Hiking the Proctor Mountain Trail (in Sun Valley, Idaho)

We hiked the Proctor Mountain Trail in Sun Valley, Idaho, in May, which allowed us to enjoy all the rolling hues of green that can sometimes feel sparse the rest of the year here.

We began this hike by walking to the Ernest Hemingway Memorial (from where we were lodging in Sun Valley, ID). One can also park at the Hemingway Memorial, then hike from there.

We followed the trailhead down and around the Hemingway Memorial, down and along a small open area, after which we crossed a wooden bridge straddling Trail Creek.

From that point forward, the hike was mostly uphill.

I would call it a moderate hike (3-4 miles), starting at about 6,000’ above sea level, gaining about 1,000’ in elevation, and topping out at about 7,000’ above sea level.

Sometimes I acclimate right away to this elevation, sometimes it takes a week or so. So I took it easy until I could feel how I’d be impacted. There may have been huffing and puffing.

While hiking, the weather blew through, just enough to keep the heat off. I might have been the only one who found that coolness enjoyable.

Moments of cloud-darkened and wind-whipped skies turned the greenery greener and even blue. Of course, sunshine and blue skies did not disappoint—they dutifully reappeared.

I think the easiest way to hike the Proctor Mountain Trail is counterclockwise. That way, the steepest part (to me) becomes the downhill part of the hike.

I also think counterclockwise is the prettiest way to enjoy this hike—with views of Bald Mountain mostly in front of my eyes as I hike. It’s how I hiked it the very first time.

But that’s not how we hiked it this time, which has left me slightly disoriented. So I literally feel like I need to hike it again soon, counterclockwise, to reverse this disorientation.

The beautiful aspen tree grove was a delight to see again. I loved walking with the conifers. And we passed by what some people believe are the remains of the world's first chair lift.

We also navigated a remaining avalanche of snow, ice, and swept-away trees still covering a section of the trail. (We could have used our trekking poles, for sure, on this hike.)

A Mountain Bluebird and a few wildflowers even reared their heads.

And I could not believe the trail runner who passed us twice—running the entire steep hike—happy as she could be. She must have been at least 65 years old … and I am still in awe.