Idaho · Hiking

John Henry

4.2 mi
round trip
746 ft
climb
6,634 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Jun, Aug–Oct
best months

Clear today

Weather is good · OpenWeather · checked 1 h ago

John Henry is a 4.2-mile out-and-back hike on Bureau of Land Management land in Idaho's Challis Field Office, about 4 miles from the town of Challis. The trail rises from 5,888 feet to 6,634 feet, a moderate climb of 746 feet, and the route is natural-surfaced, so it works for hikers, horses and mountain bikers. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Challis show July highs around 87°F with lows near 52°F, while winter highs stay in the upper 20s. That station sits well below the trail, so temperatures on the ridge run cooler. Several other routes start close by, including Mahogany, Valley and Skull Valley, all about a tenth of a mile away. For an overnight stay, Big Bayhorse Campground is roughly 9 miles off.

Local outfitters

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

  • Best time to go · May–Jun, Aug–Oct

    Best time to visit John Henry

    Best months: May–June and August–October. 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

      29° / 11°

      7 wet

    2. Feb

      37° / 17°

      5 wet

    3. Mar

      49° / 25°

      7 wet

    4. Apr

      57° / 31°

      7 wet

    5. May

      67° / 40°

      9 wet

    6. Jun

      75° / 46°

      7 wet

    7. Jul

      87° / 52°

      5 wet

    8. Aug

      85° / 50°

      5 wet

    9. Sep

      74° / 42°

      5 wet

    10. Oct

      59° / 32°

      5 wet

    11. Nov

      40° / 21°

      6 wet

    12. Dec

      29° / 11°

      7 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Challis Ap, ID, 3 mi away at 5,033 ft. The station sits about 1,600 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.