Cape Horn Summit Peak

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Cape Horn Summit Peak
Elevation 8421'

Nice Day of Snowshoeing Near Banner Summit
February 12, 2026
44.3584°N / 115.2841°W

The area around Banner Summit, in central Idaho, is home to several peaks that make for great snowshoe and/or backcountry skiing destinations, thanks to being fairly close to the highway. One such peak is “Cape Horn Summit Peak”, a lesser-known peak that overlooks Bear Valley.

	After a 2.5-hour drive from Boise to the snowmobile parking lot at the start of Bear Valley Road, Michael and I were ready to hit the trail. Here’s a view of our peak from near the trailhead.
	We made good use of the snowmobile packed road for the first 3 miles. It was so firm we didn’t even need snowshoes.
	From Cape Horn Summit, we went off-trail. Still some snowmo tracks, but some powder too. Here's our peak coming into view.
	One final steep section below the summit. Much easier thanks to a snowmo track up the face, and televators!
	On the summit of Cape Horn Summit Peak. Beautiful day, not to cold, no wind. Great place for a PB&J!
	Bull Trout Point from the summit.
	Cape Horn Mountain from the summit.
	Bear Valley from the summit.
	Soon enough it was time to head back down. We could see fog in the valley where we'd parked.
	After negotiating this steep section, it was smooth sailing as we retraced our route back to the trailhead.
	Map of our route. Just over 8 miles and 1700' elevation gain round trip, in 5 hours of hiking.

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