Idaho · Hiking

South Canyon

5.6 mi
round trip
1,678 ft
climb
7,577 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Sep
best months

Clear at last check

Weather is good · OpenWeather · checked 18 h ago

South Canyon is a moderate hike in Idaho's Forest Service lands, about 1.5 miles from the community of Mink Creek. The route is an out-and-back of roughly 5.6 miles, with a one-way climb of about 1,678 feet from a low point near 5,860 feet to a high of about 7,577 feet. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Bern, Idaho, show July highs around 85°F with lows near 46°F, and June and September are milder, with highs in the mid-70s. That station sits well below the trail, so temperatures on the ridge run cooler. The trail is natural-surface and allows both horses and bikes. South Canyon Powerline lies just 0.3 miles away, and Peterson Spring and Graham Hollow are each within about 1.6 miles. For an overnight stay, Redpoint Campground is about 3.4 miles off.

  • Best time to go · May–Sep

    Best time to visit South Canyon

    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

      29° / 7°

      12 wet · 11 snow

    2. Feb

      32° / 9°

      11 wet · 9 snow

    3. Mar

      42° / 18°

      12 wet · 7 snow

    4. Apr

      53° / 27°

      12 wet · 3 snow

    5. May

      64° / 34°

      11 wet · 1 snow

    6. Jun

      75° / 40°

      8 wet

    7. Jul

      85° / 46°

      6 wet

    8. Aug

      84° / 45°

      6 wet

    9. Sep

      73° / 36°

      7 wet

    10. Oct

      59° / 27°

      8 wet · 2 snow

    11. Nov

      43° / 18°

      10 wet · 6 snow

    12. Dec

      30° / 9°

      12 wet · 10 snow

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Bern, ID, 18.4 mi away at 5,964 ft. The station sits about 1,600 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.