Idaho · Rock climbing · Arco

Pass Creek Canyon

Pass Creek Canyon in Idaho has 10 climbing routes with 8 difficulty grades.

10 routes
5.6 – 5.12+
Alpine

Is Pass Creek Canyon 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.

Best time to visit Pass Creek Canyon

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

    30° / 8°

    6 wet

  2. Feb

    34° / 12°

    5 wet

  3. Mar

    44° / 22°

    6 wet

  4. Apr

    54° / 29°

    6 wet

  5. May

    65° / 37°

    8 wet

  6. Jun

    73° / 43°

    7 wet

  7. Jul

    83° / 50°

    5 wet

  8. Aug

    82° / 48°

    5 wet

  9. Sep

    72° / 40°

    5 wet

  10. Oct

    58° / 31°

    5 wet

  11. Nov

    41° / 19°

    6 wet

  12. Dec

    29° / 10°

    7 wet

Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Mackay Lost Rvr Rs, ID, 8.9 mi away at 5,897 ft. The station sits about 600 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.

Pass Creek Canyon is a climbing area in Idaho's Salmon-Challis National Forest, within the Lost River Ranger District. The Forest Service manages the land, and the canyon sits about 0.2 miles from the Pass Creek Narrows Camping Area & Picnic Site, making it an easy pairing for a base camp. The climbing here is alpine, with 10 routes spread across the canyon. Grades run from 5.6 up to 5.12+, with the median around 5.10b. Among the named routes are Hornet at 5.6, Little Tickler at 5.10b and Short and Savage at 5.12+. Summer is the most comfortable time to visit. Typical averages from a nearby weather station show July highs around 83°F with lows near 50°F, while winter highs stay in the 20s and 30s. Other options close by include the Blacktail/Mud Lake hike about 1.6 miles away and the Mud Lake Canyon Trail at 2 miles. Paddlers can head to Pass Creek, about 1.4 miles off, and the Big Lost River is roughly 6 miles away.

Routes (10)