Idaho · Hiking

Hero Lake

7.7 mi
round trip
664 ft
climb
5,285 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Jul–Sep
best months

Is Hero Lake open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Idaho Panhandle National Forests. It doesn't name Hero Lake, so check the source for the area it covers (4 listed).

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

Hero Lake is a hard hike in the St. Joe Ranger District of the Idaho Panhandle National Forests, managed by the Forest Service. The route is about 7.7 miles long, with a one-way climb of 664 feet from a low point of 4,608 feet to a high of 5,285 feet. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Mullan Pass show July and August highs around 70°F with only about six wet days a month, while winter highs stay near 28°F. The trail is natural-surface and allows horses and bikes. It is not an accessible trail. Cataract Creek and Northbound Creek are both about 1.6 miles away, and Martin Creek is about 1.7 miles off. Surveyors Lookout campground sits about 2.7 miles from the lake.

  • Best time to go · Jul–Sep

    Best time to visit Hero Lake

    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, 33.7 mi away at 6,028 ft. The station sits about 700 ft higher than this place, so expect it a little warmer here. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.