Idaho · Hiking

Snow Peak

9.3 mi
round trip
1,489 ft
climb
6,752 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Jul–Sep
best months

Is Snow Peak open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Idaho Panhandle National Forests. It doesn't name Snow Peak, so check the source for the area it covers (4 listed).

As of · Source: USFS · Idaho Panhandle National Forests. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Snow Peak is a hard hike in the St. Joe Ranger District of the Idaho Panhandle National Forests, managed by the Forest Service. The route is an out-and-back of about 9.3 miles, with a one-way elevation gain of 1,489 feet, taking you from a low point of about 5,480 feet to a high of about 6,752 feet. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Mullan Pass, which sits a few hundred feet lower than the peak, show July and August highs around 70°F with only about six wet days a month. Winter is cold and wet, with January highs near 28°F and lows around 19°F. The trail is open from June 1 to September 30, and the parking area is named Snow Peak. Bikes and horses are allowed, and the trail is not accessible. Buck Creek and Lightning Ridge are both about 0.8 miles away. Mammoth Springs campground is about 3 miles off, and Peggy Peak is about 4.1 miles away.

Local outfitters

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

  • Best time to go · Jul–Sep

    Best time to visit Snow Peak

    Best months: July–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.

    1. Jan

      28° / 19°

      19 wet

    2. Feb

      28° / 19°

      17 wet

    3. Mar

      34° / 22°

      19 wet

    4. Apr

      40° / 27°

      17 wet

    5. May

      50° / 36°

      15 wet

    6. Jun

      58° / 42°

      13 wet

    7. Jul

      70° / 52°

      6 wet

    8. Aug

      69° / 51°

      6 wet

    9. Sep

      59° / 44°

      8 wet

    10. Oct

      44° / 32°

      13 wet

    11. Nov

      32° / 23°

      17 wet

    12. Dec

      27° / 18°

      18 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Mullan Pass Vor/Dme, ID, 26.3 mi away at 6,028 ft. The station sits about 700 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.

Route details

Distance
9.3 mi round trip
Climbing
About 1,489 ft
Starts at
SNOW PEAK (about 5,900 ft)
Summit
6,759 ft
Difficulty
Hard

Getting there

Park at SNOW PEAK.

Questions about this route

How long is the Snow Peak on Snow Peak?

About 9.3 mi round trip from SNOW PEAK (about 5,900 ft).

How much elevation gain is on the Snow Peak?

About 1,489 ft of climbing round trip.

How hard is the Snow Peak?

It is rated hard.

Where does the Snow Peak start?

SNOW PEAK (about 5,900 ft).

Conditions and forecast on Snow Peak

Daily highs and lows, wind and the chance of precipitation at the summit and route start for the next 7 days, from the Open-Meteo model.