Idaho · Hiking

Upper Hell Roaring

1.6 mi
round trip
39 ft
climb
7,209 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Jun–Aug
best months

Is Upper Hell Roaring open right now?

Alert in the area

The Forest Service lists 4 alerts for Sawtooth National Forest.

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

Upper Hell Roaring is an easy out-and-back hike of about 1.6 miles in the Sawtooth National Recreation Area, part of the Sawtooth National Forest in Idaho. The Forest Service manages the land, and the trail is a short, low-elevation outing, with a one-way climb of about 39 feet from a low point of 7,170 feet to a high of 7,209 feet. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Stanley show July and August highs around 80°F with lows in the upper 30s and only five or six wet days a month. That station sits about 700 feet lower than the trail, so temperatures on the route run a little cooler. Mays Creek is about a mile away, and the Hell Roaring hike is about 1.8 miles off. For an overnight stay, Pettit Lake Campground is about 2.9 miles away. Redfish Lake, about 6.8 miles away, offers lake fishing.

  • Best time to go · Jun–Aug

    Best time to visit Upper Hell Roaring

    Best months: June–August. 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° / 4°

      12 wet

    2. Feb

      35° / 7°

      12 wet

    3. Mar

      42° / 14°

      14 wet

    4. Apr

      49° / 21°

      12 wet

    5. May

      60° / 30°

      12 wet

    6. Jun

      69° / 35°

      10 wet

    7. Jul

      80° / 39°

      6 wet

    8. Aug

      80° / 37°

      5 wet

    9. Sep

      70° / 31°

      7 wet

    10. Oct

      55° / 24°

      9 wet

    11. Nov

      39° / 14°

      12 wet

    12. Dec

      28° / 6°

      14 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Stanley Rs, ID, 10.3 mi away at 6,495 ft. The station sits about 700 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.