Idaho · Hiking

Wildcat

2.3 mi
round trip
909 ft
climb
7,061 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Oct
best months

Is Wildcat 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.

Wildcat is an easy out-and-back hike in Idaho's Caribou-Targhee National Forest, within the Montpelier Ranger District. The trail is about 2.3 miles long, with a one-way elevation gain of 909 feet, taking you from a low point of about 6,085 feet to a high of about 7,061 feet. The Forest Service manages the land, and the trail is open year-round. The route is natural-surfaced and allows both horses and bikes, so it works for riders and pack animals as well as hikers. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station show July highs around 81°F with lows near 51°F, and the station sits roughly 1,100 feet lower than the trail's high point, so temperatures on the summit run cooler. Nearby, the Shoshone Indian Trail lies about 1.6 miles away and the Cub River Trail Alt A about 2.1 miles. Willow Flat Campground is about 2.4 miles off, and the Cub River offers canoeing about 9 miles away.

Local outfitters

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

  • Best time to go · May–Oct

    Best time to visit Wildcat

    Best months: May–October. 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° / 8°

      8 wet · 5 snow

    2. Feb

      31° / 8°

      8 wet · 5 snow

    3. Mar

      40° / 18°

      9 wet · 3 snow

    4. Apr

      50° / 29°

      9 wet · 1 snow

    5. May

      61° / 38°

      10 wet

    6. Jun

      71° / 45°

      6 wet

    7. Jul

      81° / 51°

      4 wet

    8. Aug

      80° / 48°

      5 wet

    9. Sep

      70° / 39°

      6 wet

    10. Oct

      56° / 30°

      7 wet · 1 snow

    11. Nov

      41° / 20°

      8 wet · 3 snow

    12. Dec

      30° / 10°

      8 wet · 5 snow

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Lifton Pumping Stn, ID, 17.8 mi away at 5,935 ft. The station sits about 1,100 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.