White Cloud Peak Loop Idaho

[Zack L]

I’m flying out to Idaho in a couple days to do the White cloud Peak Loop. I’m doing some last minute planning and looking for some help.

 

I’ve been using Stanley weather as my best forecast but does anyone have any resources for more accurate weather planning? I think there will be a fairly considerable temp drop from Stanley.

 

Does anyone know what the trail conditions are there this time of year? Do I need to bring microspikes or anything like that?

Thanks in advance!

[Josh Kuntz]

I was in this area in late September and all the trails were dry and only tiny amounts of snow clung to shaded spots on high peaks. There has only been minimal snow since then and plenty of warm weather so I expect all the snow has melted off the trails.  Using the Stanley weather forecast is your best bet.  You may find slightly colder temps in some of the higher elevation areas but nothing drastic. Regardless of the precipitation forecast for Stanley, I have experienced small bouts of rain or snow even when the Stanley forecast is less than 5% for precipitation.

I doubt you will need microspikes. However you will certainly have morning frost so if you hike early in the morning you may have some wet conditions.

One other note is that you should expect hunters in this area this time of year. Don’t be alarmed if you hear rifle shots. And consider wearing something bright.

 

Lastly, if you are interested in mushrooms then you might be in for a treat. Due to wet conditions earlier in the year, there is an abundance of mushrooms in this area this year compared to most years.

 

Have a great trip.

[Todd T]

I’ve been using Stanley weather as my best forecast but does anyone have any resources for more accurate weather planning?

The NOAA/NWS/whatever point forecasts (weather.gov) will let you zoom in on a particular spot to get a forecast adjusted to the location and elevation.  For example, here is one zoomed in to Stanley, ID; you’ll notice it’s for an elevation of about 6400 ft.  Drag the little map around and click on the the spot you’ll be hiking at (I like to choose roughly the highest spot I expect to camp at).

Edit:  Ignore the large-type “Pocatello, ID” at the top.  That’s just the nearest NWS weather station, not the location for which the forecast is given.  Idiotic web design.

[Zack L]

Thanks guys! Also I was planning on fishing, but this late in the season and at that elevation I wasn’t sure if the trout would even be biting? Any advise on fishing up there this late and if I do what they may be biting on?

[John “Jay” Menna]

We did the loop in August. Stunningly beautiful. Plenty of water.  We also track the weather using the Stanley ID data,  The rain hit us exactly when we expected.

[Brian Curtis]

Trout will definitely be biting. For the most part, I doubt they’ll be too fussy about what you are throwing at them.

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