Idaho · Hiking

Comet Creek

9.4 mi
round trip
748 ft
climb
7,526 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Jun–Sep
best months

Is Comet Creek open right now?

Alert in the area

The Forest Service lists an alert for Salmon-Challis National Forest.

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

Comet Creek is a hard hike in Idaho's Salmon-Challis National Forest, on the Salmon-Cobalt Ranger District. The trail is an out-and-back of about 9.4 miles, with a total elevation gain of 748 feet, and it rises from a low point of about 4,973 feet to a high of about 7,526 feet. The Forest Service manages the land, and the trail is natural-surfaced, with horses and bikes allowed. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Jackson, Montana, show July highs around 77°F with lows near 42°F, and the station sits about 1,000 feet lower than the trail's high point, so temperatures up top run cooler. The trail is open year-round. Bird Creek is about a mile away, and Daly Creek and Little Moose Creek are each within about 2.4 miles. Tower Rock Campground, about 4.6 miles off, is the closest place to camp.

  • Best time to go · Jun–Sep

    Best time to visit Comet Creek

    Best months: June–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

      28° / 8°

      6 wet

    2. Feb

      31° / 8°

      6 wet

    3. Mar

      39° / 16°

      8 wet

    4. Apr

      46° / 23°

      9 wet

    5. May

      57° / 31°

      10 wet

    6. Jun

      66° / 37°

      9 wet

    7. Jul

      77° / 42°

      6 wet

    8. Aug

      76° / 39°

      5 wet

    9. Sep

      66° / 32°

      4 wet

    10. Oct

      51° / 25°

      5 wet

    11. Nov

      36° / 14°

      7 wet

    12. Dec

      27° / 7°

      7 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Jackson, MT, 28.7 mi away at 6,480 ft. The station sits about 1,000 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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