Idaho · Hiking

Grade Creek

14.0 mi
round trip
1,166 ft
climb
6,573 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Sep
best months

Is Grade 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.

Grade Creek is a 14-mile out-and-back hike in Idaho's Payette National Forest, within the Weiser Ranger District. The trail climbs from about 5,293 feet to about 6,573 feet, a total gain of 1,166 feet, and is rated hard. The Forest Service manages the land, and the route is natural-surfaced and open year-round. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in McCall show July and August highs around 81°F with lows in the mid-40s and only about five wet days a month. That station sits roughly 1,500 feet lower than the trail's high point, so temperatures on the ridge run cooler. Several other hikes lie within a few miles, including E/F Brownlee Creek, Camp Creek and Upper Camp Creek Trail. Buck Park Cabin, about 4.4 miles away, offers a place to stay.

Local outfitters

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

  • Best time to go · May–Sep

    Best time to visit Grade Creek

    Best months: May–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

      31° / 13°

      14 wet · 11 snow

    2. Feb

      36° / 14°

      12 wet · 9 snow

    3. Mar

      43° / 20°

      13 wet · 7 snow

    4. Apr

      51° / 27°

      12 wet · 3 snow

    5. May

      61° / 35°

      12 wet · 1 snow

    6. Jun

      70° / 40°

      10 wet

    7. Jul

      81° / 45°

      5 wet

    8. Aug

      81° / 43°

      5 wet

    9. Sep

      72° / 36°

      6 wet

    10. Oct

      57° / 28°

      9 wet · 2 snow

    11. Nov

      40° / 21°

      13 wet · 7 snow

    12. Dec

      30° / 13°

      15 wet · 12 snow

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Mccall, ID, 36.5 mi away at 5,025 ft. The station sits about 1,500 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.