Storied Trail
Hike Proctor Mountain Trail in Sun Valley Idaho
If ever there was a fairy trail, this 6.8-mile lollipop loop on Sun Valley’s Proctor Mountain is it. The Proctor Mountain Trail is a storied route in more ways than one, starting with its tranquil oasis memorial for a famous writer, Ernest Hemingway (who is buried at the Ketchum Cemetery).
Summer features sea-foam-colored hills flowing in alpine wildflowers, especially the yellow vibrance of the black-eyed Susan. Monarch butterflies flit across your path, and aspens and evergreens bring whimsy (and much-needed shade on hot days!). It’s the glorious mountain-to-valley scenery that really soars here, though you’ve gotta work for the panoramic payoff!
This hike is a challenge, especially if you’re not acclimated yet to the altitude (we say this from experience!). In other words, you may be huffing and puffing too much to belt out a beautiful song while you twirl in ecstasy … but the panorama of mountains is breathtaking on its own. The trail starts at the Ernest Hemingway Memorial and slips alongside matcha-colored slopes festooned in florals, up to features like a small old cabin and the site of the world’s first chairlift.
We recommend doing this loop counterclockwise, which means you’ll have to climb, steeply in some parts, but then enjoy a gentler descent and, in our view, better panoramas on the ridge, easily the highlight (you’ll know it when you walk it). Solid golden.
BONUS EATS: Post-hike we pretty much guarantee you’re going to be hungry, and you might start feeling grumpy if you don’t eat. Beeline for Grumpy’s, a favorite for locals and visitors alike. This isn’t just any Grumpy’s, it’s the original—unassumingly, and unabashedly, tucked in Ketchum. Head into the small roadside-style bar and restaurant to find the cure for all that “ales” you (fresh, cold beer!) and satisfy your appetite too (hamburgers, chili cheese fries, and their popular corndog). Grab a picnic table on their enclosed outdoor patio and devour your tasty meal.
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Park at the Hemingway Memorial lot on Sun Valley Rd. We recommend hiking counterclockwise. Bring a map. Be sure to be acclimated to the elevation before doing this hike. Dog-friendly.
