Polar Express
- 3.8 mi
- round trip
- 137 ft
- climb
- 5,492 ft
- high point
- Out and back
- route
- May–Sep
- best months
Is Polar Express open right now?
Alert in the area
The Forest Service lists 5 alerts for Payette National Forest.
Over Snow Vehicle Closure
Agency alert covering Payette National Forest · Order 0412-638 · USFS · Payette National Forest
Brundage Mountain Resort Snowcat Route Closure
Agency alert covering Payette National Forest · Order 0412-637 · USFS · Payette National Forest
Lost Valley Log Hauling
Agency alert covering Payette National Forest · USFS · Payette National Forest
Granite Mountain Over Snow Vehicle Closure
Agency alert covering Payette National Forest · Order 0412-635 · USFS · Payette National Forest
Gordon Titus Upper Elevation Parking Lot Winter Restrictions
Agency alert covering Payette National Forest · Order 0412-543 · USFS · Payette National Forest
As of · Source: USFS · Payette National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.
Polar Express is a 3.8-mile out-and-back hike in the McCall Ranger District of Payette National Forest in Idaho, managed by the Forest Service. The trail rises about 137 feet from a low point of 5,374 feet to a high of 5,492 feet, and it is rated moderate. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in McCall show July and August highs around 81°F with only about five wet days a month, while winter brings highs near 30°F and regular snow days. The trail is natural-surface and bikes are allowed, but it is not an accessible route. Sleepy Hollow Trail and the Sleepy Hollow hike both start about 0.1 mile away. Last Chance campground is about 3.7 miles off, and Goose Creek offers canoeing about 5 miles away.
Local outfitters
- Black Bear RV Park5 mi away
- Arrowhead RV Park30 mi away
Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.
Best time to go · May–Sep
Best time to visit Polar Express
Best months: May–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
31° / 13°
14 wet · 11 snow
Feb
36° / 14°
12 wet · 9 snow
Mar
43° / 20°
13 wet · 7 snow
Apr
51° / 27°
12 wet · 3 snow
May
61° / 35°
12 wet · 1 snow
Jun
70° / 40°
10 wet
Jul
81° / 45°
5 wet
Aug
81° / 43°
5 wet
Sep
72° / 36°
6 wet
Oct
57° / 28°
9 wet · 2 snow
Nov
40° / 21°
13 wet · 7 snow
Dec
30° / 13°
15 wet · 12 snow
Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Mccall, ID, 4.4 mi away at 5,025 ft. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.
Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive
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Six Mile Creek
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Goose Creek Trail
~12 min drive
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Rising Sun
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