Cecil D. Andrus-White Clouds Wilderness

The White Clouds Wilderness was designated in 2015. In 2018, it was renamed the Cecil D. Andrus-White Clouds Wilderness in honor of Andrus, who served twice as Governor of Idaho and as the U.S. Secretary of Interior from 1977-1981.

The wilderness area is situated along the Salmon River adjacent to the Salmon River Mountains in the Salmon-Challis National Forest and north of the Hemingway-Boulders and the Jim McClure-Jerry Peak wilderness areas.

The Cecil D. Andrus-White Clouds Wilderness is recognized for its combination of sub-alpine lakes, abundant creeks, hiking trails and the limestone and metamorphic silicates, which give the mountain peaks its striking white appearance. There are numerous spectacular mountain peaks, including Prospect Point, Robinson Bar Peak, Lookout Mountain, Watson Peak, O'Calkens Peak, David O. Lee Peak, Merriam Peak, Castle Peak and Blackman Peak. Many of these peaks are over 10,000 feet in elevation.

The Cecil D. Andrus-White Clouds Wilderness offers fishing in the dozens of clear sub-alpine lakes, including the Big Boulder Lakes and Boulder Chain Lakes. The area is also host to many beautiful creeks, including Blind Creek, Elk Creek, Warm Springs Creek, Beaver Creek, Germania Creek, Little Boulder Creek, Chamberlain Creek, and Bear Lake Creek.

The hiking season is short. Alpine wildflowers dot the landscape with color in the months of July and August. This wilderness area also offers opportunities for viewing the scenery, plants and wildlife.

Cecil D. Andrus-White Clouds Wilderness Map

Sawtooth National Recreation Area Map with Wilderness Boundaries

Active Alerts

Hemingway-Boulders and Cecil D. Andrus-White Clouds Wilderness Areas - Occupancy and Use

General Information

Permits are not required for parties, but users must sign-in when entering the Cecil D. Andrus-White Cloud at trailheads listed on the Cecil. D Andrus-White Clouds Wilderness Map. Groups may not exceed 12 people and 14 head of stock, excluding pack goats which may not exceed nine total. If you have wilderness area questions, please call the Sawtooth National Recreation Area at (208) 727-5000 or the Stanley Ranger Station at (208) 774-3000.

Motorized vehicles and bicycles are not allowed in any designated wilderness areas.

Before entering the Cecil D. Andrus-White Clouds Wilderness, visitors should familiarize themselves with Rules and Regulations, which summarize the details of the Occupancy and Use Order posted under Alerts.