Salmo-Priest Wilderness Loop
~3 days · 16.9 mi · moderate · Loop
Quick facts
What the Salmo-Priest Wilderness Loop is known for
A 17-mile loop through the Salmo-Priest Wilderness in northeast Washington, home to some of the last old-growth forest in the western Cascades including stands of ancient western red cedar, western larch, and ponderosa pine. The route combines the Salmo Basin Trail, Shedroof Divide Trail, and Salmo Divide Trail, passing through grizzly bear habitat and offering views across the Selkirk Mountains into Idaho and British Columbia. Primitive camping is available in the Salmo Basin and along the Shedroof Divide.
Elevation profile
Elevation ranges from 13,573 ft to 21,161 ft over 16.9 mi. Measured from OSM geometry (approximate).
- Uphill 9.2 mi · 54%
- Downhill 7.4 mi · 44%
- Flat 0.3 mi · 2%
Ridgefold breaks every route into uphill, downhill, and flat — see the full per-day breakdown in the app.
How hard is the Salmo-Priest Wilderness Loop?
On the Ridgefold Difficulty Index, the Salmo-Priest Wilderness Loop scores 25/100, a relative rating across the 569 trails we've mapped, blending distance, elevation gain, and steepness. It is a comparison within our set, not an official rating.
Frequently asked questions
How many days does the Salmo-Priest Wilderness Loop take?
Most backpackers hike the Salmo-Priest Wilderness Loop in about 3 days (2 nights out) over its 16.9 miles, though pace varies with fitness and conditions.
How much elevation gain is on the Salmo-Priest Wilderness Loop?
The Salmo-Priest Wilderness Loop climbs roughly 4,081 ft total — about 241 ft per mile, topping out near 6,453 ft.
Related trails
Sources & attribution
Route geometry and stats derived from OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL) — source relation. Stats are approximate and may differ from official surveys; permit rules and conditions change — verify with the managing authority before your trip. Last reviewed July 2026.