Idaho · Hiking

Upper Salt Basin

1.3 mi
round trip
118 ft
climb
7,522 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Sep
best months

Is Upper Salt Basin 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 Salt Basin is an easy out-and-back hike in Idaho's Caribou-Targhee National Forest, within the Montpelier Ranger District. The trail is about 1.3 miles long, with a low point of 7,156 feet and a high of 7,522 feet, giving it a one-way gain of 118 feet. The Forest Service manages the land, and the route is natural-surfaced, so it works well for hikers, riders and horseback travelers. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. At a nearby weather station in Afton, Wyoming, typical July averages run to highs around 80°F and lows near 44°F, with only about six wet days that month. That station sits roughly 1,274 feet below the trail, so temperatures on the basin run a bit cooler. The trail stays open year-round, and several other routes start close by. Ephraim-Dry Creek and DIP Creek are both about 1.7 miles away, and Salt Basin is 1.9 miles off. For an overnight stay, Allred Flat Campground lies about 5.7 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 Salt Basin

    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

      26° / 5°

      12 wet

    2. Feb

      30° / 8°

      10 wet

    3. Mar

      40° / 16°

      10 wet

    4. Apr

      50° / 25°

      10 wet

    5. May

      60° / 33°

      11 wet

    6. Jun

      71° / 38°

      8 wet

    7. Jul

      80° / 44°

      6 wet

    8. Aug

      79° / 43°

      6 wet

    9. Sep

      69° / 34°

      7 wet

    10. Oct

      56° / 25°

      8 wet

    11. Nov

      39° / 16°

      10 wet

    12. Dec

      27° / 7°

      12 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Afton, WY, 20.9 mi away at 6,248 ft. The station sits about 1,300 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.