Hiking Project Logo

From the inlet to the Upper Palisades Lake, this trail takes you to the crest of Waterfall Canyon.


Your Rating: Rating Rating Rating Rating Rating      Clear Rating
Your Difficulty:
Your Favorites: Add To-Do · Your List
Zoom in to see details
Map Key

5.0

Miles

8.0

KM

Point to Point

8,829' 2,691 m

High

6,676' 2,035 m

Low

2,173' 662 m

Up

20' 6 m

Down

8%

Avg Grade (5°)

37%

Max Grade (20°)

Dogs Leashed

Features Fall Colors · Lake · River/Creek · Spring · Views · Waterfall · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Snow will slow you down until mid/late summer.

Description

This trail is an incredible journey into the backcountry of the Palisades area. Waterfall Canyon connects the Palisades Lakes to Little Elk Creek and other trails/peaks. The highlight of this trail is the main waterfall (the pond the waterfall feeds is shown on most maps). The water is clean if you are willing to cross the pond and climb up to the waterfall.

If you hit the canyon early enough in the year, you'll see multiple waterfalls through the canyon. There are steep cliffs on both sides of most of this canyon. The climb out of the back of the canyon is a challenge. There is almost always snow somewhere in this canyon year round. Early summer will mean snow and creek crossings.

Flora & Fauna

Pine trees and wildflowers. Mountain goats, moose, deer, and elk live in the area.

Contacts

Shared By:

Jeff Fullmer

Trail Ratings

  4.3 from 4 votes

#10799

Overall
  4.3 from 4 votes
5 Star
75%
4 Star
0%
3 Star
0%
2 Star
25%
1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#480

in Idaho

#10,799

Overall
9 Views Last Month
2,850 Since Jul 13, 2017
Difficult Difficult

0%
0%
0%
0%
100%
0%

Photos

The creek beds in Waterfall Canyon go dry at the end of the summer but are full of snow and water earlier.
Jul 13, 2017 near Irwin, Not set (ID )
Coming back down from the back end of Waterfall Canyon are steep switchbacks and tough terrain.
Jul 13, 2017 near Irwin, Not set (ID )
Waterfall as seen from the southern end, the end of the climb!
Jul 13, 2017 near Irwin, Not set (ID )
Cresting Waterfall Canyon and merging onto the Waterfall Crest trail (yes a little bit of signage can be seen) you'll see Mt. Baird and Palisades Reservoir.
Jul 13, 2017 near Irwin, Not set (ID )
The main waterfall and pond below it (seen on most maps). The trail up to the falls is viable. A trickle in late summer but roaring in early summer.
Jul 13, 2017 near Irwin, Not set (ID )
The turnoff, don't miss it!
Jun 15, 2018 near Irwin, Not set (ID )
loading

Weather


Current Trail Conditions

Unknown
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

none
Welcome

Join the Community! It's FREE

Already have an account? Login to close this notice.