Idaho · Hiking

Cub Creek

2.3 mi
round trip
1,621 ft
climb
6,640 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Sep
best months

Is Cub Creek open right now?

Alert in the area

The Forest Service lists 5 alerts for Payette National Forest.

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

Cub Creek is a 2.3-mile out-and-back hike in Idaho's Payette National Forest, within the New Meadows Ranger District. The trail rises from about 5,916 feet to 6,640 feet, a total gain of 1,621 feet, and is rated hard. The Forest Service manages the land, and the route is natural-surfaced, with horses allowed but bikes not. The steepest stretch comes at about 0.88 miles in, with a grade of 22 percent. The trail is open year-round, and the estimated time is about 1.5 hours. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in McCall show July and August highs around 81°F with lows in the mid-40s and only about five wet days a month. That station sits roughly 1,600 feet lower than the trail's high point, so temperatures on the ridge run cooler. Twin Lakes Creek Trail starts just 0.1 mile away, and Lost Basin Trail is 0.4 mile off. Twin Lakes (Granite Lookout) and Indian Spring are both within about a mile. For an overnight stay, Black Lake Campground is about 4 miles away.

Local outfitters

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

  • Best time to go · May–Sep

    Best time to visit Cub Creek

    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° / 13°

      14 wet · 11 snow

    2. Feb

      36° / 14°

      12 wet · 9 snow

    3. Mar

      43° / 20°

      13 wet · 7 snow

    4. Apr

      51° / 27°

      12 wet · 3 snow

    5. May

      61° / 35°

      12 wet · 1 snow

    6. Jun

      70° / 40°

      10 wet

    7. Jul

      81° / 45°

      5 wet

    8. Aug

      81° / 43°

      5 wet

    9. Sep

      72° / 36°

      6 wet

    10. Oct

      57° / 28°

      9 wet · 2 snow

    11. Nov

      40° / 21°

      13 wet · 7 snow

    12. Dec

      30° / 13°

      15 wet · 12 snow

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Mccall, ID, 26.7 mi away at 5,025 ft. The station sits about 1,600 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.