Idaho · Hiking · Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness

Cutthroat

5.8 mi
round trip
419 ft
climb
8,098 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Jun–Aug
best months

Is Cutthroat 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.

Cutthroat is a 5.8-mile out-and-back hike in Idaho's Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness, on the Middle Fork Ranger District of the Salmon-Challis National Forest. The trail rises about 419 feet from a low point of 7,608 feet to a high of 8,098 feet, and it is rated moderate. The Forest Service manages the land, and the route is natural-surfaced and open year-round. Horses are allowed, but bikes are not. That makes it a trail for hikers and riders on horseback rather than for cyclists. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Stanley put July and August highs around 80°F with lows in the upper 30s and only five or six wet days a month. That station sits well below the trail, so temperatures on the route run cooler. Nearby, Soldier Basin and Muskeg Creek are both within about 3.5 miles. Dagger Falls Campground and the Middle Fork Salmon River are a little over 4 miles away.

Local outfitters

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

  • Best time to go · Jun–Aug

    Best time to visit Cutthroat

    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, 28.2 mi away at 6,495 ft. The station sits about 1,600 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.