Idaho · Hiking

Ebb and Flow

3.3 mi
round trip
334 ft
climb
5,889 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Jun, Aug–Oct
best months

Ebb and Flow is a 3.3-mile out-and-back hike on Bureau of Land Management land in the Challis Field Office in Idaho, about 3 miles from the town of Challis. The trail rises from a low point of about 5,550 feet to a high of about 5,889 feet, with a total elevation gain of 334 feet. It is rated moderate. The route is natural-surface and open to both horses and bikes, so it works for riders and equestrians as well as hikers. The closest neighbors are the Valley mountain biking area and the Bridge hike, each about 0.1 mile away, and the Ebb and Flow Connector and Foothills hikes, each about 0.2 mile away. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Challis show July highs around 87°F with lows near 52°F, while winter highs stay near 29°F. That station sits roughly 850 feet lower than the trail's high point, so temperatures on the route run cooler.

Local outfitters

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

  • Best time to go · May–Jun, Aug–Oct

    Best time to visit Ebb and Flow

    Best months: May–June and August–October. 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° / 11°

      7 wet

    2. Feb

      37° / 17°

      5 wet

    3. Mar

      49° / 25°

      7 wet

    4. Apr

      57° / 31°

      7 wet

    5. May

      67° / 40°

      9 wet

    6. Jun

      75° / 46°

      7 wet

    7. Jul

      87° / 52°

      5 wet

    8. Aug

      85° / 50°

      5 wet

    9. Sep

      74° / 42°

      5 wet

    10. Oct

      59° / 32°

      5 wet

    11. Nov

      40° / 21°

      6 wet

    12. Dec

      29° / 11°

      7 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Challis Ap, ID, 2.5 mi away at 5,033 ft. The station sits about 900 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.