Hiking the White Clouds Valley View Trail (in Sun Valley, Idaho)
While slowly adventuring around Sun Valley, Idaho, one of the easiest ways for me to get outside in this mountain town (when I don’t want to go too far) is to hike the White Clouds Valley View Trail. This trail is so easy that I enjoy hiking it in all kinds of weather.
I start this little trek from where I’m staying, which is usually in Ketchum. This means I typically reach the trailhead by walking toward Sun Valley, along the Sun Valley Road pedestrian path, for about a mile. The White Clouds Valley View Trail trailhead is across the road from the Sun Valley Lodge.
I love the peace and simplicity of this little hike.
This trail is rugged enough to meet my sensory needs. It’s wide enough to allow another to pass. It can be fairly rocky in places. One is exposed to the sun most of the year. In winter weather, I use my stainless boot grippers on snow and ice. Yet, it always feels like the easiest and shortest hike in Sun Valley, Idaho.
The exact elevation reports vary, depending on which map I’m viewing. So, the next time I head out there, I’ll verify the elevation on my phone app. Until then, it appears that the base of this trail sits at about 5975’ elevation, and the top reaches about 6093’. That’s only about 100’ of elevation gain on this little trail—a relaxing hike.
And the scenic views.
This trail reveals beautiful sky and surrounding nature throughout the entire hike.
Almost near the top, this is where the trail begins to reveal incredible 360-degree views of the Wood River Valley. Bald Mountain (Baldy) begins to appear straight ahead.
Here, at the top of White Clouds Valley View Trail, is the beautiful view to the west. On the very left edge of this photo, the lush greenery is weaving its way up the valley to Warm Springs Lodge and Warm Springs Trail. The mountain to the left is Adams Gulch. The mountain to the right (with the double hump) is Griffin Butte, with the incredible Lake Creek Trails at its base.
Looking north, in the far distance, we see the Boulder Mountains, which are more than 11,000’ in elevation and are part of the Rocky Mountains. Closer in, more local hiking trails are visible—trails that connect to this Valley View Trail we’ve been hiking.
The lovely view to the south shows from where we came. On the left are the green trees of Sun Valley. Up the winding hill, the Elkhorn area begins to appear. Strait ahead is Dollar Mountain. To the right—behind the brown sledding hill—more lush greenery reveals a bit of Ketchum and Bald Mountain (furthest right). And, somehow, every time we stand here, the wind begins to whip up … and swirl all around.