Idaho · Hiking

Lateral Canyon

1.9 mi
round trip
25 ft
climb
7,461 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Sep
best months

Is Lateral Canyon open right now?

No closures listed

The Forest Service lists no closures for Caribou-Targhee National Forest.

As of · Source: USFS · Caribou-Targhee National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Lateral Canyon is an easy out-and-back hike of about 1.9 miles in the Montpelier Ranger District of Idaho's Caribou-Targhee National Forest. The trail rises about 25 feet from a low point of 7,263 feet to a high of 7,461 feet, so it's a short walk with almost no climb. The Forest Service manages the land, and the trail is natural-surfaced. Bikes and horses are both allowed, and the route is not accessible. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Bern, Idaho, show July highs around 85°F with lows near 46°F, and June and September are milder, with highs in the mid-70s. That station sits well below the trail, so temperatures on the canyon run cooler. Summit View Campground is about 1.5 miles away, and the Summit View North and Cold Spring - Summit View hikes are both within about 2 miles. The Shale Trail is roughly 2.3 miles off.

Local outfitters

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

  • Best time to go · May–Sep

    Best time to visit Lateral Canyon

    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

      29° / 7°

      12 wet · 11 snow

    2. Feb

      32° / 9°

      11 wet · 9 snow

    3. Mar

      42° / 18°

      12 wet · 7 snow

    4. Apr

      53° / 27°

      12 wet · 3 snow

    5. May

      64° / 34°

      11 wet · 1 snow

    6. Jun

      75° / 40°

      8 wet

    7. Jul

      85° / 46°

      6 wet

    8. Aug

      84° / 45°

      6 wet

    9. Sep

      73° / 36°

      7 wet

    10. Oct

      59° / 27°

      8 wet · 2 snow

    11. Nov

      43° / 18°

      10 wet · 6 snow

    12. Dec

      30° / 9°

      12 wet · 10 snow

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Bern, ID, 16.2 mi away at 5,964 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.