Idaho · Hiking · Near Jackson

Mikesell Canyon

Mikesell CanyonPhoto: Matt Lavin, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)
5.7 mi
round trip
1,800 ft
climb
8,400 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Jun–Sep
best months

Is Mikesell 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.

Mikesell Canyon is a moderate out-and-back hike in Idaho's Caribou-Targhee National Forest, within the Teton Basin Ranger District. The trail runs about 5.7 miles, with a total elevation gain of 1,800 feet, taking you from a low point of about 6,600 feet to a high of about 8,400 feet. The Forest Service manages the land, and the route is natural-surfaced, with horses and bikes allowed. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station show July highs around 77°F and lows near 42°F, with no snow days. That station sits about 1,600 feet lower than the trail's high point, so temperatures up top run cooler. The trail starts close to Mike Harris Campground and Mike Harris, both within half a mile. Yeti's Loop is about 0.6 miles away, and Trail Creek, across the Wyoming line, is about 1.4 miles off.

Around this trail

Add any of these when you start a trip
  • Sleep close

    Mike Harris

    Campground

    Campground · 0.5 mi from the trail
  • If it rains

    Flat Creek Overlook

    Viewpoint

    In town

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors

More in Jackson

Local outfitters

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

  • Best time to go · Jun–Sep

    Best time to visit Mikesell Canyon

    Best months: June–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

      24° / 1°

      14 wet · 14 snow

    2. Feb

      30° / 4°

      12 wet · 11 snow

    3. Mar

      39° / 12°

      12 wet · 9 snow

    4. Apr

      46° / 21°

      12 wet · 6 snow

    5. May

      56° / 31°

      12 wet · 2 snow

    6. Jun

      67° / 37°

      10 wet

    7. Jul

      77° / 42°

      8 wet

    8. Aug

      76° / 40°

      8 wet

    9. Sep

      66° / 34°

      8 wet

    10. Oct

      51° / 25°

      9 wet · 3 snow

    11. Nov

      35° / 14°

      12 wet · 9 snow

    12. Dec

      24° / 4°

      15 wet · 14 snow

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Moran 5wnw, WY, 31.7 mi away at 6,805 ft. The station sits about 1,600 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.