Idaho · Hiking · Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness

Silver Moon

5.6 mi
round trip
44 ft
climb
7,768 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Jul–Aug
best months

Is Silver Moon 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.

Silver Moon is a moderate out-and-back hike in Idaho's Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness, on the Middle Fork Ranger District of the Salmon-Challis National Forest. The trail is managed by the Forest Service and runs about 5.6 miles, with a total elevation gain of 44 feet. The route starts at a low point of 5,812 feet and climbs to a high of 7,768 feet. The trail is natural-surfaced and allows horses, and bikes are not permitted. It is open year-round, and the nearest town is Stanley, about 30 miles away. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Stanley show July highs around 80°F with lows near 34°F, and temperatures on the trail run cooler than those figures because the station sits about 1,500 feet lower. Mountain Meadows is the closest nearby hike, about a mile away. Camptender and W Fk Elk Creek are each about 4.3 miles off. Boundary Creek Campground Complex is about 4.9 miles away.

Local outfitters

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

  • Best time to go · Jul–Aug

    Best time to visit Silver Moon

    Best months: July–August. 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

      26° / -3°

    2. Feb

      33° / -1°

    3. Mar

      43° / 9°

    4. Apr

      50° / 18°

    5. May

      60° / 26°

    6. Jun

      69° / 31°

    7. Jul

      80° / 34°

    8. Aug

      79° / 32°

    9. Sep

      70° / 25°

    10. Oct

      56° / 19°

    11. Nov

      38° / 10°

    12. Dec

      25° / -2°

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Stanley, ID, 30 mi away at 6,249 ft. The station sits about 1,500 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.