Idaho · Hiking

Upper Grand

2.1 mi
round trip
372 ft
climb
6,647 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Jun, Aug–Oct
best months

Upper Grand is an easy out-and-back hike on Bureau of Land Management land in Idaho's Challis Field Office, about 2 miles from the town of Challis. The trail rises from a low point of 6,272 feet to a high of 6,647 feet, with a total elevation gain of about 370 feet over a round trip of roughly 4 miles. The route is natural-surfaced and open to both horses and bikes, so it works for riders and pack animals as well as hikers. The trail is short and gentle, making it a straightforward outing for anyone looking to spend a few hours on foot or saddle in the Challis area. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Challis show July highs around 87°F with lows near 52°F, while winter highs stay in the upper 20s. That station sits well below the trail, so temperatures on the route run cooler. Several other trails start close by. Elk Meadow Trail and Lower Grand are each about 0.3 miles away, and Lower Buzzard, a mountain biking route, is a similar distance. For an overnight stay, Big Bayhorse Campground is about 8.6 miles off.

Local outfitters

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

  • Best time to go · May–Jun, Aug–Oct

    Best time to visit Upper Grand

    Best months: May–June and August–October. 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° / 11°

      7 wet

    2. Feb

      37° / 17°

      5 wet

    3. Mar

      49° / 25°

      7 wet

    4. Apr

      57° / 31°

      7 wet

    5. May

      67° / 40°

      9 wet

    6. Jun

      75° / 46°

      7 wet

    7. Jul

      87° / 52°

      5 wet

    8. Aug

      85° / 50°

      5 wet

    9. Sep

      74° / 42°

      5 wet

    10. Oct

      59° / 32°

      5 wet

    11. Nov

      40° / 21°

      6 wet

    12. Dec

      29° / 11°

      7 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Challis Ap, ID, 3.7 mi away at 5,033 ft. The station sits about 1,600 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.