Ryan Peak sits at 11,714 feet. The south ridge is a class 2.

Topo of the route

South Ridge

Photos by Tad Schafer

Turn off of ID-75 north of Sun Valley at the SNRA headquarters. Follow the dirt road, FS-146, for 5.5 miles to the North Fork trailhead and a small camping area. Follow the North Fork Trail as it begins on the right-hand side of the parking area, climbs the hill, and then descends down along side the North Fork of the Big Wood River. In 1.5 miles you pass the opening of a long canyon on your right. Kent Peak can be seen at the head of the canyon. Pass the opening of the canyon and look for the West Pass Trail on your right in a small sagebrush clearing marked with several rock cains. The junction can be hard to find. The trail enters thick trees in 25 yards. It then switchbacks up a tree-covered hill and then meets up with the canyon. Watch for several waterfalls on your right. The trail eventually leads to West Pass.

At 9,400 feet, you enter a small sloping basin with a suitable campsite for 2 on your right. From here, continue on the trail climbing toward West Pass. At West Pass, leave the trail and head for the Ryan-Kent saddle. Then follow the south ridge of Ryan to the top in class 2 terrain.

Once on top Castle Peak is due north. Kent's crinkly north face is to the south and the Pioneers are to the southeast beyond Kent. The ridge to Kent is a passable class 3-4 route. Rock towers pose route-finding problems. From Kent, you can drop to the saddle between Point 11,000 and continue down into the basin until you link back up with the West Pass trail.