Idaho · Hiking · Near Ketchum

Mine Shaft

1.1 mi
round trip
536 ft
climb
8,079 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Jun–Aug
best months

Is Mine Shaft open right now?

Alert in the area

The Forest Service lists 4 alerts for Sawtooth National Forest.

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

Mine Shaft is an easy, short hike of about a mile in the Sawtooth National Recreation Area, part of the Sawtooth National Forest in Idaho. The route is out and back, with a total climb of about 536 feet, and the high point reaches 8,079 feet. The trail is on natural surface and bikes are allowed, so it works for hikers and mountain bikers alike. The most comfortable months to visit are July and August, when typical highs reach about 80°F with lows near 39°F, according to averages from a nearby weather station at Stanley. That station sits about 1,600 feet lower than the trail, so temperatures on the hike run cooler. The trip takes about half a day. The closest neighbors are the Spring Creek Trail and the Rip and Tear hike, both about 0.4 miles away. A little farther out are the Chemeketan Campground and the Salmon River, each about 6 miles away.

Around this trail

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

    Prairie Campground

    Campground

    Campground · 5.5 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    The Sun Valley Club

    Restaurant

    On your way back · 20 mi
  • If it rains

    Sun Valley Museum of Art

    Museum

    In town

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors

More in Ketchum

Local outfitters

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

  • Best time to go · Jun–Aug

    Best time to visit Mine Shaft

    Best months: June–August. 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° / 4°

      12 wet

    2. Feb

      35° / 7°

      12 wet

    3. Mar

      42° / 14°

      14 wet

    4. Apr

      49° / 21°

      12 wet

    5. May

      60° / 30°

      12 wet

    6. Jun

      69° / 35°

      10 wet

    7. Jul

      80° / 39°

      6 wet

    8. Aug

      80° / 37°

      5 wet

    9. Sep

      70° / 31°

      7 wet

    10. Oct

      55° / 24°

      9 wet

    11. Nov

      39° / 14°

      12 wet

    12. Dec

      28° / 6°

      14 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Stanley Rs, ID, 24 mi away at 6,495 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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