Grandjean Rock Climbing

A relatively un-developed area, the Grandjean area boasts some neat little lines and access to the premier backcountry playground of the Sawtooth Range. In the small area around "Grandjean" (which is the valley area around the Grandjean trailhead and rustic Sawtooth Lodge) there are some small outcroppings with interesting leads, potential for decent top-rope access (walkable from the campgrounds or lodge) as well as some undeveloped bouldering in the first mile or two of trail toward Baron Creek. There is also access to the stellar bouldering up around Trail Creek Lakes. (Most of which is known to locals at Boise-area gyms or Stanley's various guiding services).

This side of the Sawtooths also boasts access to the seldom-climbed (but stellar centerpiece to this valley) Grandjean Peak and other peaks in the Sawtooth Range. There is no modern guidebook to the area, but many of the Sawtooth-area classics have topos that can be found online. Beyond that, the best overview for the range may be Idaho - A Climbers Guide by Tom Lopez. But even then, Grandjean has been often-overlooked.

Parking at the Sawtooth Lodge or Grandjean Trailhead is generally open late May - October, but check with local agencies or the privately operated Sawtooth Lodge before heading out, as FS 524 often has rough sections best reserved for 4WD vehicles and the road has washed out at various times in recent years.

Area is on Sawtooth National Recreation Area and Sawtooth Wilderness - plus Sawtooth National Forest (aka, 2-3 different jurisdictions all at once) be aware of land use laws.