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Palisades Creek Canyon and Big Elk Creek

  1. Areas
  2. ID
  3. …Eastern Idaho
  4. Targhee National Forest
  5. Palisades Creek Canyon and Big Elk Creek

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Recommended Routes in Palisades Creek Canyon and Big Elk Creek - 2

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RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Favorite Taken during the "Cowbell Race Series: Soup in the Snow" event the first Saturday of every February.
Intermediate Intermediate

Upper Palisades Lake

14.4 mi 23.1 km • 1,726' Up 526.16 m Up • 1,726' Down 526.21 m Down

Irwin, ID
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RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Favorite Looking to the north at the top of Baird you are rewarded with a fantastic view of the Tetons. Pictures don't do it justice.
Difficult Difficult

Mt. Baird Out and Back

9.2 mi 14.9 km • 3,934' Up 1198.94 m Up • 3,933' Down 1198.76 m Down

Victor, ID
Explore in 3D

Palisades Creek Canyon and Big Elk Creek Hiking

  • 56 Miles 91 Kilometers of Trail
  • 2 Recommended Routes
  • 0 Easy Trails Easy Trails
  • 7 Intermediate Trails Intermediate Trails
  • 8 Difficult Trails Difficult Trails
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Trails in Palisades Creek Canyon and Big Elk Creek - 13

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4.3 mi 7.0 km #1Lower Palisades Lake Trail
Easy/Intermediate Easy/Intermediate
Irwin, ID
Easy/Intermediate Easy/Intermediate
Irwin, ID 13 
4.4 mi 7.0 km #2Austin Canyon
Difficult Difficult
Irwin, ID
Difficult Difficult
Irwin, ID 1 
4.1 mi 6.6 km #3Quaker Flat Trail
Difficult Difficult
Irwin, ID
Difficult Difficult
Irwin, ID 1 
3.3 mi 5.3 km #4Vacation Canyon Trail #118
Difficult Difficult
Irwin, ID
Difficult Difficult
Irwin, ID 1 
3.1 mi 5.0 km #5Waterfall Crest #109
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
Irwin, ID
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
Irwin, ID 1 
12.2 mi 19.6 km #6Big Elk Creek Trail #097
Intermediate Intermediate
Irwin, ID
Intermediate Intermediate
Irwin, ID 4 
5.0 mi 8.0 km #7Waterfall Canyon Trail
Difficult Difficult
Irwin, ID
Difficult Difficult
Irwin, ID 4 
4.0 mi 6.4 km #8Little Elk Creek Trail
Difficult Difficult
Irwin, ID
Difficult Difficult
Irwin, ID 4 
1.9 mi 3.1 km #9Spring Run
Intermediate Intermediate
Hoback, WY
Intermediate Intermediate
Hoback, WY 2 
4.2 mi 6.7 km #10Upper Palisades Lake Trail
Intermediate Intermediate
Irwin, ID
Intermediate Intermediate
Irwin, ID 1 
3.3 mi 5.4 km #11Sheep Creek/ Little Elk Trail #100
Intermediate Intermediate
Victor, ID
Intermediate Intermediate
Victor, ID 1 
4.6 mi 7.3 km #12Dry Canyon
Difficult Difficult
Irwin, ID
Difficult Difficult
Irwin, ID 1 
2.2 mi 3.5 km #13Blowout Canyon Trail
Difficult Difficult
Hoback, WY
Difficult Difficult
Hoback, WY 1 

Photos of Palisades Creek Canyon and Big Elk Creek - 75

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At the top of the ridge, this is looking toward Palisade Waterfall and Upper Palisade Lake (just around the turn in the canyon).
Jul 1, 2017 near Irwin, Not set (ID )
Experience the trail during the winter. Creates a whole new challenge.
Jul 13, 2017 near Irwin, Not set (ID )
Taken during the "Cowbell Race Series: Soup in the Snow" event the first Saturday of every February.
Jul 13, 2017 near Irwin, Not set (ID )
Looking to the north at the top of Baird you are rewarded with a fantastic view of the Tetons. Pictures don't do it justice.
Jul 13, 2018 near Irwin, Not set (ID )
In the Spaulding Basin Meadow by the old cabin.
May 23, 2021 near Irwin, Not set (ID )
Even during a drought year, you can find snow on the north side of the ridge. This is right by the Waterfall Canyon - Sheep Cr. Trail split.
Jul 30, 2021 near Irwin, Not set (ID )
The approach to Mt. Baird.
Jul 30, 2021 near Irwin, Not set (ID )
Looking down into Waterfall Canyon as you head down the switchbacks to connect to Austin Canyon
Aug 18, 2021 near Irwin, Not set (ID )
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