Lower Penstemon
Campground
Campground · 1.4 mi from the trail
Idaho · Hiking · Near Oakley
North Wahlstrom Loop
- 2.8 mi
- loop
- 663 ft
- climb
- 6,851 ft
- high point
- Loop
- route
- May–Jun, Sep
- best months
Is NORTH WAHLSTROM LOOP open right now?
Alert in the area
The Forest Service lists 4 alerts for Sawtooth National Forest.
Paradise Prescribed Burn Restricted Access
Agency alert covering Sawtooth National Forest · USFS · Sawtooth National Forest
Grandjean Area, Road, and Trail Closure
Agency alert covering Sawtooth National Forest · Order 0414-04-165 · USFS · Sawtooth National Forest
Over-Snow Vehicle and Bicycle Prohibitions
Agency alert covering Sawtooth National Forest · Order 0414-00-028 · USFS · Sawtooth National Forest
Occupancy and Use - Food Storage
Agency alert covering Sawtooth National Forest · Order 0414-04-143 · USFS · Sawtooth National Forest
As of · Source: USFS · Sawtooth National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.
North Wahlstrom Loop is an easy hike of about 2.8 miles in Idaho's Sawtooth National Forest, within the Minidoka Ranger District. The trail starts at roughly 6,825 feet and climbs to about 6,851 feet before descending to a low of about 6,479 feet, with a total elevation gain of 663 feet. The steepest stretch comes at about 1.6 miles in, where the grade reaches 16 percent. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Jackpot, Nevada, show July highs around 89°F with lows near 48°F, while September cools to highs around 77°F. That station sits well below the trail, so temperatures on the loop run cooler. The hike takes about 1.5 hours. Pike Mountain is less than a mile away, and Ross Falls (Interp. Trail) is about a mile off. For an overnight stay, Lower Penstemon and Upper Penstemon Campground are both within about 1.5 miles.
Around this trail
Add any of these when you start a tripSleep close If it rains Oakley Valley Historical Museum
Museum
In town
Places © OpenStreetMap contributors
More in OakleyLocal outfitters
- Village of Trees RV Resort41 mi away
Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.
Best time to go · May–Jun, Sep
Best time to visit NORTH WAHLSTROM LOOP
Best months: May–June and 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
39° / 12°
Feb
41° / 16°
Mar
50° / 22°
Apr
56° / 27°
May
66° / 34°
Jun
77° / 41°
Jul
89° / 48°
Aug
87° / 46°
Sep
77° / 37°
Oct
63° / 26°
Nov
48° / 19°
Dec
38° / 13°
Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Jackpot, NV, 25.5 mi away at 5,233 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.
Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive
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