Waipiti Ridge Trail

Waipiti Ridge is located in the South Fork of the Payette River canyon. The Grandjean Trailhead is located a few miles upstream and is the jumping off point for several great hikes. The Taylor Springs adventure is a good starting point to learn more about the South Fork.

Waipiti Ridge

The Waipiti Creek Trail lies just outside the northwest corner of the Sawtooth Wilderness. The trail climbs more than 3,000 feet to reach Point 8,836, where an 180-degree panorama takes in the entire west side of the range from Mount Zumwalt to Nahneke Peak on the south end of the range. The there-and-back trip to Point 8,836 is a big day hike (8.8 miles and 3,470 feet of climbing), but it is well worth the unique perspective on the range. The wildflowers on the south slopes and along the ridge are also quite stunning. There is no water available on the hike, but snowdrifts up high can last into the middle of July.

The trail continues to a junction with Tenmile Ridge (Boise National Forest #157) and then east to Picket Mountain and down to the South Fork of the Payette River. This makes for an ambitious day loop, or a nice overnight trip with a camp on the summit of Picket Mountain. The Rabbit Creek Fire in 1994 burned over most of Picket Mountain. The trail beyond Tenmile Ridge is faint at times, but it crosses through a beautiful, open landscape of recovering forest. There are two springs in this section where hikers will hopefully be able to find water.

Hiking distances and ascents are as follows:

• From the Waipiti Trailhead to overlook at Point 8,836: 4.4 miles, 3,470 feet.
• From the Waipiti Trailhead to Pickett Mountain: 10.2 miles, 4,104 feet.
• Waipiti to Pickett to Grandjean Loop: 17.7 miles, 4,606 feet.

Additional Adventures

As mentioned above, it is possible to create a loop from Waipiti Ridge to Pickett Mountain. Check out the Pickett Mountain hike for more info about the second leg. There is also a trail that extends west along the Tenmilie Ridge and is part of the Boise National Forest (see Mountain Biking below).

Mountain Biking

Picket Mountain is open to both mountain bikes and motorcycles. As a bike ride, the climb is pretty grueling, with the bottom, middle, and top sections averaging a 15%, 18%, and 12% grade respectively. Crux sections steepen to a 23% (by comparison, the steepest climb up the Bald Mountain Ski Resort in Ketchum/Sun Valley is a steady 13%).  If you feel up to the effort however, Wapiti to Tenmile Ridge looks to be an outstanding ride that traverses nearly 11 miles of stunning mountain ridgeline before dropping to the South Fork of the Payette River. Check with the Boise National Forest for more information on the Tenmile Ridge Trail.

Wilderness Regulations

Most of the trail lies within the Sawtooth Wilderness.  Please observe the following  regulations:
• Mountain bikes are not allowed past the wilderness boundary.
• Self administered wilderness permits are required and available at the trailhead.
• Dogs must be on a leash between July 1 and Labor Day.
• Camp 100 feet from trails, lakes and streams.
• Pack out all garbage.
• Human waste should be buried and well disguised in a cat hole that is 6 to 8 inches deep.  Pack out all toilet paper.
• Campfires allowed ONLY in a backcountry pan or fire blanket.
• Campfires are NOT allowed at some lakes and in some drainages in the Sawtooths.  Please review the campfire restrictions at individual trailheads.
• Permits required for all stock use in the wilderness. No grazing allowed in the Salmon River watershed (This includes the Alpine Lake drainage).
• No equine stock at Edith Lake. ALL stock prohibited in the Goat Creek and Alpine Creek (Alturas Lake) drainages.

Reference: All content excerpted from Exploring the Sawtooths - A Comprehensive Guide by Idaho River Publications.