Idaho · Hiking

Wallace Creek

4.2 mi
round trip
1,870 ft
climb
6,596 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Jun–Sep
best months

Is Wallace Creek open right now?

Alert in the area

The Forest Service lists an alert for Salmon-Challis National Forest.

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

Wallace Creek is a moderate out-and-back hike of about 4 miles in Idaho's Salmon-Cobalt Ranger District, part of the Salmon-Challis National Forest. It is managed by the Forest Service, and the route starts at a low point of about 5,800 feet, climbs to a high point of about 6,600 feet and returns, with a total elevation gain of roughly 1,870 feet over the course of the hike. The climb is steepest near the beginning, with a grade of about 24 percent at 0.35 miles in. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Jackson, Montana, put July highs around 77°F with lows near 42°F, and September brings the fewest wet days of the year, about four. The station sits at nearly the same elevation as the trail, so conditions on the hike should run close to these figures. The trail is open year-round, and the trip takes about 2.5 hours. Bikes are allowed on the natural-surface trail. For more to do, Salmon Idaho Bouldering is about 1.3 miles away, and Wallace Lake Campground and Morgan Bar Campground are both about 3 miles off. Comet Creek is a hike about 4 miles away.

  • Best time to go · Jun–Sep

    Best time to visit Wallace Creek

    Best months: June–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

      28° / 8°

      6 wet

    2. Feb

      31° / 8°

      6 wet

    3. Mar

      39° / 16°

      8 wet

    4. Apr

      46° / 23°

      9 wet

    5. May

      57° / 31°

      10 wet

    6. Jun

      66° / 37°

      9 wet

    7. Jul

      77° / 42°

      6 wet

    8. Aug

      76° / 39°

      5 wet

    9. Sep

      66° / 32°

      4 wet

    10. Oct

      51° / 25°

      5 wet

    11. Nov

      36° / 14°

      7 wet

    12. Dec

      27° / 7°

      7 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Jackson, MT, 27.6 mi away at 6,480 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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