Idaho · Hiking · Near Ketchum

Chocolate Gulch

5.6 mi
round trip
557 ft
climb
6,845 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Sep
best months

Is Chocolate Gulch open right now?

Alert in the area

The Forest Service lists 4 alerts for Sawtooth National Forest.

As of · Source: USFS · Sawtooth National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Chocolate Gulch is a 5.6-mile out-and-back hike in the Ketchum Ranger District of Idaho's Sawtooth National Forest, managed by the Forest Service. The trail rises from about 6,222 feet to about 6,845 feet, with a total elevation gain of 557 feet, and is rated moderate. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Ketchum show July highs around 80°F with lows near 45°F, and the trail sits higher than that station, so expect it to run a little cooler. Bikes are allowed on the natural-surface trail. The North Fork Loop starts just 0.4 miles away, and the Saddle Trail is about a mile off. North Fork Campground and the Sawtooth National Recreation Area are both roughly 1.7 miles away.

Around this trail

Add any of these when you start a trip
  • Sleep close

    North Fork Cg

    Campground

    Campground · 1.7 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    The Sun Valley Club

    Restaurant

    On your way back · 5 mi
  • If it rains

    Sun Valley Museum of Art

    Museum

    In town

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors

More in Ketchum

Local outfitters

Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.

  • Best time to go · May–Sep

    Best time to visit Chocolate Gulch

    Best months: May–September. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      31° / 8°

      10 wet · 9 snow

    2. Feb

      35° / 11°

      9 wet · 7 snow

    3. Mar

      43° / 19°

      8 wet · 5 snow

    4. Apr

      52° / 27°

      7 wet · 2 snow

    5. May

      62° / 35°

      8 wet

    6. Jun

      70° / 40°

      7 wet

    7. Jul

      80° / 45°

      5 wet

    8. Aug

      79° / 43°

      4 wet

    9. Sep

      69° / 36°

      4 wet

    10. Oct

      56° / 28°

      5 wet · 1 snow

    11. Nov

      41° / 17°

      7 wet · 4 snow

    12. Dec

      30° / 9°

      10 wet · 9 snow

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Ketchum Rs, ID, 6.1 mi away at 5,890 ft. The station sits about 1,000 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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