East Fork North Fork of the Big Wood River
Take the road less traveled and see Idaho's wildlife on this difficult hike.
- Location: Boulder-White Clouds
- Status: Proposed Wilderness
- Distance: 7 miles round trip
- Elevation: 1,460 ft
- Difficulty: Expert
- Maps: Sawtooth National Forest, SNRA, Ketchum & Fairfield District; USGS Amber Lakes, Rock Roll Canyon
- More information: Trails of the Sawtooth and White Cloud Mountains by Margaret Fuller
At the beginning of this trail, you will walk through grassy slopes and areas covered in Douglas fir. You will also walk through an open area where many animal prints can be seen. At 1.3 miles the trail climbs up an open hillside. It reaches a snow bank at 1.9 miles. You will have to ford a side creek at this point.
Continue walking along the trail as it goes through a forest. At about 2.5 miles, the trail becomes harder to find in the thick timber and ends after it crosses two small side creeks. At 3.5 miles there is a fork in the canyon that gives a view of a mountain peak. At the end of the trail you can continue cross-country to a trail connecting Trail Creek to the West Fork of Trail Creek. Follow along this trail if you would like to.
Directions
From the Sawooth National Recreation Area (located 7.4 miles north of Ketchum), drive on North Fork Big Wood River Road. Turn right on the side road for the East Fork trail. When the road branches, drive down the one that is farthest right. This will curve around a steep hill and intersects two branches of the road. Go left on the more well-worn road to reach the trailhead. See directions from North Fork of the Big Wood River if needed.
