Idaho · Hiking

Old Indian Trail

10.5 mi
round trip
2,430 ft
climb
7,725 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Jun–Sep
best months

Is Old Indian Trail open right now?

Alert in the area

The Forest Service lists an alert for Salmon-Challis National Forest.

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

Old Indian Trail is a 10.5-mile out-and-back route on natural surface in Idaho's Salmon-Cobalt Ranger District of the Salmon-Challis National Forest. Managed by the Forest Service, it climbs from a low point of about 6,000 feet to a high of roughly 7,725 feet, a total gain of 2,430 feet, and is rated a hard hike. Bikes are allowed, and the trail is not accessible. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical July averages from a nearby weather station run around 77°F for highs and 42°F for lows, though that station sits about 1,200 feet below the trail, so temperatures on the route run cooler. The station also sits at a similar elevation to the trail's high point. The trail stays open year-round. Deer Creek is about 2.6 miles away, and West Fork Iron Creek and Goodluck Meadows are both within about 3.4 miles. Iron Lake Campground is about 4.4 miles off.

  • Best time to go · Jun–Sep

    Best time to visit Old Indian Trail

    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

      28° / 8°

      6 wet

    2. Feb

      31° / 8°

      6 wet

    3. Mar

      39° / 16°

      8 wet

    4. Apr

      46° / 23°

      9 wet

    5. May

      57° / 31°

      10 wet

    6. Jun

      66° / 37°

      9 wet

    7. Jul

      77° / 42°

      6 wet

    8. Aug

      76° / 39°

      5 wet

    9. Sep

      66° / 32°

      4 wet

    10. Oct

      51° / 25°

      5 wet

    11. Nov

      36° / 14°

      7 wet

    12. Dec

      27° / 7°

      7 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Jackson, MT, 45.6 mi away at 6,480 ft. The station sits about 1,200 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.