West Fork of Prairie Creek Trail is a 3.1 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Ketchum, Idaho that features a river and is rated as moderate. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, nature trips, and bird watching and is best used from April until September. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.
DO NOT TAKE THIS TRAIL. It is impassable after just a few 100 yards. There is a heavy rock slide that is dangerous to try and cross. We tried going down to the creek and getting across but again, totally impassable. The climb down is not clear and there is brush, thorns and lots of areas to break an ankle. This needs to be cleared on taken off the trail map before someone gets seriously hurt - nothing moderate about it - dangerous unless you are an extreme hiker that wants to blaze your own trail.
Like the previous review we went to the right and hit the rocks and were not able to go farther. We returned and went to the left instead. Scenic hike but in late July the trail was filled with mosquitoes. Bring bug spray.
When you get to the trailhead facing the posted map and registry, take the trail on the right if you want to run into a rock slide and not find your way through like we did. So we went back. Back at the trailhead (facing the map) if you take the trail to the left, you’ll find a lovely hike through forest, and meadows. THIS was the hike I read about in Sun Valley Mag and the one I actually set out to do. At around mile 1.6 you reach a gravel beach along the river and it’s a great turn-around spot if you don’t want to continue on to the lakes.