Mike Harris
Campground
Campground · 0.5 mi from the trail
Idaho · Hiking · Near Jackson
Mikesell Canyon
Photo: 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 tripSleep close Eat after If it rains Flat Creek Overlook
Viewpoint
In town
Places © OpenStreetMap contributors
More in JacksonLocal outfitters
- The Virginian RV Park15 mi away
- Greys River Cove27 mi away
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.
Jan
24° / 1°
14 wet · 14 snow
Feb
30° / 4°
12 wet · 11 snow
Mar
39° / 12°
12 wet · 9 snow
Apr
46° / 21°
12 wet · 6 snow
May
56° / 31°
12 wet · 2 snow
Jun
67° / 37°
10 wet
Jul
77° / 42°
8 wet
Aug
76° / 40°
8 wet
Sep
66° / 34°
8 wet
Oct
51° / 25°
9 wet · 3 snow
Nov
35° / 14°
12 wet · 9 snow
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.
Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive
Photo: Matt Lavin, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)Campground
Next door
0.84-mile loop trail in Idaho with 61 ft elevation gain.
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Yeti's Loop
~1 min drive
2.54-mile loop in Idaho with 278 ft gain.
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Lady Slipper
~3 min drive
6.73-mile out-and-back trail in Idaho with 235 ft elevation gain.
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MIKESELL CANYON SPUR
~3 min drive
1.38-mile out-and-back trail in Idaho with 421 ft elevation gain and loss.
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Happy Hour
~2 min drive
4.09-mile out-and-back trail in Wyoming with 126 ft gain.
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Taylor Mountain
~3 min drive
13.39-mile out-and-back trail at Taylor Mountain in Wyoming with 2,287 ft of elevation gain.
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Game Creek Trail
~4 min drive
1.36-mile out-and-back trail in Wyoming with 393 ft elevation gain
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Grumpy's Loop
~3 min drive
3.67-mile out-and-back trail in Idaho with 278 ft gain.
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Moose Creek
~3 min drive
15.43-mile out-and-back trail in Wyoming with 2,062 ft gain.
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N. GAME CREEK
~6 min drive
2.0-mile out-and-back trail at 7,352 ft elevation in Wyoming.
