Where is Swanholm Peak?
Usa, north-america
30.6 km
2,662 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, thrill-seekers, listen up! Swanholm Peak in central Idaho is calling, but this ain't your average Sunday drive. We're talking about a climb to 8,733 feet in Elmore County, about 19 miles southeast of Lowman.
So, how do you get there? Ditch the pavement! You'll be bumping along FS Road 229LO, affectionately known as Swanholm Jeep Road. From FS Road 251, it's about 3 miles to a first summit, then just a bit further (0.2 miles) to FS Road 229LO itself. This beast is only 2 miles long, but those are two seriously steep miles!
Expect a super bumpy, rocky dirt track that demands a 4x4. Long wheelbase vehicles? Good luck navigating those tight switchbacks! Passing another vehicle is a real challenge, with few pull-outs.
Heads up: this road is only open from about June 15 to Sept 15, buried in snow the rest of the year up in the Boise National Forest.
But is it worth it? Absolutely! The views are incredible. Plus, there's an old fire lookout on the summit, built way back in 1922. It's not in use anymore, but it adds a cool historical vibe to the amazing scenery. Get ready for an adventure!
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 30.6 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,662 m
- Difficulty
- hard
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