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

Disappointment Creek

14.3 mi
round trip
81 ft
climb
5,827 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Jun–Aug
best months

Is Disappointment 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.

Disappointment Creek is an easy out-and-back hike in Idaho's Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness, on the Krassel Ranger District of the Payette National Forest. The trail is managed by the Forest Service and runs about 14.3 miles, with a low point of 2,794 feet and a high of 5,827 feet. The climb is gentle, with an elevation gain of 81 feet one way. The route is on natural surface and allows horses. Bikes are not permitted. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at a similar elevation show July and August highs around 76°F with lows in the upper 30s, while winter highs stay near freezing. The trail is open year-round. Other hikes start close by, including Devils Toe about 1.4 miles away and Runaway Ridge about 2.2 miles away. Grass Mountain (Wilderness) is about 2.3 miles off, and Cold Meadows Airfield campground is about 6.8 miles away.

  • Best time to go · Jun–Aug

    Best time to visit Disappointment Creek

    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

      31° / 5°

    2. Feb

      33° / 8°

    3. Mar

      38° / 13°

    4. Apr

      46° / 20°

    5. May

      57° / 28°

    6. Jun

      64° / 35°

    7. Jul

      76° / 39°

    8. Aug

      76° / 36°

    9. Sep

      65° / 31°

    10. Oct

      52° / 24°

    11. Nov

      36° / 14°

    12. Dec

      28° / 5°

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Dixie N, ID, 27.3 mi away at 5,740 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.