Idaho · Hiking · Near Idaho City

Gold Fork Summit

3.6 mi
round trip
1,535 ft
climb
5,810 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Jun–Sep
best months

Is GOLD FORK SUMMIT open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Boise National Forest. It doesn't name GOLD FORK SUMMIT, so check the source for the area it covers.

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

Gold Fork Summit is a moderate out-and-back hike in Idaho's Boise National Forest, within the Idaho City Ranger District. The route is about 7 miles long, with a total elevation gain of 1,535 feet, and the high point reaches 5,810 feet. The trail starts at roughly 5,729 feet and ends at the same elevation, so the climb is a steady one with no net gain over the round trip. The steepest stretch comes early, around the 0.9-mile mark, where the grade reaches about 12 percent. The Forest Service manages the land, and the trip takes about 3 hours to complete. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Deadwood Lodge, at a similar elevation, show July highs around 82°F with lows near 40°F, while winter highs stay in the low to mid 30s. Several other routes sit close by. Ridge is about 0.4 miles away, and Gold Fork and Moose Trail are each about half a mile off. For an overnight stay, Edna Creek Campground is about 2.3 miles away.

Around this trail

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

    Beaver Creek Group Campground

    Campground

    Campground · 1.8 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Diamond Lil's Restaurant & Saloon

    Restaurant

    On your way back · 16 mi
  • If it rainsj.a.woodhouse from United States, CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons

    Kirkham Hot Springs

    Hot spring

    Hot spring · 6.2 mi from Idaho City

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors · Photos: j.a.woodhouse from United States, CC BY 2.0 (commons)

More in Idaho City

Local outfitters

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

  • Best time to go · Jun–Sep

    Best time to visit GOLD FORK SUMMIT

    Best months: June–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

      35° / 8°

    2. Feb

      36° / 12°

    3. Mar

      42° / 16°

    4. Apr

      49° / 22°

    5. May

      61° / 30°

    6. Jun

      70° / 35°

    7. Jul

      82° / 40°

    8. Aug

      81° / 38°

    9. Sep

      73° / 32°

    10. Oct

      57° / 26°

    11. Nov

      40° / 16°

    12. Dec

      31° / 9°

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Deadwood Lodge, ID, 32.5 mi away at 5,948 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.