Idaho · Hiking

Russell Creek

7.8 mi
round trip
6,030 ft
climb
8,562 ft
high point
Out and back
route

Caution at last check

Agency alerts are in effect for this area; weather is good · USFS, OpenWeather · checked 14 h ago

Is Russell Creek open right now?

No closures listed

The Forest Service lists no closures for Caribou-Targhee National Forest.

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

Russell Creek is a hard hike in Idaho's Caribou-Targhee National Forest, within the Palisades Ranger District. The trail is an out-and-back that starts at about 8,550 feet and climbs to a high point of 8,562 feet, with a total elevation gain of 6,030 feet over the course of the trip. The steepest stretch comes at about 1.4 miles in, where the grade reaches 46 percent. The route is 7.8 miles long and is open year-round. It is a natural-surface trail, and both horses and bikes are allowed. The estimated time for the hike is about 5.5 hours. For an overnight base, Calamity campground sits about 3.5 miles away, and Riverside Park Campground and Day Use Area is about 4.2 miles off. Red Ridge Repeater and North Fork Bear Creek are both about 2.5 miles from the trail.

Local outfitters

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