Little Elk Creek
- 2.6 mi
- round trip
- 718 ft
- climb
- 7,909 ft
- high point
- Out and back
- route
- May–Sep
- best months
Is Little Elk Creek 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.
Little Elk Creek is an easy out-and-back hike in Idaho's Caribou-Targhee National Forest, within the Montpelier Ranger District. The trail is about 2.6 miles long, with a total elevation gain of 718 feet, and it reaches a high point of 7,909 feet. The route is natural-surfaced and open to both horses and bikes. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station show July highs around 80°F with lows near 43°F and only about six wet days, while winter highs stay in the upper 20s. That station sits roughly 1,500 feet lower than the trail's high point, so temperatures on the route run cooler. The hike takes about an hour. The trail is open year-round, and the Forest Service manages the land. Several other hikes start close by, including Boulevard at 0.4 miles and Giraffe Creek at 0.8 miles. For an overnight stay, Clear Creek Guard Station is about 4 miles away.
Local outfitters
- Greys River Cove46 mi away
Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.
Best time to go · May–Sep
Best time to visit Little Elk 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.
Jan
28° / 6°
13 wet
Feb
33° / 7°
11 wet
Mar
42° / 16°
11 wet
Apr
49° / 23°
11 wet
May
61° / 32°
12 wet
Jun
70° / 37°
9 wet
Jul
80° / 43°
6 wet
Aug
79° / 41°
7 wet
Sep
70° / 34°
8 wet
Oct
56° / 26°
9 wet
Nov
40° / 16°
11 wet
Dec
28° / 7°
13 wet
Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Bedford 3 Se, WY, 27.9 mi away at 6,355 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.
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