Idaho · Hiking

Spotted Louis

10.0 mi
round trip
2,503 ft
climb
5,504 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Jul–Sep
best months

Is Spotted Louis open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Idaho Panhandle National Forests. It doesn't name Spotted Louis, 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.

Spotted Louis is a hard hike in Idaho's Idaho Panhandle National Forests, on the St. Joe Ranger District. The trail is 10 miles long and is an out-and-back, with a high point of 5,504 feet and a low of 2,999 feet. The climb totals 2,503 feet of elevation gain. The trail is natural-surfaced and allows both bikes and horses. It is not an accessible trail, according to the Forest Service. The Forest Service manages the land, and the trail is open from June 1 to September 30. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at a similar elevation show July and August highs around 70°F with only about six wet days a month. Winter is much colder, with January highs near 28°F. Several other hikes start close by, including Stubtoe about a mile away and Brush Hill about 2 miles off. Steamboat Lake is about 4 miles away, and Mammoth Springs campground is about 5 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 Spotted Louis

    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, 28.7 mi away at 6,028 ft. The station sits about 500 ft higher than this place, so expect it a little warmer here. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.