due to height and due to the fact that it burned last summer; it is a really cool challenge. The hike starts out along a neat little creek, then has big hoodoo rock formations. The gully I took down was reminiscent of gullies in the bigger mountain ranges.

I parked right off of US 20, just the first big switchback where it starts gaining elevation on its way to Tollgate. The road is blocked just after the pull off. You will immediately see a few signs for "Snow Markers". The red necks did a good job shooting the signs up.

I followed the creek on a nice trail. The trail eventually crosses the creek using a bridge. While the hike is enjoyable, the creek starts heading north and Rattlesnake Peak is to our northeast. Make your way to the saddle between Point 4285 and 4671. Once in this broad saddle, you have 2 options; the first is to stay on the ridge up to Point 4671. The second option is to continue east and get into the gully the goes between Point 4428 and Point 4908
. This gully is steep and very scenic. Once out of the gully or the ridge, starting heading east to the base of the summit block. Rock walls protect the summit, but right below the summit there are openings between the rock formations that allow you to get through with minimal climbing. These tunnels are very scenic!

The summit had some wires and a wood post, making me think it might have been used to map the area (no benchmark though). Views of the Bennett Hills and Snake River Plain are pretty cool.

I really enjoyed this peak, as I thought the scrambling and gully sections were more typical of higher peaks. Yeah, the area burned, but you really can't tell once you are on route and the grass was already returning and its only mid-March.

Take US 20 north out of Mountain Home. Follow the highway until it reaches the foothills. Just after the highway enters the narrow canyon and starts gaining elevation, look for a turnout on the right-hand side of the road (Point 3912 on the map). Park here.

(See route map below in photos below)

Follow the creek from the parking area, heading north. After about 1/3 of a mile, gain the saddle to your right (the saddle between Points 4285 and 4671). You can follow the ridge up to 4671 from here or a gully further east (between Points 4428 and 4908). I recommend the gully for scenic purposes. Either way, once you are around the 4800' level, I traversed east under the rock towers until I was just below the summit. Once below the summit, I weaved through the rock formations and up to the summit.