Idaho · Hiking · Near Ketchum

Gladiator

3.6 mi
round trip
150 ft
climb
7,530 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Jun–Aug
best months

Is Gladiator 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.

Gladiator is a moderate hike of about 3.6 miles in the Sawtooth National Recreation Area, part of the Sawtooth National Forest in Idaho. The Forest Service manages the land, and the trail starts just 0.4 miles from the town of Galena. The route is an out-and-back with a low point of about 7,361 feet and a high of about 7,530 feet, so the climb is a gentle one of about 150 feet one way. The trail surface is natural, and bikes are allowed. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Stanley show July and August highs around 80°F with lows in the upper 30s, and those months see the fewest wet days of the year. That station sits roughly 1,000 feet lower than the trail, so temperatures on the hike run cooler. The Gladiator Loop mountain biking route and The Grinder hike both lie within about a quarter mile. Chemeketan Campground is about 5.5 miles away, and the Salmon River offers canoeing about 6.4 miles out.

Around this trail

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

    Prairie Campground

    Campground

    Campground · 5.0 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    The Sun Valley Club

    Restaurant

    On your way back · 19 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 Gladiator

    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, 24.4 mi away at 6,495 ft. The station sits about 1,000 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.

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