Idaho · Hiking · Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness

Wapiti

8.6 mi
round trip
1,891 ft
climb
6,716 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Jun–Aug
best months

Is Wapiti open right now?

Alert in the area

The Forest Service lists 5 alerts for Payette National Forest.

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

Wapiti is a hard hike in Idaho's Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness, on the Krassel Ranger District of the Payette National Forest. The trail is an out-and-back of about 8.6 miles, with a total elevation gain of 1,891 feet, taking you from a low point of about 4,884 feet to a high of about 6,716 feet. The Forest Service manages the land, and the route is on natural surface with no designated bike access. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Dixie put July and August highs around 76°F with lows in the upper 30s, while winter highs stay near freezing. The trail is open year-round, and McCalla Creek, a canoeing spot, lies about half a mile away. Within a few miles you'll also find the McCoy Cutoff and Whimstick Creek hikes, and Chamberlain Basin campground is about 7 miles off.

  • Best time to go · Jun–Aug

    Best time to visit Wapiti

    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

      31° / 5°

    2. Feb

      33° / 8°

    3. Mar

      38° / 13°

    4. Apr

      46° / 20°

    5. May

      57° / 28°

    6. Jun

      64° / 35°

    7. Jul

      76° / 39°

    8. Aug

      76° / 36°

    9. Sep

      65° / 31°

    10. Oct

      52° / 24°

    11. Nov

      36° / 14°

    12. Dec

      28° / 5°

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Dixie N, ID, 24.2 mi away at 5,740 ft. The station sits about 1,000 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.