Idaho · Hiking · Near Ketchum

Cross Cut

1.7 mi
round trip
70 ft
climb
7,598 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Jun–Aug
best months

Is Cross Cut 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.

Cross Cut is an easy, short hike in Idaho's Sawtooth National Recreation Area, part of the Sawtooth National Forest. The Forest Service manages the land, and the trail is about 1.7 miles long with a low point of 7,439 feet and a high of 7,598 feet. The route is an out-and-back with a gentle climb of about 70 feet. It sits on natural surface, and bikes are allowed, so the trail works for a quick outing or as a way to stretch the legs before or after another outing in the area. Summer is the most comfortable time to visit. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Stanley put July and August highs around 80°F, with lows in the upper 30s. That station sits roughly 1,100 feet below the trail, so temperatures on the hike run a little cooler. The trail is open year-round. Horse Creek Loop Ski and the Psycho and Pearl's hikes both lie within about half a mile. For an overnight base, Chemeketan Campground is about 5 miles away.

Around this trail

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

    Chemeketan Cg

    Campground

    Campground · 5.1 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    The Sun Valley Club

    Restaurant

    On your way back · 20 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 · Jun–Aug

    Best time to visit Cross Cut

    Best months: June–August. 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

      29° / 4°

      12 wet

    2. Feb

      35° / 7°

      12 wet

    3. Mar

      42° / 14°

      14 wet

    4. Apr

      49° / 21°

      12 wet

    5. May

      60° / 30°

      12 wet

    6. Jun

      69° / 35°

      10 wet

    7. Jul

      80° / 39°

      6 wet

    8. Aug

      80° / 37°

      5 wet

    9. Sep

      70° / 31°

      7 wet

    10. Oct

      55° / 24°

      9 wet

    11. Nov

      39° / 14°

      12 wet

    12. Dec

      28° / 6°

      14 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Stanley Rs, ID, 23.4 mi away at 6,495 ft. The station sits about 1,100 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.