Red Warrior – Warfield Creek Loop

There is plenty of water for the first 3.4 miles, but the next reliable source is not until the 8.75-mile mark. Given the hike’s distance, you may want to bring a water filter to refill bottles at that 8.75-mile crossing.

From downtown Ketchum, it is a 11-mile drive with the last 6 miles being on a well-maintained dirt road. Drive past the sign for the Red Warrior trailhead for about 500 feet and park at a large cut out on the right. Click here for directions to the trailhead. There is plenty of parking.

There are bathroom facilities at the trailhead.

Late June through early October

Begin by walking back down Warm Springs Road from the direction you drove in. At .1 miles, come to the secondary trailhead on your right. The path leads downward towards the Big Wood River. Unless the water level is very low, you will likely have to make a barefoot crossing to avoid soaking your boots and socks.

The trail bends to the left and a creek runs alongside, crossing the path three times over the first mile and a half. Pines offer plenty of shade over this section. At about 1.6 miles, come to an old metal shack that can serve as a camping spot.

After passing the shack, evidence of the 2007 Castle Rock Fire grows clearer and the charred trees offer less protection from the sun. Over the next half mile or so, you will cross the stream eight times. At 2.45 miles come to a signed intersection with Red Warrior-Lodgepole. Turn right to continue on Red Warrior.

The climb intensifies after another easy water crossing at the 2.5 miles mark. With each step through the charred forest, the view expands, providing stunning vistas of the Smoky Mountains. Come to a pair of water crossings at about 3.2 and 3.35 miles. The second crossing is the last easily accessible water until the 8.75-mile mark, so refill water bottles as necessary.

The climb continues, mainly in open sun, though small patches of pine offer a little relief starting at about 4.7 miles. Finally, come to a signed junction at about 5.3 miles. Stay straight to continue onto the Red Warrior-Warfield Connector. This is also a great spot to sit, grab a protein bar and enjoy the magnificent views.

The remote Red Warrior-Warfield Creek Connector trail rolls up and over a saddle mainly through mountain meadows that are awash in wildflowers in mid-summer. There are a few sections of climb, but it is a pleasant walk with amazing views of the Smoky Mountains. This is a section to catch your breath and enjoy being alone in Idaho’s beautiful wilderness. Eventually the trail descends and at 6.6 miles, come to a junction with Warfield-South Fork Warm Springs. Turn right to continue the descent.

The descent continues along a mid-ridge rocky trail which curves in and out of spruce forest via several switchbacks.  This section highlights the forest’s remarkable recovery as patches of small pine line a few sections of the trail and wildflowers grow in the shadow of fallen, burnt trees.

At about 8.5 miles, come to a mud puddle and then cross Warfield Creek twice. The wider crossing at about 8.75 miles is a good spot to refill water bottles.

After the crossing, the trail undulates through the woods with the creek running to your right and a tallus-covered hill to your left. Over the next couple miles, tallus impedes onto the trail regularly, making footing difficult. The trail crosses the creek several times, but by mid-summer it has usually run dry. This is the least interesting part of the hike, though the last half mile does improve with the cover of trees, mimicking the start of the Red Warrior Trail.

At about 11.4 miles, come back to the Big Wood River. Again, it will be impossible not to get wet except in very low water years.

Warm Springs Road lies just on the other side of the river. Take a right and walk about a half mile back to the parking lot.