Idaho · Hiking · Near Ketchum

South Boulder Loop

South Boulder LoopPhoto: DieselDemon, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)
2.3 mi
loop
249 ft
climb
6,617 ft
high point
Loop
route
May–Sep
best months

Is SOUTH BOULDER LOOP open right now?

Alert in the area

The Forest Service lists 4 alerts for Sawtooth National Forest.

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

South Boulder Loop is an easy 2.3-mile hike in Idaho's Sawtooth National Recreation Area, part of the Sawtooth National Forest. The trail is managed by the Forest Service and sits at about 6,600 feet, with a high point of 6,617 feet and a low of 6,452 feet. It's a low-effort outing, with a total elevation gain of about 250 feet and a steepest stretch of about 14% at mile 1.2. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. A nearby weather station at Ketchum, about 10 miles away, records typical July highs around 80°F with lows near 45°F. That station sits roughly 700 feet lower than the trail, so temperatures on the loop run slightly cooler. Winter brings frequent snow, with typical highs near 30°F in December and January. The hike takes about an hour. Easley Gulch Aka Curlies lies about 1.8 miles away, and Baker Creek is about 2.4 miles off. For an overnight stay, Wood River Campground is about 2.6 miles away. Climbers can head to Billy Goat Buttress, about 4 miles from the loop.

Around this trail

Add any of these when you start a trip
  • Sleep close

    Easley Campground

    Campground

    Campground · 1.5 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    The Sun Valley Club

    Restaurant

    On your way back · 10 mi
  • If it rains

    Sun Valley Museum of Art

    Museum

    In town

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors

More in Ketchum

Local outfitters

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

  • Best time to go · May–Sep

    Best time to visit SOUTH BOULDER LOOP

    Best months: May–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

      31° / 8°

      10 wet · 9 snow

    2. Feb

      35° / 11°

      9 wet · 7 snow

    3. Mar

      43° / 19°

      8 wet · 5 snow

    4. Apr

      52° / 27°

      7 wet · 2 snow

    5. May

      62° / 35°

      8 wet

    6. Jun

      70° / 40°

      7 wet

    7. Jul

      80° / 45°

      5 wet

    8. Aug

      79° / 43°

      4 wet

    9. Sep

      69° / 36°

      4 wet

    10. Oct

      56° / 28°

      5 wet · 1 snow

    11. Nov

      41° / 17°

      7 wet · 4 snow

    12. Dec

      30° / 9°

      10 wet · 9 snow

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Ketchum Rs, ID, 10 mi away at 5,890 ft. The station sits about 700 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive

Easley Gulch Aka CurliesPhoto: Matt Lavin, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

Easley Gulch Aka Curlies

~3 min drive

6.16-mile out-and-back trail in Idaho with 1,518 ft elevation gain.

SILVER CREEK LOOPPhoto: U.S. Forest Service employees, Public domain (via Wikimedia Commons)

SILVER CREEK LOOP

~5 min drive

15.1-mile out-and-back trail in Idaho with 3,909 ft elevation gain

NEWMAN CREEKPhoto: Matt Lavin, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

NEWMAN CREEK

~5 min drive

4.06-mile out-and-back trail in Idaho with 982 ft elevation gain and loss.

PRAIRIE CREEK LOOP SKIPhoto: Matt Lavin, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

PRAIRIE CREEK LOOP SKI

~9 min drive

7.7-mile out-and-back ski trail in Idaho with 818 ft elevation gain and loss.

BAKER CREEKPhoto: Fredlyfish4 at English Wikipedia, Public domain (via Wikimedia Commons)

BAKER CREEK

~4 min drive

18.98-mile out-and-back trail in Idaho with 1,665 ft elevation gain

HIKE

OSBERG RIDGELINE TRAIL

~6 min drive

22.56-mile out-and-back trail in Idaho with 6,112 ft elevation gain and 9,552 ft max elevation.

SOUTH LOOP SKIPhoto: Matt Lavin, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

SOUTH LOOP SKI

~8 min drive

2.09-mile loop ski trail in Idaho with 328 ft elevation gain

HIKE

Oregon-Fox Connector

~4 min drive

7.4-mile out-and-back trail in Idaho with 1,264 ft elevation gain.

HIKE

Alden Gulch

~7 min drive

5.70-mile out-and-back trail in Idaho with 1,793 ft gain.

HIKE

EAST FORK BAKER CREEK

~7 min drive

17.58-mile out-and-back trail in Idaho with 4,286 ft elevation gain.

Route details

Distance
2.3 mi
Climbing
About 249 ft
Summit
6,570 ft
Difficulty
Easy
Time
About 1 hour

Questions about this route

How long is the SOUTH BOULDER LOOP on Phantom Hill?

About 2.3 mi.

How much elevation gain is on the SOUTH BOULDER LOOP?

About 249 ft of climbing round trip.

How hard is the SOUTH BOULDER LOOP?

It is rated easy.

How long does the SOUTH BOULDER LOOP take?

About 1 hour round trip.

Conditions and forecast on Phantom Hill

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.