Mink Creek Group Site Campground
Campground
Campground · 1.3 mi from the trail
Idaho · Hiking · Near American Falls
Upper Crystal
- 3.5 mi
- round trip
- 755 ft
- climb
- 6,455 ft
- high point
- Out and back
- route
- May–Jun, Sep
- best months
Is Upper Crystal open right now?
No closures listed
The Forest Service lists no closures for Caribou-Targhee National Forest.
As of · Source: USFS · Caribou-Targhee National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.
Upper Crystal is a moderate out-and-back hike of about 3.5 miles in the Westside Ranger District of Idaho's Caribou-Targhee National Forest, managed by the Forest Service. The trail rises from about 5,664 feet to about 6,455 feet, with a one-way gain of 755 feet. The route is natural-surface and open to both horses and bikes. It is not an accessible trail. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Pocatello show July highs around 89°F with lows near 57°F, while winter brings highs in the mid-30s and regular snow days from November through March. That station sits well below the trail, so temperatures on the route run cooler. West Mink Rna starts just 0.1 mile away, and Slate Mountain West and the Elk Meadows Loop are both within about a mile and a half. Mink Creek Group Site Campground is about 1.3 miles off.
Around this trail
Add any of these when you start a tripSleep close Eat after If it rains Bannock County Historical Museum
Museum
Museum · 7.4 mi from American Falls
Places © OpenStreetMap contributors
More in American FallsBest time to go · May–Jun, Sep
Best time to visit Upper Crystal
Best months: May–June and 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.
Jan
36° / 20°
13 wet · 11 snow
Feb
41° / 22°
10 wet · 8 snow
Mar
51° / 29°
10 wet · 6 snow
Apr
58° / 34°
10 wet · 4 snow
May
68° / 42°
10 wet · 1 snow
Jun
78° / 49°
7 wet
Jul
89° / 57°
5 wet
Aug
88° / 56°
5 wet
Sep
77° / 48°
6 wet
Oct
62° / 37°
7 wet · 2 snow
Nov
46° / 27°
9 wet · 6 snow
Dec
35° / 20°
13 wet · 11 snow
Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Pocatello 2 Ne, ID, 10.8 mi away at 4,832 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.
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