Rattlesnake Alley
- 2.0 mi
- round trip
- 867 ft
- climb
- 5,971 ft
- high point
- Out and back
- route
- May–Jun, Aug–Oct
- best months
Rattlesnake Alley is an easy out-and-back hike on Bureau of Land Management land in the Challis Field Office in Idaho, about 2 miles long with a total elevation gain of 867 feet. The trail starts at roughly 5,950 feet and reaches a high point of about 5,970 feet, with the steepest stretch around 0.56 miles in at about 11%. The route is on natural surface, and the Bureau of Land Management allows both horses and bikes. That makes it a flexible option for riders and pack animals. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Challis show July highs around 87°F with lows near 52°F, while September cools to highs around 74°F. That station sits about 900 feet lower than the trail, so temperatures on the hike run cooler. Skull Valley and Shark's Tooth are both about 0.1 mile away, and Valley is about 0.2 mile away. For an overnight stay, Big Bayhorse Campground is about 9 miles off.
Local outfitters
- The Sawmill Station20 mi away
- Camp Perkins48 mi away
Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.
Best time to go · May–Jun, Aug–Oct
Best time to visit Rattlesnake Alley
Best months: May–June and August–October. 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
29° / 11°
7 wet
Feb
37° / 17°
5 wet
Mar
49° / 25°
7 wet
Apr
57° / 31°
7 wet
May
67° / 40°
9 wet
Jun
75° / 46°
7 wet
Jul
87° / 52°
5 wet
Aug
85° / 50°
5 wet
Sep
74° / 42°
5 wet
Oct
59° / 32°
5 wet
Nov
40° / 21°
6 wet
Dec
29° / 11°
7 wet
Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Challis Ap, ID, 3 mi away at 5,033 ft. The station sits about 900 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
HIKE
Skull Valley
Next door
Skull Valley is a 1.12-mile out-and-back trail in Idaho with 169 ft of elevation gain.
HIKE
John Henry
Next door
John Henry is a 4.20-mile out-and-back trail in Idaho with 746 ft of elevation gain.
HIKE
Lombard Trail
~8 min drive
17.72-mile out-and-back trail in Idaho with 4,766 ft elevation gain/loss.
HIKE
Garden Creek
~13 min drive
5.99-mile out-and-back trail in Idaho with 1,475 ft of elevation gain.
HIKE
Valley
Next door
0.58-mile out-and-back trail in Idaho with 705 ft elevation gain.
HIKE
Ebb and Flow
Next door
3.30-mile out-and-back trail in Idaho with 334 ft elevation gain.
HIKE
HAPPY HALLOW/JULIETTE CREEK
~13 min drive
15.7-mile out-and-back trail in Idaho with 4,397 ft elevation gain and loss.
HIKE
Beef Pasture-Bayhorse
~14 min drive
8.26-mile out-and-back trail in Idaho with 959 ft elevation gain.
HIKE
Mahogany
Next door
0.67-mile out-and-back trail in Idaho with 47 ft of elevation gain.
HIKE
Lower Blue View
~1 min drive
1.87-mile out-and-back trail in Idaho with 224 ft elevation gain.
