Idaho · Hiking

Upper

2.0 mi
round trip
3 ft
climb
5,544 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Sep
best months

Is Upper open right now?

Alert in the area

The Forest Service lists 5 alerts for Payette National Forest.

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

Upper is an easy hike in Idaho's Payette National Forest, within the McCall Ranger District, about 2 miles long with an elevation gain of about 3 feet. It is a short, low-effort route that starts and ends at the same point, so it makes an easy way to stretch your legs on a day spent exploring the surrounding area. The trail is on natural surface and open to both bikes and horses. It is not an accessible trail, so plan on using a vehicle or horseback to reach it. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. At a nearby weather station in McCall, typical July and August highs average about 81°F with lows in the mid-40s and only about five wet days a month. Winters are cold and snowy, with typical December highs around 30°F. The trail is open from May 1 to October 31, and the parking area is named West Face. The Blue Ridge Loop and Too Short mountain biking routes both sit about a tenth of a mile away. For camping, Last Chance is about 3.5 miles off, and Goose Creek offers canoeing about 4.8 miles away.

Local outfitters

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

  • Best time to go · May–Sep

    Best time to visit Upper

    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° / 13°

      14 wet · 11 snow

    2. Feb

      36° / 14°

      12 wet · 9 snow

    3. Mar

      43° / 20°

      13 wet · 7 snow

    4. Apr

      51° / 27°

      12 wet · 3 snow

    5. May

      61° / 35°

      12 wet · 1 snow

    6. Jun

      70° / 40°

      10 wet

    7. Jul

      81° / 45°

      5 wet

    8. Aug

      81° / 43°

      5 wet

    9. Sep

      72° / 36°

      6 wet

    10. Oct

      57° / 28°

      9 wet · 2 snow

    11. Nov

      40° / 21°

      13 wet · 7 snow

    12. Dec

      30° / 13°

      15 wet · 12 snow

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Mccall, ID, 4.6 mi away at 5,025 ft. The station sits about 500 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.