Description

Pioneer Cabin is a popular hike near Sun Valley which also makes a great trail run, if you don’t mind a steep and sustained ascent.

The scenery is a mix of shady forest, ridgetop meadows, and dramatic vistas to the Pioneer Mountains.

The historic cabin and it’s alpine backdrop make the aesthetic highlight, but every mile of this loop is sure to impress.

You should expect some hiking crowds on summer and fall weekends, especially on the Pioneer Cabin Trail portion of the loop. As mapped here in the counterclockwise direction, the Pioneer Cabin Trail is used for ascent.

It’s rather steep but largely in the shade, and also well traveled and well maintained.

You could instead go the other way for a longer and more gradual, but more sun-exposed climb on Long Gulch Trail. Sources: https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/sawtooth/null/recarea/?recid=5829&actid=50 https://www.visitsunvalley.com/summer/hiking-in-sun-valley-idaho-a-summer-guide/