Indian Creek Loop

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Commonly Backpacked · Fall Colors · River/Creek · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

The Palisades Wilderness Area exhibit a much different wild character than the Tetons or Gros Ventre. Be prepared to find solitude and vast view's of pristine wilderness. The first section of this trail up the South Fork Indian Creek is mostly easy hiking. The difficulty begins when crossing over Observation Mountain to the adjacent North Fork Indian Creek. During this difficult segment, there are plenty of alpine creeks to enjoy and open meadows to relax in. And if you are more ambitious, drop your packs and hike the remaining 1.3 miles and 400 vertical feet to the top of Observation Peak. The last half of the trip descends into North Fork Indian Creek, for an enjoyable 10 mile hike out.

Motorcycles are allowed on this loop. Outfitters bring horses up into this area as well. Fall hunting is popular in the area. There has been a juvenile black bear living around the 4-5 mile mark as of 2019 and hides up in the cliffs when spooked.

It is recommended to hike this trail in July for full wildflower and hydrologic activity.

Either park at the North Fork parking lot and hike the road to the South Fork Indian Creek TH or park at the South Fork parking lot and hike the road on the way out. The road segment is about 1.5 miles.

Plan on several creek crossings on the South Fork Indian Creek section of this loop. The climbing on this section is more drawn out than on the steeper, shorter climbs on the North Fork Indian Creek side. There is better camping on the last third of the South Fork Indian Creek trail, but decent spots can be found along the major creek headed up. About 7 or 8 miles in, follow the map closely. In Lake Basin just before where "the chair" is, the trail transitions to the North Fork Indian Creek trail.

Time this hike right and you'll either have lush flowers down lower or rolling fields of lupines in the meadows and along the hillsides up high.

Transitioning onto the North Fork Indian Creek trail, continue to climb up the divide between the two drainages. Just after the divide, if there is interest in summiting Observation Peak, pick your way up the major ridgeline that splits the two drainages avoiding the first hump in the ridgeline directly above the divide. The peak is only 1.3 miles and 400 vertical feet involving off trail adventure which includes some loose scree.

It's all downhill from here into the north fork. The trail heads gently downhill for a few miles before switch-backing into the north fork canyon. If you go early enough in the summer, you'll notice waterfalls in this section. After the switchbacks, now on the canyon floor, there will be a few creek crossings before the trail sticks to the right of the creek. You'll pass by Garden Canyon Trail, which has literally been described as, "A literal canyon full of wildflowers and amazing views...". After Garden Canyon Trail, the grade and terrain mellow, making this a enjoyable 5 mile hike back to the TH. - shared by Jeff Fullmer and improved by Justin Bowen

Pine trees, quaky Aspens, lots of bushes/undergrowth, and flowers galore. Bears, moose, elk, mountain lions, and deer are in the area.