Trail Report - Hells Canyon Idaho

This trail report provides the known conditions for the main summer recreation trails in the Hells Canyon National Recreation Area (HCNRA) in Idaho. The report includes trails found in the HCNRA in Idaho along the Snake River, in the uplands and in the Hells Canyon Wilderness (Seven Devils area).

A 'maintained' trail has been reviewed by a district recreation manager, the known hazards (e.g. rock slides, broken trees and branches) have been removed and annual maintenance tasks have been completed.

  • Any User Reports under “Conditions/Notes” in the following tables are not validated by Forest Service personnel; however information is shared for the benefit of all users.

  • Hazards and changing weather conditions may occur at any time so always be prepared for unplanned events. Typical conditions may include downed trees, high-water crossings, water and rock slides on trails, late spring or early fall snow storms on roads and trails.

Please refer to the 'Trail Map' (162 KB) and 'Trails Rules'  (59 KB) for the trails located in the HCNRA in Idaho.

Idaho wilderness motorized vehicles and mechanical equipment prohibitions in Hells Canyon Wilderness. Portions of the trails shown below may be partially in the wilderness.

Please be advised that late spring and early fall snow levels are ever changing and that roads and trails may be covered with snow. Contact your local Ranger District for the most current information on roads and trails.

 

Hells Canyon Wilderness - Seven Devils area

           

Trail Name Miles Trail Access
 
Maintained      
 Conditions
Seven Devils Loop 26.7 Windy Saddle Trailhead Partial

REPORT 7/14/2022

Trail 124 maintained to Trail 129 jct.

*expect to encounter winter blowdown
Dry Diggins Loop 5.0 Windy Saddle Trailhead on going  
Sheep Lake Trail #123 4.0 Windy Saddle Trailhead
NO
 7/7/2022 Trailhead snowfree; expect to encounter winter blowdown
Cannon Lakes #126   0.7 Windy Saddle Trailhead   
NO
 7/7/2022 Trailhead snowfree; expect to encounter winter blowdown

Hells Canyon National Recreation Trails (NRT) 

Trail Name      

 Miles Trail Access

Maintained  

 Conditions
Heavens Gate NRT #73 0.4 Heavens Gate Trailhead
YES

REPORT 7/14/2022

Toilet closed for maintenance
Snake River NRT #102    26.6 Snake River Trailhead     

YES
6/10/2022 Kirkwood Creek stock bridge closed due to unsafe conditions.

Northend Hells Canyon Wilderness

Trail Name Miles Trail Access       Maintained     Conditions/Notes
 Sheep Creek #53 11.5  Windy Saddle Trailhead
YES

REPORT 7/20/2022

Lots of “winter blowdown in upper reaches; not passable for livestock”

7/14/2022 OPEN
 Boise Trail North #101B  11.2  Heavens Gate Trailhead
NO
  
 Stormy Point #108  4.8  Low Saddle Trailhead
NO
  
Old Timer #110  3.7  Heavens Gate Trailhead  
NO
  

Southend Hells Canyon Wilderness

Trail Name Miles Trail Access       Maintained     Conditions/Notes
Black Lake/Horse Heaven #214 9 Black Lake Campground
NO

 
Six Lakes Basin #218 4.7 Black Lake Campground
NO

 
Horse Pasture Basin #173 4.0 Deep Creek Trailhead
NO
  
Deep Creek #219 4.0 Deep Creek Trailhead
NO
  
Casey Mountain #216 8.0 Black Lake Campground

NO 

  

 West Fork Rapid River Trails

Trail Name Miles Trail Access Maintained Conditions/Notes
West Fork Rapid River #113 13.5  Rapid River Trailhead
ongoing at this time

 
 Ruth Lake #321 0.7  Windy Saddle Trailhead
NO

 
 Debs Corral #192  2.0  Windy Saddle Trailhead
NO

 
 Rankin Mill #191  2.0  Windy Saddle Trailhead
NO

 
 Carbonate Hill #189 4.0  Black Lake Campground
NO

 

 Hells Canyon Rim to Snake River

Advisory: Rattlesnakes are frequently seen along these trails from the mid-spring to late fall. Use care when hiking or camping near poison ivy patches.

Trail Name Miles Trail Access Maintained Conditions
Little Granite Creek #112 6.0 Windy Saddle Trailhead
NO
  
Devils Farm #114 9.0 Windy Saddle or Black Lake Campground
NO
 very poor trail
Bernard Creek #58  8.0 Windy Saddle Trailhead
NO

 
 Sheep Creek #53  11.5 Windy Saddle Trailhead
NO