Idaho · Hiking

Skull Valley

1.1 mi
round trip
407 ft
climb
5,928 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Jun, Aug–Oct
best months

Skull Valley is an easy hike on Bureau of Land Management land in the Challis Field Office of Idaho, about 1.1 miles long with a total climb of 407 feet. The route is an out-and-back that starts and ends near 5,912 feet, with a high point of 5,928 feet and a low of 5,789 feet. The steepest stretch comes at about 0.39 miles in, with a grade of about 9 percent. The trail is on natural surface, and the Bureau of Land Management allows both horses and bikes. That makes it a practical choice for riders and equestrians as well as hikers. 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 winter highs stay near 29°F. That station sits about 900 feet lower than the trail, so temperatures on the hike run cooler. Several other routes start within a tenth of a mile, including Rattlesnake Alley and the Shark's Tooth mountain biking trail. For fishing, the Challis-Yankee Fork Ranger District is about 1.7 miles away, and Big Bayhorse Campground is about 9 miles off.

Local outfitters

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

  • Best time to go · May–Jun, Aug–Oct

    Best time to visit Skull Valley

    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.

    1. Jan

      29° / 11°

      7 wet

    2. Feb

      37° / 17°

      5 wet

    3. Mar

      49° / 25°

      7 wet

    4. Apr

      57° / 31°

      7 wet

    5. May

      67° / 40°

      9 wet

    6. Jun

      75° / 46°

      7 wet

    7. Jul

      87° / 52°

      5 wet

    8. Aug

      85° / 50°

      5 wet

    9. Sep

      74° / 42°

      5 wet

    10. Oct

      59° / 32°

      5 wet

    11. Nov

      40° / 21°

      6 wet

    12. Dec

      29° / 11°

      7 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Challis Ap, ID, 2.9 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.