Wells Summit
- 16.0 mi
- round trip
- 4,522 ft
- climb
- 7,095 ft
- high point
- Out and back
- route
- May–Sep
- best months
Is WELLS SUMMIT open right now?
Alert in the area
The Forest Service lists 4 alerts for Sawtooth National Forest.
Paradise Prescribed Burn Restricted Access
Agency alert covering Sawtooth National Forest · USFS · Sawtooth National Forest
Grandjean Area, Road, and Trail Closure
Agency alert covering Sawtooth National Forest · Order 0414-04-165 · USFS · Sawtooth National Forest
Over-Snow Vehicle and Bicycle Prohibitions
Agency alert covering Sawtooth National Forest · Order 0414-00-028 · USFS · Sawtooth National Forest
Occupancy and Use - Food Storage
Agency alert covering Sawtooth National Forest · Order 0414-04-143 · USFS · Sawtooth National Forest
As of · Source: USFS · Sawtooth National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.
Wells Summit is an out-and-back hike in Idaho's Sawtooth National Forest, within the Fairfield Ranger District. The route starts at about 5,770 feet and climbs to 7,095 feet, with a total gain of 4,522 feet over a round trip of about 32 miles. The climb is steady, and the steepest stretch comes at about 2.8 miles in, where the grade reaches 16 percent. The Forest Service manages the land. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Ketchum show July highs around 80°F with lows near 45°F, and snow is common from November through April. That station sits about 1,200 feet lower than the summit, so temperatures up high run cooler. The trip takes about 13 hours. Free Gold Creek Trail and Couch Summit are both within about 3 miles, and Pioneer Campground is about 4 miles away. Willow Creek, a canoeing spot, is roughly 9 miles off.
Local outfitters
- Camp Perkins34 mi away
Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.
Best time to go · May–Sep
Best time to visit WELLS SUMMIT
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.
Jan
31° / 8°
10 wet · 9 snow
Feb
35° / 11°
9 wet · 7 snow
Mar
43° / 19°
8 wet · 5 snow
Apr
52° / 27°
7 wet · 2 snow
May
62° / 35°
8 wet
Jun
70° / 40°
7 wet
Jul
80° / 45°
5 wet
Aug
79° / 43°
4 wet
Sep
69° / 36°
4 wet
Oct
56° / 28°
5 wet · 1 snow
Nov
41° / 17°
7 wet · 4 snow
Dec
30° / 9°
10 wet · 9 snow
Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Ketchum Rs, ID, 26.9 mi away at 5,890 ft. The station sits about 1,200 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.
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