ID/UT/WY?

[Shawn Bearden]

This time of year is the most frustrating for my wife and I. Most of our favorite places (Sawtooths, White Clouds, Lemhis) are all still heavily under snow (7,000-11,000 feet) but spring has sprung at our elevation (~5,000 ft). None of our favorite trips are very doable for us until June. Any recommendations for 3-4 day loop trips within ~5hrs drive from southeast Idaho that aren't still buried? Some snow patches and crossings are okay.

[David Chenault]

Craters of the Moon. Might be getting a bit warm and dry by now.

Hells Canyon.

A bit off the radar, but there ought to be some good hiking loops to be done down near City of Rocks.

[Shawn Bearden]

Thanks! I find craters a bit redundant. Want to do Seven Devil's Loop but the ranger station tells me it's buried and roads to trailheads are still closed. City of Rocks was what we came up with too; have been there once; seems like most of the real scenery is at the rocks which can be covered in a solid day if I recall correctly – maybe we'll give it a go anyway…

[Steve S]

there are some good day hiking routes around the City, but beware of the private property issues. Much of the land is private. That said, you could try and move up in elevation just to see how far up Cache Peak you could go…. Otherwise, you might think about coming across into the Bruneau Desert, and check out parts of the desert around Jarbidge, staying low. Even down into the Bruneau Canyon or some of the fringe areas will reap rewards. The area right along the NV border is wicked cool….

[David Chenault]

IMO if you haven't hiked well off trail in Craters you haven't hiked there at all. In any case you'd have to carry all your water this late in spring.

The Cleveland Bar road is open year round, and the trails inside Hells are great. Bring a boat to ford the river both ways, leave it on the other side, and do a loop north along the river and back at mid-level. Elk, huge ponderosas, big views.

The Bruneau country looks really interesting, never been there myself.

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