Bighorn Crags

Description

Bighorn Crags Lollipop, Bighorn Crags Trailhead

- 28 miles, 7,100 ft climbing

- Salmon-Challis Nat'l Forest, Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness, North Fork Ranger District

- Bighorn Crags Trail #6021, Ship Island Trail #6030, off-trail travel, Puddin Mountain Trail #6147, Waterfall Trail #6045, Bighorn Crags Trail

- The trailhead is reached by a rough dirt road that requires high clearance. A Subaru or similar vehicle should be fine. From Salmon, expect a washboarded and winding drive of about 2.5 hours; from Challis, the road is smoother and the drive is about 2 hours. The final 11 miles can take nearly an hour.

This route crosses two off-trail passes. The first is a short Class 3 climb over a ridge; the second is a straightforward walk-up. The loop passes at least nine lakes. Reaching the trailhead requires a long drive, especially over the rough final 11 miles, but the Bighorn Crags are renowned as one of Idaho's most scenic areas. This was the route author's favorite route of 2020.