Idaho · Hiking

Heart Pass

9.9 mi
round trip
797 ft
climb
6,531 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Jul–Sep
best months

Is Heart Pass open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in North Fork Ranger District. It doesn't name Heart Pass, so check the source for the area it covers (6 listed).

As of · Source: USFS · North Fork Ranger District. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Heart Pass is a hard hike in the North Fork Ranger District of Idaho's Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest, managed by the Forest Service. The out-and-back route is about 9.9 miles long, rising from roughly 5,647 feet to about 6,531 feet. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station show July and August highs around 70°F with lows in the low 50s and only about six wet days a month. Winters there are cold, with January highs near 28°F and lows around 19°F. The trail is natural-surface, and both bikes and horses are allowed. It is not an accessible trail. Skyland Lake is about 1.5 miles away and Fawn Lake about 1.8 miles. For camping, Surveyors Lookout is about 4.2 miles off, and Aquarius Campground is about 7.8 miles away.

  • Best time to go · Jul–Sep

    Best time to visit Heart Pass

    Best months: July–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

      28° / 19°

      19 wet

    2. Feb

      28° / 19°

      17 wet

    3. Mar

      34° / 22°

      19 wet

    4. Apr

      40° / 27°

      17 wet

    5. May

      50° / 36°

      15 wet

    6. Jun

      58° / 42°

      13 wet

    7. Jul

      70° / 52°

      6 wet

    8. Aug

      69° / 51°

      6 wet

    9. Sep

      59° / 44°

      8 wet

    10. Oct

      44° / 32°

      13 wet

    11. Nov

      32° / 23°

      17 wet

    12. Dec

      27° / 18°

      18 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Mullan Pass Vor/Dme, ID, 36.6 mi away at 6,028 ft. The station sits about 500 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.