Idaho · Hiking

Hard Creek

5.8 mi
round trip
3,430 ft
climb
5,289 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Sep
best months

Caution today

Agency alerts are in effect for this area; weather is good · USFS, OpenWeather · checked 1 h ago

Is Hard 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.

Hard Creek is a hard hike in the New Meadows Ranger District of Idaho's Payette National Forest, about 10 miles from the town of New Meadows. The trail is an out-and-back route of roughly 5.8 miles, with a total climb of about 3,430 feet. The one-way gain is 1,618 feet, and the steepest stretch comes at about 1.6 miles in, where the grade reaches 47%. The trail is natural-surface and allows both horses and bikes. It is not an accessible trail. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from the nearby McCall weather station show July and August highs around 81°F with only about five wet days a month, while winter brings highs near 30°F and regular snow days. Nearby options include Granite Mountain, about 2 miles away, and the Granite Mountain Trail at about 3 miles. Grouse Campground is about 5 miles off, and paddlers can head to the Little Salmon River, about 6 miles away.

Local outfitters

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

  • Best time to go · May–Sep

    Best time to visit Hard 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, 17.2 mi away at 5,025 ft. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.