Idaho · Hiking

South Nez Perce Indian

2.8 mi
round trip
2,298 ft
climb
7,519 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Jun–Sep
best months

Is South Nez Perce Indian 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.

South Nez Perce Indian is a moderate out-and-back hike in Idaho's Salmon-Challis National Forest, within the North Fork Ranger District. The trail is about 2.8 miles long, with a total elevation gain of 2,298 feet, and it reaches a high point of 7,519 feet. The route starts at a low of about 6,395 feet, and the steepest stretch comes at about 0.8 miles in, where the grade reaches 35 percent. The trail is open year-round, and the trip takes about two hours. The Forest Service manages the land, and the route is natural-surface, with horses and bikes both allowed. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Jackson, Montana, show July highs around 77°F with lows near 42°F, and the station sits about 1,000 feet lower than the trail's high point, so temperatures on the ridge run cooler. Nearby hikes include Butcher Knife Ridge and East Indian Peak, both about 1.8 miles away, and Grizzly Spring at 1.9 miles. For paddling, the North Fork Salmon River is about 6 miles off.

  • Best time to go · Jun–Sep

    Best time to visit South Nez Perce Indian

    Best months: June–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° / 8°

      6 wet

    2. Feb

      31° / 8°

      6 wet

    3. Mar

      39° / 16°

      8 wet

    4. Apr

      46° / 23°

      9 wet

    5. May

      57° / 31°

      10 wet

    6. Jun

      66° / 37°

      9 wet

    7. Jul

      77° / 42°

      6 wet

    8. Aug

      76° / 39°

      5 wet

    9. Sep

      66° / 32°

      4 wet

    10. Oct

      51° / 25°

      5 wet

    11. Nov

      36° / 14°

      7 wet

    12. Dec

      27° / 7°

      7 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Jackson, MT, 35 mi away at 6,480 ft. The station sits about 1,000 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.