The Idaho Centennial Path is without doubt one of the most distant long-distance trails within the US. Hikers who sort out this route must be self-reliant, versatile, and decided. These with the grit to finish this path are rewarded with dramatic modifications in surroundings and a way of accomplishment on the finish.
Fast Details
- Distance: 996 miles
- Days Wanted: 6-9 weeks
- Peak Elevation: 9,170 ft at Willow Creek Summit
- Low Elevation: 1,900 ft alongside the Selway River
- Permits: None
- Issue: Very Troublesome
Highlights
- Solitude
- Ample wildlife
- Countless prospects for alternate routes
- Each mountains and desert in a shorter thru-hike
- Climbing alongside the Salmon, Selway, and Snake rivers is a singular expertise
- Darkish evening skies for stargazing
- Unbelievable ridge views
Lowlights
- Mosquitoes
- Many miles usually are not maintained, which makes for gradual progress
- Lack of expertise on circumstances
- Logistics are tough at instances
- Meals have to be flown into the Selway and Frank
- Lengthy water carries or caches are essential within the Owyhee
- Time zone modifications might be complicated on the State Line Path and the Salmon River
Greatest Time to Hike
Like many mountainous and northern latitude thru-hikes, the Idaho Centennial Path (ICT) is greatest tackled in the summertime when the excessive peaks are freed from snow. In contrast to extra standard routes, such because the Colorado Path or Lengthy Path, a part of this thru-hike is within the desert, which might make timing a bit more difficult.
Many thru-hikers try to finish the desert portion by mid-June, which can also be when the Sawtooths turn into satisfactory. Heading southbound, the Owynee can nonetheless be fairly scorching by means of August. On the finish of the day, some compromise will seemingly be wanted, and hikers will both have to plan for sections, hope for favorable climate, or simply take care of the circumstances by utilizing applicable gear.
Issue of Path
Although it’s named the Idaho Centennial “Path”, in actuality, the ICT is extra of a route or path idea. Most of the trails are overgrown or non-existent. The distant nature of central Idaho results in lengthy distances between resupplies, and the circumstances are fairly rugged at instances. Potential hikers must be versatile and have the mandatory abilities to sort out this route safely.
For all of those causes, outlined in additional element beneath, it’s considerably tougher than any of the Triple Crown trails or different standard thru-hikes.
ROUTE FINDING
In contrast to extra standard thru-hikes, the Idaho Centennial Path isn’t a completely blazed route. There’s not a FarOut app or a selected map set for this path. As an alternative, hikers might want to buy their very own paper maps for the quadrants that embody the paths the ICT makes use of, obtain a GPX file to a GPS app similar to GAIA GPS, or a mixture of each. Whereas there are some ICT markers within the Owhyee desert, most path junctions usually are not marked. Hikers want to concentrate to the place they’re going, perceive find out how to learn the panorama, and be capable to make navigation selections each single day.
The opposite route-finding piece that’s totally different from different long-distance hikes is the standard of the paths. There are a lot of locations the place the paths the ICT follows haven’t been cleared or maintained for a while. That is very true within the Selway-Bitterroot and Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness areas. The paths are brushy with many downed timber, and the path tread could not even exist in some locations. These circumstances are gradual to hike in when resupplies are already few and much between. Many thru-hikers select to reroute to roads or better-maintained trails when wanted.
REMOTENESS
One of many unimaginable options of the ICT is how far some sections are from the closest city. This additionally implies that hikers must be far more self-reliant and actually perceive their limitations to remain secure. Many sections would require a number of hours of hitchhiking on grime roads to succeed in the closest city. A lot of these cities are extremely small and wouldn’t have many facilities to assist out a hiker.
Whereas the complete route is far more distant than a typical thru-hike, two sections actually stand out. The Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness and Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness are massive swaths of protected land which are adjoining to one another. Collectively, they make up an enormous space in central Idaho that’s distant from any city of any measurement. For reference, it’s regular to hike virtually 300 miles with out resupplying in any cities on this part. Hikers typically have to have their meals flown into Forest Service guard stations or delivered to personal landowners with an airstrip on their property. There are bailout factors and reroute choices, however even these roads are typically removed from any cities.
One other part to plan for is the Owyhee Desert between the Nevada border and I-84. The route right here primarily follows double tracks and grime roads. It’s attainable to discover a journey by mountaineering out to the principle grime street to the east, however the nature of mountaineering in a waterless desert makes this part critical. It might take nicely over one to 2 hours to get assist by automobile in some areas, so care is required to remain secure.
WATER ACCESS & SUN EXPOSURE
Except for essentially the most northern part of the path, which is technically a part of the Pacific Northwest, a lot of the path is arid and dry. There are lengthy waterless sections on the 100-mile State Line Path along with the Owyhee Desert. Most water carries max out at about 20 miles on the State Line part, although it may be scorching in the summertime. Within the Owyhee desert, most hikers cache water as in any other case there’s a 30+ mile and a 55-mile lengthy stretch with out easy accessibility to water. A 4×4 automobile or grime bike is required to cache water on this part.
The warmth can even present an enormous problem throughout a thru-hike. Temperatures within the Owyhee and on the Columbia Plateau can attain into the higher 90s even in late August. There’s little shade, simply occasional swaths of sagebrush. Most hikers attempt to sort out this part in early June when it’s barely cooler. Some even will hike this space earlier within the season, then end the remainder of the path in the summertime. Temperatures will also be within the 80s within the northern components of the state. The elevation alongside the Salmon River is kind of low, and there are a lot of burn areas that may warmth up shortly. With correct planning and good warmth tolerance, these sections are nonetheless pleasurable.
LIMITED OUTSIDE RESOURCES
Although the ICT was first established in 1990, few individuals have efficiently accomplished end-to-end thru-hikes. Whereas it’s onerous to search out precise estimates on the variety of completers, it’s secure to say that even with its current progress in recognition, only some individuals full it annually. Many individuals do sort out sections, significantly native Idahoans, however because of the decrease degree of curiosity on this path, there are fewer planning assets and on-trail help. There’s a Fb web page devoted to the ICT the place these curious concerning the path can get their questions answered, and a guidebook was launched in 2023. Idaho State Parks and Recreation can even assist to reply questions and has some planning assets on their web site, together with overview maps and a few fundamental planning info.
Potential hikers ought to notice there may be not a longtime path tradition or help community for thru-hikers. Whereas individuals in Idaho are typically pleasant and hitchhiking isn’t a difficulty, any path magic will probably be spontaneous from people who find themselves genuinely involved about your well-being as a consequence of not figuring out a lot concerning the route. Don’t look forward to finding hiker reductions, water caches, or hostels whereas mountaineering the ICT.
WILDFIRES
Whereas a lot of the West is vulnerable to wildfires, they will shortly derail an Idaho Centennial Path hike. Central Idaho, specifically, is vulnerable to devastating wildfires because of the decrease elevations and arid local weather alongside the rivers. As soon as a hearth begins, they’re tough to battle because of the distant nature of the realm and rugged terrain.
Nevertheless, fires can begin just about anyplace alongside the path. It’s good to be diligent when mountaineering and look ahead to smoke. Carrying a satellite tv for pc messaging machine is useful to get updates on the standing of fireside circumstances when mountaineering within the Selway and Frank wilderness areas. Be ready to reroute if essential with the intention to keep away from fireplace closures.
NORTHBOUND VS. SOUTHBOUND
As with all long-distance hike, these seeking to thru-hike have to plan correctly for the time and funds essential to finish a 1,000-mile path.
Although most skilled thru-hikers and Idahoans suggest mountaineering the ICT NOBO, relying on the yr, SOBO is perhaps a greater choice. Typically talking, fires and snowpack are the principle causes for selecting a NOBO thru-hike. By mountaineering the desert first, thru-hikers can decide an earlier begin date. An earlier begin date interprets to ending the path earlier within the fireplace season.
The draw back is that the Sawtooths should be lined in snow by the point most hikers get there. We hiked the ICT southbound and had been lucky to solely encounter two fires and no snow. Nevertheless, this isn’t usually the norm, and our expertise within the Owyhee was a lot hotter in consequence.
Getting There
Each the northern and southern termini are pretty distant and might take a while to succeed in.
SOUTHERN TERMINUS
The southern terminus of the ICT is situated on the Idaho-Nevada border about two miles east of Murphy Sizzling Springs, ID. Murphy Sizzling Springs is a small unincorporated group situated on the Bruneau River, and each the group and terminus are roughly three and a half hours from Boise. There are a lot of miles of grime street to drive on the best way, and hitchhiking to this terminus could be tough. Most thru-hikers organize a shuttle with household, buddies, or by posting on the ICT Fb group.
NORTHERN TERMINUS
The ICT formally ends at American Falls, which is a couple of half mile south of the Canadian border within the panhandle. There’s a trailhead with a bear field about eight miles from the falls, however the drive to the trailhead is lengthy. In complete, the drive from the trailhead to Spokane is about three hours. Just like the southern terminus, most hikers organize a shuttle by means of household, buddies, and path angels. We had success hitchhiking, however it may be powerful to hitchhike round Spokane.
-Planning Your Itinerary (any useful resource suggestions, i.e., apps, web sites, books, in addition to a selected itinerary define if there are consensus greatest campsites or greatest routes)
Sources are restricted in comparison with different long-distance hikes, however can be found with sufficient looking! The Idaho Division of Parks and Recreation web site is a good place to begin for normal info and planning. We’ve additionally discovered the Idaho Centennial Path Updates and Data group on Fb to be fairly useful. There are different web sites with helpful info that may be discovered with sufficient digging, together with a web page that outlines the place to ship packages for the distant wilderness sections. A brand new guidebook was revealed in 2023 and is obtainable on Amazon and at REI.
As for maps, there isn’t a FarOut app for this path. A GPS app similar to GAIA, OnX, or CalTopo is a good suggestion because of the terrain. Idaho Parks and Rec has a GPX file that may be downloaded from their web site and uploaded into your navigation app of selection. Paper maps are additionally a good suggestion on this route, no less than as a backup. The Nationwide Geographic Sawtooth Wilderness Map and the Cairn Cartographics Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness Maps are waterproof and supply good element. The Benchmark Street & Recreation Atlases present an excellent, large-scale overview at an inexpensive worth and are additionally helpful for caching meals or water.
Wildlife
A variety of wildlife is discovered throughout Idaho because of the range of terrain and elevation. Hikers must be ready to come across Grizzly Bears, Black Bears, Wolves, Mountain Lions, Moose, Deer, Elk, Coyotes, Rattlesnakes, and so forth. Grizzly Bears are much less widespread in Idaho than in neighboring Canada or Glacier Nationwide Park, however it’s nonetheless recommended to take precautions by carrying bear spray and storing meals correctly from the Sawtooths north to the terminus.
We had been shocked on the variety of rattlesnakes – they’re quite common alongside the Selway and Salmon rivers because of the decrease elevations in these areas. In fact, they are often discovered within the Owyhee Desert as nicely. Most different animals generally encountered are skittish or are bored with people when given correct house.
Mosquitoes are the principle bug concern in Idaho. There are some locations the place they’re fairly aggressive, however many locations the place there are few, if any. Typically, picaridin lotion or a completely enclosed tent will probably be sufficient to remain sane. We didn’t discover any issues with ticks on this hike, although there could also be extra of them in June. Probably the most fascinating bug present in Idaho is the Mormon Cricket, which can expertise inhabitants booms or surges. Throughout these surges, they are often present in nice numbers within the Owyhee Desert, protecting the bottom and changing into a hazard for drivers and cyclists alike.
The place to Resupply
Probably the most distinctive facets of an ICT thru-hike is having meals flown into the backcountry touchdown strips within the Frank Church and Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness Areas. As a result of the path by means of these sections is so distant and lengthy, most thru-hikers will need to have their meals flown in. There are a number of Guard Stations run by the Forest Service that can settle for and maintain packages, in addition to some personal landowners who’re supportive of ICT thru-hikers.
The USA Postal Service contracts with native pilots to ship mail to those distant touchdown strips. Which means for many places, it’s comparatively inexpensive to ship a resupply field. Simply mail your package deal by means of your native submit workplace and pay the common package deal price.
That stated, permission from the landowners is required earlier than any bins might be despatched. When permission is granted, the airstrip homeowners will present the suitable mailing deal with. We additionally counsel contacting Smith Air for extra info, as they ship the packages on this space or can direct you to a greater useful resource.
Resupply choices are restricted on the ICT, so pre-planning no less than half, if not all, resupplies will probably be essential. Most of the cities alongside the Idaho Centennial Path have submit workplaces that can maintain normal supply packages. Most postal employees are even accustomed to hikers. Particular consideration is required to resupply within the Selway-Bitterroot and Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness areas. Listed below are a few of the widespread resupply places to contemplate, although not each hiker will resupply at each location.
*Be aware: All miles are approximate because of the choose-your-own journey model of this path.
HAMMETT (NOBO ~MILE 100)
As an unincorporated group, there usually are not many facilities on this small city. Nevertheless, it does have a submit workplace, which implies that meals might be despatched right here to shorten the carry to or from the border. Hammett is situated simply off I-84, and the official route passes proper by means of the group.
Don’t Miss: Put up workplace, Lulu’s Cafe
MOUNTAIN HOME (NOBO ~MILE 130)
This cease would require a hitch into city, nevertheless it’s a straight shot on US HWY-20 from the ICT. Mountain House is a full-service city with a number of grocery shops, motels, and facilities. The city is a bit unfold out, however it’s surprisingly pedestrian-friendly because of plentiful sidewalks. We stayed on the Gem State RV park, however there are additionally accommodations and motels all through city and alongside the interstate. Be certain to go to Lumpia Xpress to take your image subsequent to the Mountain House mural and order some tasty Filipino meals earlier than leaving city.
Don’t Miss: Lumpia Xpress, Grocery Outlet
STANLEY (NOBO ~MILE 260)
Stanley sits simply exterior the Sawtooths and, as such, is standard with vacationers regardless of its small measurement. The city includes a couple of tourist-focused eating places, lodges, and guiding companies. Sending a package deal to the submit workplace right here is a good suggestion, because the meals choice is each restricted and costly on the Mountain Village Mercantile. If the accommodations are booked out as a consequence of summer time guests, attempt asking on the Mountain Village Resort about dry tenting. Be able to spend a fairly penny on eating out, although it’s price it to gasoline up earlier than or after tackling the Frank.
Don’t Miss: Put up workplace, Mountain Village Sizzling Springs, Mountain Village Mercantile, Stanley Baking Firm
INDIAN CREEK GUARD STATION (NOBO ~MILE 308)
One among a number of fly-in resupply choices, the Indian Creek Guard Station is situated proper on the Idaho Centennial Path and the Center Fork of the Salmon. It’s manned by the Forest Service, and permission is required earlier than sending a package deal right here. There’s tenting alongside the river and a water spigot, however no different facilities. This air strip might be standard with raft guiding firms for tenting and generally for flying into the Frank if there are hazards up river. Mail is delivered as soon as per week, so plan accordingly.
Don’t Miss: Nice tenting proper alongside the Center Fork of the Salmon River!
CAMPBELL’S FERRY (NOBO ~MILE 408)
This property is a part of the Nationwide Register of Historic Locations and was initially an essential ferry crossing on the Salmon River. In the present day, it’s privately owned, and there’s a hiker bridge simply exterior the property. There aren’t any roads that attain this location: all provides are flown into the airstrip. Permission will must be attained to ship a field right here, although the homeowners have traditionally been pleasant to thru-hikers.
MOOSE CREEK RANGER STATION (NOBO ~MILE 488)
It’s attainable to have a resupply field flown into the Moose Creek Guard Station, managed by the Forest Service. The largest hurdles are getting permission and discovering somebody to ship the package deal with out it costing an arm and a leg. Smith Air doesn’t typically take mail this far out from Cascade, so do your analysis in the event you plan to make use of this location.
KOOSKIA, ID / MISSOULA, MT (NOBO ~MILE 540)
The ICT crosses US HWY-12 on the Wilderness Gateway Campground. Sadly, that location is kind of a means from each Kooskia and Missoula, with restricted visitors on the freeway. It may be a tough hitch, however doable with some persistence. Hikers have the selection of both heading west to the small city of Kooskia or east to Missoula. There are extra facilities in Montana, however it’s additional away and could also be tougher to discover a journey again to the path.
SUPERIOR, MT (NOBO ~MILE 630)
These seeking to shorten the carry between Freeway 12 and Mullan ought to take into account hitching into Superior, MT. A lot of the journey could be on grime roads, however Missoula Lake is a well-liked vacation spot, so it’s attainable to get a journey with some persistence. Like lots of the resupply cities alongside the ICT, Superior is small with a inhabitants beneath 1,000. There are simply sufficient facilities to make it a worthwhile cease, similar to a motel, grocery retailer, submit workplace, and restaurant.
Don’t Miss: Large Sky Motel, Darlow’s Ace {Hardware} (grocery), River Aspect Soups & Sandz
MULLAN (NOBO ~MILE 700)
The postmaster on the submit workplace in Mullan could be very hiker pleasant, and the pavilion on the park is a good place to regroup, each good issues as this city doesn’t have many facilities. Sending a field is a good suggestion, as the one different choice is the comfort retailer. We liked the out of doors seating and pleasant workers on the Outlaw Bar and Grill. Nevertheless, there usually are not any motels on this city, so be ready to attempt for a hitch on the interstate or simply hike out and in of city on the identical day.
Don’t Miss: Outlaw Bar and Grill, submit workplace
CLARK FORK (NOBO ~MILE 780)
One other small city, Clark Fork, has a small unbiased grocery retailer, submit workplace, a couple of eating places, and a motel. There’s sufficient choice to resupply on the Monarch Market or Clark Fork Pantry, however for hikers who want extra facilities, it is perhaps a good suggestion to hitch to Sandpoint, which is a full-service city.
Don’t Miss: Monarch Market, Clark Fork Pantry, Rocco’s
SANDPOINT (NOBO ~MILE 780 VIA ID 200 or ~MILE 840 VIA HWY 2)
ICT hikers can hitch into Sandpoint from both State Route 200 or US Freeway 2. Virtually something a hiker may need is obtainable on this city, together with field shops, breweries, and accommodations. Strolling between stops can take some time, although there’s a native bus system that’s free to make use of.
Don’t Miss: Hoot Owl Cafe, Joel’s, MickDuff’s Brewery
NAPLES (NOBO ~MILE 840)
The primary or last cease, relying on which route you hike, Naples is an extremely small although doable resupply choice. There’s a Basic Retailer which has each meals on the market and a small submit workplace within the again the place packages might be despatched. Subsequent door is the Northwoods Tavern for a scorching meal. There aren’t any accommodations on the town, however the Blue Lake RV Resort, only a mile up the freeway, gives tent tenting and could be very pleasant to hikers. These needing extra meals and lodging choices could wish to hitch to Sandpoint.
Don’t Miss: Naples Basic Retailer, Blue Lake RV Resort
Gear Record
Be certain to take a look at our Final Backpacking Guidelines so that you don’t neglect one thing essential.
Beneath you’ll discover our present favourite backpacking gear. If you wish to see extra choices, our curated gear guides are the results of a few years of intensive analysis and hands-on testing by our staff of outside consultants.
BACKPACK
Conclusion
The Idaho Centennial Path is a rugged long-distance journey that requires a good quantity of planning and luxury within the backcountry. However for individuals who love solitude and pure magnificence, the ICT is considered one of our favourite backcountry adventures.
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