Idaho · Hiking

White Pass

0.9 mi
round trip
444 ft
climb
7,520 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Sep
best months

Is White Pass 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.

White Pass is an easy out-and-back hike on natural surface in Idaho's Caribou-Targhee National Forest, within the Montpelier Ranger District. The trail is about 0.85 miles long and rises about 444 feet from a low point of 7,062 feet to a high of 7,520 feet, making it a short, low-elevation gain climb that works well for a quick outing or as a connector between other nearby routes. Bikes and horses are both allowed, so it suits a range of travelers. The Forest Service manages the land, and the trail is open year-round. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from the nearby Bern weather station run to highs around 85°F in July, though that station sits roughly 1,600 feet lower, so temperatures on the pass run cooler. Winter there is cold and snowy, with typical January highs near 29°F and lows around 7°F. The closest trails are Rt. Fk. Georgetown Canyon, about 0.6 miles away, and Dunns/Home Canyon at 1.8 miles. Hawks Roost lies 2.1 miles off, and Summit View Campground is about 5.4 miles away for an overnight stay.

Local outfitters

Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.

  • Best time to go · May–Sep

    Best time to visit White Pass

    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

      29° / 7°

      12 wet · 11 snow

    2. Feb

      32° / 9°

      11 wet · 9 snow

    3. Mar

      42° / 18°

      12 wet · 7 snow

    4. Apr

      53° / 27°

      12 wet · 3 snow

    5. May

      64° / 34°

      11 wet · 1 snow

    6. Jun

      75° / 40°

      8 wet

    7. Jul

      85° / 46°

      6 wet

    8. Aug

      84° / 45°

      6 wet

    9. Sep

      73° / 36°

      7 wet

    10. Oct

      59° / 27°

      8 wet · 2 snow

    11. Nov

      43° / 18°

      10 wet · 6 snow

    12. Dec

      30° / 9°

      12 wet · 10 snow

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Bern, ID, 11.7 mi away at 5,964 ft. The station sits about 1,600 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.