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Imperial Gulch #315
Details (4/26/2024)
Status: Closed
Difficulty: Advanced
Uses: Mt Biking & Hiking & Equestrian & Motorcycle & eBikes
Length: 6 miles
Start: 5,913'
End: 7,114'
Min: 5,913'
Max: 7,494'
Gain: 2,199'
Loss: -1,003'
Elevation Profile
// track pieces: 3203, // elevation pieces: 3203
Trailhead Forecast (4/26/2024)
Description / Access Information
Imperial Gulch #315: 
The trail climbs steadily through rolling terrain along the north side of the Deer Creek divide.  It is a great hike or ride in either direction with excellent views of the Pioneer Mountains. Give Imperial some extra time to dry in the springtime and following rains, as it has areas with high clay content soils, which become very sticky and slick when wet. Help keep this gem in good shape.

Much of the Greenhorn Gulch drainage burned in recent fires, but the trails in the area are on the rebound. Repair and restoration efforts by the Forest Service, Wood River Trails Coalition, Wood River Land Trust, and other partners and volunteers with the Ketchum Ranger District were carried out during the summer of 2014. The trails were reopened after an intensive season of rebuilding.

The rebuilding of the Imperial Trail included many hours of hard work by volunteers with the Boy Scouts of America, Youth Corp Crews, Sage School students, trail coalition volunteers and other volunteers from the community. The Ketchum Ranger District Trail Crew put in weeks of work; leading the building, and coordinating the volunteers.


Directions:
From Ketchum, head south on Highway 75, or the paved Wood River Trail, for 5.5 miles to the Greenhorn/East Fork Road at the stoplight. Head right/west for 3.7 miles to the end of the Greenhorn Road at the FS Greenhorn Trailhead.

From Hailey, head north on the highway or the path. Its 5.5 miles to the Greenhorn/East Fork Road at the stoplight. Head left/west for 3.7 miles to the end of the Greenhorn Road at the FS Greenhorn Trailhead.

From the trailhead the Imperial Trail #315 is accessed by following the Greenhorn Trail #156 south from the parking area. The Greenhorn Trail immediately crosses the creek over two footbridges and then bends west to quickly gain the Imperial Trail on the left/south.

Once on Imperial, you will find that the trail climbs up for a ways through the trees before breaking out into the open and cresting. This saddle marks your entrance into the Imperial drainage. The trails drops from the saddle before the real climbing begins. The trails grade, and the surroundings it passes through change continually.

If you are climbing up Imperial you get several brief but welcome breaks along the way, brief being the key word here. If you are going the other way, having climbed up Greenhorn to get to the other end of Imperial, or come over some other way, a descent along the Imperial Trail definitely involves some climbing too. Traveling west to east on Imperial actually involves a lot of climbing. Check out the trails profile for as an aid in understanding why this is so.


For more detailed descriptions, topo maps, and information on the history, geology, and wildflowers of the Wood River Valley pick up a copy of Exploring Sun Valley online or find it at one of several local shops.