The Idaho Centennial Path is likely one of the most distant long-distance trails within the US. Hikers who sort out this route should 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 Info
- 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 Tough
Highlights
- Solitude
- Plentiful wildlife
- Limitless potentialities for alternate routes
- Each mountains and desert in a shorter thru-hike
- Mountain climbing alongside the Salmon, Selway, and Snake rivers is a novel expertise
- Darkish evening skies for stargazing
- Unbelievable ridge views
Lowlights
- Mosquitoes
- Many miles will not be maintained, which makes for sluggish progress
- Lack of know-how on circumstances
- Logistics are troublesome at occasions
- Meals have to be flown into the Selway and Frank
- Lengthy water carries or caches are vital within the Owyhee
- Time zone modifications may be complicated on the State Line Path and the Salmon River
Finest Time to Hike
Like many mountainous and northern latitude thru-hikes, the Idaho Centennial Path (ICT) is finest tackled in the summertime when the excessive peaks are freed from snow. In contrast to extra common 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 be when the Sawtooths change into satisfactory. Heading southbound, the Owynee can nonetheless be fairly scorching by August. On the finish of the day, some compromise will probably be wanted, and hikers will both must plan for sections, hope for favorable climate, or simply take care of the circumstances through the use of 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 occasions. Potential hikers should be versatile and have the mandatory abilities to sort out this route safely.
For all of those causes, outlined in additional element under, it’s considerably tougher than any of the Triple Crown trails or different common thru-hikes.
ROUTE FINDING
In contrast to extra common thru-hikes, the Idaho Centennial Path isn’t a totally blazed route. There may be not a FarOut app or a particular map set for this path. As a substitute, 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 akin to GAIA GPS, or a mixture of each. Whereas there are some ICT markers within the Owhyee desert, most path junctions will not be marked. Hikers want to concentrate to the place they’re going, perceive find out how to learn the panorama, and have the ability to make navigation selections each single day.
The opposite route-finding piece that’s completely different from different long-distance hikes is the standard of the paths. There are lots 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 sluggish 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 signifies that hikers should be far more self-reliant and actually perceive their limitations to remain protected. Many sections would require a number of hours of hitchhiking on filth roads to succeed in the closest city. Lots of these cities are extremely small and wouldn’t have many facilities to assist out a hiker.
Whereas your complete route is far more distant than a regular 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 can be adjoining to one another. Collectively, they make up an enormous space in central Idaho that’s distant from any city of any dimension. For reference, it’s regular to hike virtually 300 miles with out resupplying in any cities on this part. Hikers usually must have their meals flown into Forest Service guard stations or delivered to non-public landowners with an airstrip on their property. There are bailout factors and reroute choices, however even these roads are usually 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 filth roads. It’s doable to discover a experience by mountaineering out to the principle filth highway to the east, however the nature of mountaineering in a waterless desert makes this part severe. It may take nicely over one to 2 hours to get assist by automotive in some areas, so care is required to remain protected.
WATER ACCESS & SUN EXPOSURE
Other than 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 quick access to water. A 4×4 automobile or filth 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 may be 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 can be within the 80s within the northern components of the state. The elevation alongside the Salmon River is sort 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 gratifying.
LIMITED OUTSIDE RESOURCES
Although the ICT was first established in 1990, few folks have efficiently accomplished end-to-end thru-hikes. Whereas it’s arduous to search out actual estimates on the variety of completers, it’s protected to say that even with its current progress in recognition, only some folks full it every year. Many individuals do sort out sections, notably native Idahoans, however as a result of decrease stage of curiosity on this path, there are fewer planning sources and on-trail help. There’s a Fb web page devoted to the ICT the place these curious in regards to 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 sources on their web site, together with overview maps and a few fundamental planning data.
Potential hikers ought to be aware there’s not a longtime path tradition or help community for thru-hikers. Whereas folks in Idaho are usually pleasant and hitchhiking isn’t a difficulty, any path magic might be spontaneous from people who find themselves genuinely involved about your well-being on account of not realizing a lot in regards to the route. Don’t anticipate finding hiker reductions, water caches, or hostels whereas mountaineering the ICT.
WILDFIRES
Whereas a lot of the West is vulnerable to wildfires, they’ll shortly derail an Idaho Centennial Path hike. Central Idaho, particularly, is vulnerable to devastating wildfires as a result of decrease elevations and arid local weather alongside the rivers. As soon as a fireplace begins, they’re troublesome to combat as a result of distant nature of the world and rugged terrain.
Nevertheless, fires can begin just about wherever alongside the path. It’s good to be diligent when mountaineering and look ahead to smoke. Carrying a satellite tv for pc messaging system 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 vital with the intention to keep away from fireplace closures.
NORTHBOUND VS. SOUTHBOUND
As with every long-distance hike, these trying to thru-hike must plan correctly for the time and funds vital to finish a 1,000-mile path.
Although most skilled thru-hikers and Idahoans advocate mountaineering the ICT NOBO, relying on the 12 months, SOBO may be a greater possibility. Typically talking, fires and snowpack are the principle causes for selecting a NOBO thru-hike. By mountaineering the desert first, thru-hikers can choose 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 still be coated in snow by the point most hikers get there. We hiked the ICT southbound and have 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 consequently.
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 Scorching Springs, ID. Murphy Scorching Springs is a small unincorporated neighborhood situated on the Bruneau River, and each the neighborhood and terminus are roughly three and a half hours from Boise. There are lots of miles of filth highway to drive on the way in which, and hitchhiking to this terminus could be troublesome. Most thru-hikers prepare a shuttle with household, mates, or by posting on the ICT Fb group.
NORTHERN TERMINUS
The ICT formally ends at American Falls, which is a few 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 whole, the drive from the trailhead to Spokane is about three hours. Just like the southern terminus, most hikers prepare a shuttle by household, mates, 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 particular itinerary define if there are consensus finest campsites or finest routes)
Assets 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 superb place to start out for normal data and planning. Now we have additionally discovered the Idaho Centennial Path Updates and Info group on Fb to be fairly useful. There are different web sites with helpful data 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 on the market on Amazon and at REI.
As for maps, there isn’t a FarOut app for this path. A GPS app akin to GAIA, OnX, or CalTopo is a good suggestion as a result of terrain. Idaho Parks and Rec has a GPX file that may be downloaded from their web site and uploaded into your navigation app of alternative. Paper maps are additionally a good suggestion on this route, at the least 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 affordable value and are additionally helpful for caching meals or water.
Wildlife
A variety of wildlife is discovered throughout Idaho as a result of variety of terrain and elevation. Hikers needs to 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 advised to take precautions by carrying bear spray and storing meals correctly from the Sawtooths north to the terminus.
We have been shocked on the variety of rattlesnakes – they’re quite common alongside the Selway and Salmon rivers as a result of 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 tired of people when given correct area.
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 totally enclosed tent might 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. Essentially 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, masking the bottom and turning into a hazard for drivers and cyclists alike.
The place to Resupply
Some of the distinctive points 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 these sections is so distant and lengthy, most thru-hikers should have their meals flown in. There are a number of Guard Stations run by the Forest Service that may 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. Because of this for many places, it’s comparatively inexpensive to ship a resupply field. Simply mail your bundle by your native publish workplace and pay the common bundle price.
That mentioned, permission from the landowners is required earlier than any packing containers may be despatched. When permission is granted, the airstrip house owners will present the suitable mailing tackle. We additionally counsel contacting Smith Air for extra data, 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 at the least half, if not all, resupplies might be vital. Most of the cities alongside the Idaho Centennial Path have publish places of work that may maintain normal supply packages. Most postal staff are even acquainted with hikers. Particular consideration is required to resupply within the Selway-Bitterroot and Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness areas. Listed here are a few of the widespread resupply places to think about, although not each hiker will resupply at each location.
*Word: All miles are approximate as a result of choose-your-own journey model of this path.
HAMMETT (NOBO ~MILE 100)
As an unincorporated neighborhood, there will not be many facilities on this small city. Nevertheless, it does have a publish workplace, which signifies that meals may 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 the neighborhood.
Don’t Miss: Submit workplace, Lulu’s Cafe
MOUNTAIN HOME (NOBO ~MILE 130)
This cease would require a hitch into city, but it surely’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 motels and motels all through city and alongside the interstate. Ensure 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 outdoors the Sawtooths and, as such, is common with vacationers regardless of its small dimension. The city includes a couple of tourist-focused eating places, lodges, and guiding providers. Sending a bundle to the publish workplace right here is a good suggestion, because the meals choice is each restricted and costly on the Mountain Village Mercantile. If the motels are booked out on account 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 gas up earlier than or after tackling the Frank.
Don’t Miss: Submit workplace, Mountain Village Scorching 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 bundle right here. There may be tenting alongside the river and a water spigot, however no different facilities. This air strip may be common with raft guiding corporations for tenting and typically 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 necessary ferry crossing on the Salmon River. Right this moment, it’s privately owned, and there’s a hiker bridge simply outdoors the property. There are not any roads that attain this location: all provides are flown into the airstrip. Permission will should be attained to ship a field right here, although the house owners have traditionally been pleasant to thru-hikers.
MOOSE CREEK RANGER STATION (NOBO ~MILE 488)
It’s doable to have a resupply field flown into the Moose Creek Guard Station, managed by the Forest Service. The most important hurdles are getting permission and discovering somebody to ship the bundle with out it costing an arm and a leg. Smith Air doesn’t usually take mail this far out from Cascade, so do your analysis if you happen to 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 sort of a manner from each Kooskia and Missoula, with restricted visitors on the freeway. It may be a troublesome 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 experience again to the path.
SUPERIOR, MT (NOBO ~MILE 630)
These trying to shorten the carry between Freeway 12 and Mullan ought to contemplate hitching into Superior, MT. A lot of the experience could be on filth roads, however Missoula Lake is a well-liked vacation spot, so it’s doable to get a experience with some persistence. Like lots of the resupply cities alongside the ICT, Superior is small with a inhabitants below 1,000. There are simply sufficient facilities to make it a worthwhile cease, akin to a motel, grocery retailer, publish workplace, and restaurant.
Don’t Miss: Large Sky Motel, Darlow’s Ace {Hardware} (grocery), River Facet Soups & Sandz
MULLAN (NOBO ~MILE 700)
The postmaster on the publish workplace in Mullan may be very hiker pleasant, and the pavilion on the park is a superb 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 possibility is the comfort retailer. We cherished the outside seating and pleasant workers on the Outlaw Bar and Grill. Nevertheless, there will not be 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, publish workplace
CLARK FORK (NOBO ~MILE 780)
One other small city, Clark Fork, has a small impartial grocery retailer, publish workplace, a couple of eating places, and a motel. There may be sufficient choice to resupply on the Monarch Market or Clark Fork Pantry, however for hikers who want extra facilities, it may be 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. Nearly something a hiker may need is on the market on this city, together with field shops, breweries, and motels. 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 ultimate cease, relying on which route you hike, Naples is an extremely small although doable resupply possibility. There’s a Common Retailer which has each meals on the market and a small publish workplace within the again the place packages may be despatched. Subsequent door is the Northwoods Tavern for a scorching meal. There are not any motels on the town, however the Blue Lake RV Resort, only a mile up the freeway, provides tent tenting and may be very pleasant to hikers. These needing extra meals and lodging choices could wish to hitch to Sandpoint.
Don’t Miss: Naples Common Retailer, Blue Lake RV Resort
MAPS & RESOURCES
- CalTopo: Overview Map
- Cairn Cartographics Maps
Gear Checklist
Ensure to take a look at our Final Backpacking Guidelines so that you don’t overlook one thing necessary.
Under 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 workforce of out of doors specialists.
BACKPACK
- Finest Backpacking Pack Total: REI Flash 55 – Males’s / REI Flash 55 – Girls’s
- Finest Ultralight Backpacking Backpack: Hyperlite Mountain Gear Unbound 40
- Extra: Take a look at our finest backpacking backpacks information for ultralight and trekking choices
TENT
- Finest Backpacking Tent Total: Large Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2
- Finest Ultralight Tent: Zpacks Duplex
- Finest Finances Tent: REI Half Dome SL 2+
- Finest Tent Stakes Total: All One Tech Aluminum Stakes
- Extra: Take a look at our finest backpacking tents information for extra choices
SLEEPING BAG/QUILT
- Finest Sleeping Bag Total: Males’s Feathered Buddies Swallow YF 20 / Girls’s Feathered Buddies Egret YF 20
- Finest Quilt Total: Enlightened Tools Revelation 20
- Extra: Take a look at our finest backpacking sleeping baggage information and finest backpacking quilts information for extra choices
SLEEPING PAD
- Finest Sleeping Pad Total: NEMO Tensor All-Season
- Finest Foam Sleeping Pad: NEMO Switchback
- Extra: Take a look at our finest backpacking sleeping pads information for ultralight and trekking choices
CAMP KITCHEN
- Finest Backpacking Range Total: MSR PocketRocket 2
- Finest Backpacking Cookware Total: TOAKS Titanium 750ml
- Finest Backpacking Espresso Total: Starbucks VIA
- Extra: Take a look at our finest backpacking stoves information and finest backpacking cookware information for ultralight and enormous group choices
WATER & FILTRATION
- Finest Water Filter Total: Sawyer Squeeze
- Finest Hydration Bladder Total: Gregory 3D Hydro
- Finest Backpacking Water Bottles: Smartwater Bottles
- Extra: Take a look at our finest backpacking water filters information and finest backpacking water bottles information for ultralight and enormous group choices
CLOTHING
- Finest Mountain climbing Pants Total: Males’s Out of doors Analysis Ferrosi / Girls’s The North Face Aphrodite 2.0
- Finest Mountain climbing Shorts Total: Males’s Patagonia Quandary / Girls’s Out of doors Analysis Ferrosi
- Finest Girls’s Mountain climbing Leggings: Fjallraven Abisko Trekking Tights HD
- Finest Rain Jacket Total: Males’s Patagonia Torrentshell 3L / Girls’s Patagonia Torrentshell 3L
- Finest Rain Pants: Males’s Patagonia Torrentshell 3L / Girls’s Patagonia Torrentshell 3L
- Finest Down Jacket Total: Males’s Patagonia Down Sweater Hoodie / Girls’s Patagonia Down Sweater Hoodie
- Finest Fleece Jacket Total: Males’s Patagonia Higher Sweater / Girls’s Patagonia Higher Sweater
- Finest Sunshirt Total: Males’s Out of doors Analysis Echo / Girls’s Out of doors Analysis Echo
- Finest Socks Total: Males’s Darn Robust Mild Hiker Micro Crew / Girls’s Darn Robust Mild Hiker Micro Crew
- Beste Ultralight Liner Glove: Patagonia Capilene Midweight Liner
- Extra: Take a look at our finest backpacking attire lists for extra choices
FOOTWEAR & TRACTION
- Finest Mountain climbing Sneakers Total: Males’s HOKA Speedgoat 6 / Girls’s HOKA Speedgoat 6
- Finest Mountain climbing Boots Total: Males’s Salomon X Extremely 4 GTX / Girls’s Lowa Renegade GTX
- Finest Mountain climbing Sandals Total: Males’s Chaco Z/1 Basic / Girls’s Chaco Z/1 Basic
- Finest Camp Sneakers Total: Crocs Basic Clogs
- Finest Traction Machine for Mountain climbing Total: Kahtoola MICROspikes
- Extra: Take a look at our finest backpacking footwear lists for extra choices
NAVIGATION
- Finest GPS Watch Total: Garmin Intuition 2 Photo voltaic
- Finest Private Locator Beacon (PLB): Garmin inReach Mini 2
- Extra: Take a look at our article Tips on how to Use Your Cellphone as a GPS Machine for Backpacking & Mountain climbing to study extra
FOOD
FIRST-AID & TOOLS
- Finest First-Support Equipment Total: Journey Medical Kits Ultralight/Watertight .7
- Finest Pocket Knife Total: Kershaw Leek
- Finest Multitool Total: Leatherman Wave+
- Finest Headlamp Total: Black Diamond Spot 400-R
- Finest Energy Financial institution Total: Nitcore NB 10000 Gen 3
- Extra: Take a look at our finest first-aid Equipment information, finest pocket knife information, finest multitool information, finest backpacking headlamps information, and finest energy banks information for extra choices
MISCELLANEOUS
- Finest Trekking Poles Total: Black Diamond Pursuit
- Finest Backpacking Chair Total: REI Flexlite Air
- Finest Backpacking Stuff Sack Total: Hyperlite Mountain Gear Drawstring
- Extra: Take a look at our finest trekking poles information, finest backpacking chairs information, and finest stuff sacks information for extra choices
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 certainly one of our favourite backcountry adventures.
And make sure you take a look at a few of our different common content material:
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