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Salmon-Challis National Forest

Best Hiking Trails in Salmon-Challis National Forest

126 reviews


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Overview

Salmon-Challis National Forest is a national forest in Idaho.


  • Hiking Trails (293)
  • Reviews (126)
  1. 1
    Goldbug Hot Springs Trail
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ EASY 1.8 mi
  2. 2
    Divide Trail
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ MODERATE 5.4 mi
  3. 3
    Boulder Creek
    ★ ★ ★ MODERATE 3.7 mi
  4. 4
    Marsh Creek Trail
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ EASY 4.3 mi
  5. 5
    Mckay-Eleven and Eleven Mile-Martin Creek
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ MODERATE 4.8 mi
  6. 6
    Eleven Mile-Martin Creek
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ MODERATE 6.1 mi
  7. 7
    Marten Lake via Trap Creek
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ EASY 3.8 mi
  8. 8
    East Fork Valley
    ★ ★ ★ EASY 1.3 mi
  9. 9
    Continental Divide Trail and Three Mile Ridge
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ DIFFICULT 10.8 mi
  10. 10
    Ramey-Fivemile
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ MODERATE 4.9 mi
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    FullCreek3220 10 months ago
    2025 ITA Kiwah Meadows Trail Maintenance
    Opened up Mule Hill Trail down to Kiwah Meadows, clearing 390 trees and doing tread work and restoring water bars. The water at Indian Creek was nice and cool for after work bathing.
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    Roger Sheehy 10 months ago
    Summit tallest mountain in Idaho. Mt Borah Check
    Sick! Down hill was a beast tho. The view was epic!
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    SlimKnoll2916 10 months, 2 weeks ago
    Sunday Afternoon Horseback Riding
    did
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    Judy Sommerfeld 1 year, 9 months ago
    Sheep
    . G a as weEE3 b
    ★ ★

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    Bob & Jerri 3 years, 8 months ago
    King Mountain loop
    Picturesque through the pass in the early part of the trail. Some spurs off to the left in the pines after the pass. Very dusty in the north part of the trail. Section of wooded area very thick and challenging to get through midpoint on the East side of the mountain. Open plans and gravel roads after that. It was a fun trail when we would rather between a three and four. Two challenging for beginners. Especially in the Eastern tree section.
    ★ ★ ★ ★

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    FaintExplore3753 3 years, 9 months ago
    Mt. Norah (8/20/22, 06:08:38)
    The hike is strenuous. 4 mile trail with a mile of elevation gain and almost no switchbacks. It effectively makes small zigzags straight to the top. Lots of loose rock, few markers, and the “Chicken Out Ridge” isn’t really too difficult as there are plenty of good holds. It was rewarding getting to the top, and I’m glad I did it. But I wouldn’t do it again. Also, not a kid-friendly hike. I’d probably use this for 12+ only.
    ★ ★

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    208samm 3 years, 10 months ago
    Dirt bike ride for some paddle. Boarding
    RZR and dirt bike ride with daughters, grandpa, uncle and cousins for some epic paddle boarding . Great time.
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    208samm 3 years, 10 months ago
    Devils Basin with Steve
    Epic ride. Charlie horses and the shakes afterwards. Great time
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    208samm 3 years, 10 months ago
    RZR Rode to fish with Jenn
    Love fishing with Jenna
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    Jesse Freese 3 years, 10 months ago
    Basin Creek
    Nice little route and campsite if you’re seeking a valley for fishing. I probably would not camp here due to the burn but later in the season, the fishing stream could be awesome. Might be good exploring up high.
    ★ ★ ★

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    MistyCliff2258 4 years, 3 months ago
    Soft Boiled
    T b mm mm a Z Be H a C l ICCU Y🫖🍚 83
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    Idaho Motorcycle Tours 4 years, 7 months ago
    Stanley Pinyon Loon Creek
    Great road trip loop. Road up to Pinyon Peak is narrow and steep on both sides.
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    BraveHarbor6006 4 years, 7 months ago
    Track (10/4/21, 11:26:41)
    Left Mackay for Pass Creek Road. Stopped for lunch in the canyon under the Aspens. Continued up Pass Creek and started turning left onto every trail. You’ll find the best scenery and trails on the dead end canyons. We came across two Moose and watched them for 30 minutes. They started up the canyon and past us within 20’…….Amazing!! Then on the way back to Pass Creek we came across 14 Elk.
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    BraveHarbor6006 4 years, 7 months ago
    Cooper Canyon Loop
    Another stunning ride from Mackay. Most of this ride is on gravel roads. Once in the Copper Canyon Basin we ventured down a few box canyons trail 508 is about 4 miles in and a little tight in places. We headed back to Mackay the way we came until trail 4200 which is listed as a 50” trail, it’s plenty wide for any SxS. The Aspens are fantastic in October so worth the ride.
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    BraveHarbor6006 4 years, 7 months ago
    Black Tail Canyon Loop
    This is a must ride if your in the area. The trails are easy lots of elevation changes and the views are stunning. We did run into a closed for the season 50” gate. Very dusty so we just spread way out.
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    EliteAspen5547 4 years, 11 months ago
    Bedstead West Peak 6/25/21
    Devil’s Bedside West is a great peak hike where you have a good trail to the base of the ridge line ascent. Beautiful wildflowers along the way with the sound of the creek and wonderful high-alpine vistas of the mountains on the hike up. At the top of the ridge there is a Class 2 scramble to the summit. You can drop down on the right-side of the ridge where it is less exposed. The final ascent is a straightforward hands and feet scramble to the top. Incredible views of Corral Creek and Wilson Creek drainages, Pioneers, Lost River Range and North. Found my first cluster of small crystals amongst the loose rocks on the upper section of the ridge. On the summit there is a Boulder with small inclusions of a blue-green iridescent mineral. Beautiful! Pete, Kim, Tif and me.
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    FairBinos9610 5 years, 8 months ago
    Rearing Stallion (9/16/20, 9:40:28AM)
    Excellent views of the surrounding peaks of the pioneers from the peak. As someone who does just a couple peaks a year, this was very doable and quite enjoyable. Two thirds of the hike was up scree field and the saddle/ridge was awesome. We saw a golden eagle and went for a dip in the upper lake.
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    Connor Limburg 5 years, 11 months ago
    Kane Lake Trail (5/26/20, 3:37:11PM)
    Hardest hike I’ve done for backpacking. Way too much snowpack for me in late May. Lost the trail and spent lots of time scrambling over rocks. The lake was frozen and the post hiking was difficult and extremely tiring. Beautiful area but the snow made this hard. Would come back and do it again in a month or so.
    ★ ★ ★

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    AiryCoast4473 7 years, 4 months ago
    One of the more difficult US State Highpoints that can be done in a single day. The trail is very steep at places, maxing out the dorsiflection of your feet if you're trying to stay off the balls of your feet to avoid calf cramping later in such a long hike. It could have done for more switchbacking, but that would've added to an already long day hike. Having two hiking poles was a big plus. The crux is the scrambling over rocks with heavy penalty for failure on both sides right before "Chicken-out Ridge". I found that ridge still covered in snow at mid July (2018), with a deep rut to walk through. From the ridge the remaining climb is the end; there is no false peak. The view is amazing for the entire hike! The parking lot 5,000+ feet below can be seen from much of the end of the hike. It is a popular hike so plenty of other people will be around. No food accommodations near the trailhead so you'd want to pack accordingly. There is space on the dirt road up to the trailhead where you can camp. I would recommend heading about 40 min north after the hike to stay at [Challis Hot Springs](https://challishotsprings.com/pools/).
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    CLARKE SHAW 3 months, 1 week ago
    Lost Trails day 2 2026
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    FaintTent8449 4 months, 2 weeks ago
    Wednesday Lunch Activity
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    SolidFlask3644 6 months, 3 weeks ago
    Ruffneck Peak via Langer Lake Trail
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    Wendy Zeigler 7 months, 3 weeks ago
    Birdbill Lake via Ship Island Trail
    ★

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    SharpTent1266 8 months, 2 weeks ago
    Friday Morning Activity
    ★ ★ ★ ★

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    EasyValley1922 8 months, 2 weeks ago
    Wednesday Morning Activity Ride towards Passcreek up trail 4094 to Black Tail canyon back to Pass Creek Road
    ★ ★ ★ ★

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    FaintTent8449 8 months, 2 weeks ago
    Saturday Morning Activity
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    AcuteTulip2933 9 months, 1 week ago
    Day 4 -Birdbill to Crags Camp
    ★

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    Carlos Morales 9 months, 1 week ago
    Saturday Morning Activity
    ★

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    HumidSpruce9084 9 months, 1 week ago
    Friday Morning Offroading
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    Steve Kirby 9 months, 2 weeks ago
    Meyer Cove
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    SpryWild7047 9 months, 3 weeks ago
    Headed out
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    SpryWild7047 9 months, 3 weeks ago
    Sunday
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    SpryWild7047 9 months, 3 weeks ago
    8 lakes
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    SpeedyBasin9271 10 months, 1 week ago
    kane lake n beyond
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    ssgustafson 10 months, 1 week ago
    Borah Pk 18 July 2025
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    Heidi 10 months, 3 weeks ago
    Saturday Lunch Activity
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    esalle 11 months ago
    Slag-a-melt Lakes via cdt
    ★ ★ ★

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    Steve Kirby 11 months, 2 weeks ago
    Sunday Lunch Activity
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    FullCreek8236 11 months, 3 weeks ago
    Big Hat Creek
    ★

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    SlowWatch2874 1 year, 1 month ago
    Kane Lake
    ★

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    Ryan Smith 1 year, 1 month ago
    Lost river super Gully
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    Gretel Friedman 1 year, 3 months ago
    Banner Summit, Copper, Spooky Trees, Mc Rib, Lunch Counter
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    HollisNGnjyV 1 year, 5 months ago
    Marsh Creek Trail
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    Nicholas 1 year, 6 months ago
    Salmon-Challis National Forest Hike
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    Chantelle 1 year, 7 months ago
    Borah Peak Loop via Birch Springs Road
    ★

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    kennethmcaffee 1 year, 8 months ago
    Saturday Lunch Activity
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    Beata Churchill 1 year, 8 months ago
    Sunday Morning Activity
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    ronalderow 1 year, 8 months ago
    North Fork Spur 1
    ★

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    Alex Poltash 1 year, 9 months ago
    Betty lake on the Jarvis trail
    ★ ★ ★ ★

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    Brooks Bodily 1 year, 9 months ago
    Grit 3 Segment 1 w/Jake
    ★ ★

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    MildFish2360 1 year, 9 months ago
    Hike to Bear Creek Lake
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    cousinscareercoach 1 year, 10 months ago
    Ascent towards Mt Borah
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    mtnear1 1 year, 10 months ago
    Standhope and Altair
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    SunnyFish3293 1 year, 10 months ago
    Left fork fall creek/ highline
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    Alison Kinsler 2 years, 2 months ago
    Track (3/11/24, 10:53:38AM)
    ★

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    TallGale8549 2 years, 4 months ago
    Dead Water Picnic Area via Salmon River Road
    ★

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    YoungRappel7335 2 years, 4 months ago
    Track (2/28/23, 12:26:42PM)
    ★ ★ ★ ★

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    FlashyExplore1745 2 years, 7 months ago
    Mill Creek Lake via Mill Creek Trail
    ★ ★ ★

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    GrandLily7805 2 years, 8 months ago
    Borah Peak
    ★ ★ ★ ★

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    philipctZe4Ah 2 years, 8 months ago
    Waterfall Trail ID
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    David Strickland 2 years, 9 months ago
    National Forest Development Road 008
    ★

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    NobleCoast2801 2 years, 9 months ago
    Borah Peak Loop via Birch Springs Road
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    David Crawford 2 years, 9 months ago
    moose lake descent
    ★ ★ ★ ★

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    Laurie Leman 2 years, 9 months ago
    Kane Lake
    ★ ★ ★ ★

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    Wade96 2 years, 9 months ago
    Upper fall creek trail: runners route
    ★ ★ ★

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    Brian Friedt 2 years, 10 months ago
    Track (7/24/23, 9:24:59AM)
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    VastYogaMat4142 2 years, 11 months ago
    Salmon nat forest near bighorn crags (6/22/22, 9:05:31AM)
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    TinyExplore2874 2 years, 11 months ago
    Panther - horsecreek Track (6/16/23, 14:09:18)
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    Derek Percoski 3 years, 1 month ago
    Snowboard 11967
    ★ ★ ★

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    BumpyJuniper5660 3 years, 4 months ago
    Brockie lake 2022
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    Todd Cleland 3 years, 5 months ago
    Beaverhead 100K.gpx
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    FreeBluff4550 3 years, 7 months ago
    Challis Dredge Ride
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    BraveRose9009 3 years, 7 months ago
    Borah 9/2622
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    KeenYoga4444 3 years, 8 months ago
    Baptie Lake Loop via Broad Canyon Trail #061
    ★

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    jv2crewchief 3 years, 8 months ago
    Track (9/2/22, 12:30:12PM)
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    MistyLaurel5473 3 years, 8 months ago
    Borah Peak Loop via Birch Springs Road
    ★

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    FitSummit2307 3 years, 9 months ago
    Track (8/21/22, 9:10:07AM)
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    HugeBeach2248 3 years, 9 months ago
    Mackay 1708
    ★

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    Courtney Frost 3 years, 9 months ago
    BigHorn Crags 7/28/22 10:22:03 AM
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    EasyElm4762 3 years, 9 months ago
    Track (7/29/22, 11:21:00AM)
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    QuietPond5249 3 years, 11 months ago
    Big Fall Creek Lake via Big Fall Creek Road
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    amsmarie 4 years ago
    MT JORDAN
    ★

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    VastFish6841 4 years, 1 month ago
    Dagger Falls via Marsh Creek Trail and Middle Fork Trail
    ★

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    Bret De Young 4 years, 3 months ago
    Southern Bitterroot Ridgeline Yurt
    ★ ★ ★ ★

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    Glen Allison 4 years, 3 months ago
    Copper mtn
    ★ ★

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    Courtney Frost 4 years, 3 months ago
    Track 2021-10-20 Bike Granite Mon
    ★ ★ ★

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    HotWood5785 4 years, 5 months ago
    Super Gully Lost River Peak
    ★

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    ben512k 4 years, 6 months ago
    Borah Peak
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    Tom Iselin 4 years, 8 months ago
    Moose Lake - Copper Basin
    ★ ★ ★ ★

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    Frederick Allington 4 years, 8 months ago
    Fall Creek Recreation Site to Moose Lake, Custer County, ID, USA
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    Steve Wurz 4 years, 8 months ago
    Track (7/1/21, 10:22:16AM)
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    TameHelmet1774 4 years, 9 months ago
    Track (8/10/21, 9:40:48AM)
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    BoldWind4557 4 years, 9 months ago
    Collie lake
    ★ ★ ★ ★

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    SlickZipline6669 4 years, 9 months ago
    Leatherman Peak
    ★

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    FrostyJetboil2557 4 years, 9 months ago
    Track (8/10/21, 10:36:21AM)
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    FastBasin7026 4 years, 10 months ago
    Baptie Lake via Broad Canyon Trail #061
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    aT69Bctq 4 years, 10 months ago
    Borah
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    MistyBamboo5029 4 years, 10 months ago
    Borah Peak Loop via Birch Springs Road
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    NeatMap7229 4 years, 11 months ago
    To upper pahmaseroi west
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    Derek Percoski 4 years, 11 months ago
    Rosencrances
    ★ ★ ★ ★

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    Danielfleming 4 years, 11 months ago
    Church!! Sick!!
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    Chad Hooker 4 years, 11 months ago
    Stanley Camping to Mt Borrah (5/29/21, 1:09:21PM
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    Cori Mooney 5 years ago
    Summit Creek Trail (9/26/20, 7:30:47AM)
    ★ ★

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    HugeCaving5112 5 years, 1 month ago
    Breitenbach attempt
    ★ ★ ★ ★

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    StrongCaving7093 5 years, 6 months ago
    James Gillespie and Guy
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    MildLeaf8627 5 years, 6 months ago
    Sawtooth Trail 126. West Fork Trail
    ★ ★ ★ ★

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    David Madden 5 years, 6 months ago
    Track (10/4/20, 10:37:18AM)
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    David Parker 5 years, 7 months ago
    Bear valley road to warm lake
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    fullmermx 5 years, 8 months ago
    Matt’s Bane
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    DawnThunder9362 5 years, 8 months ago
    Track (8/30/20, 7:45:04AM)
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    StrongHaven3263 5 years, 9 months ago
    Mt. Borah
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    TinySwamp9526 5 years, 9 months ago
    HIKE-mt-church.kml_Untitled Path
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    Kurt Kuhl 5 years, 9 months ago
    Forest Rd 10
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    Mark Bolton 5 years, 9 months ago
    D6 2019 TID
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    SillyRiver8356 5 years, 9 months ago
    Custer motorway
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    FaintCaving7726 5 years, 10 months ago
    Borah Peak Loop via Birch Springs Road
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    Todd Judice 5 years, 10 months ago
    Track (7/4/20, 08:48:7)
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    Matthew Bailey 5 years, 10 months ago
    Borah Peak Loop via Birch Springs Road
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    Tf6AVZul 5 years, 10 months ago
    Little Kane Creek to saddle
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    BumpyJuniper5660 5 years, 10 months ago
    Boulder Lake
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    Todd Judice 5 years, 10 months ago
    Track (6/14/20, 9:16:54AM)
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    Marshall Peterson 6 years, 8 months ago
    Track (9/15/19, 14:25:16)
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    RareShovel7495 6 years, 8 months ago
    Bozeman.Madison.Seger 9/18/19
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    Tom Bowman 6 years, 9 months ago
    Track (8/3/19, 8:28:38AM)
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    chasebloom 6 years, 11 months ago
    Road to horse creek hot springs 6/17/19,
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    Danielle Lundgren 7 years ago
    Wild West Route Seg 3 - Darby MT to Haley ID SoBo
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