Little Dog Creek Trail


 

Difficulty:  Strenuous        Trail Use:   Light

Length:     6 miles from jct with Dog Cr Trail #4069 to upper jct with Dog Cr Trail, .5 miles to jct with Pup Cr Trail #4071

Elevation:    6340 ft at start, 6547 at jct with Pup Cr Trail, 8420 ft at jct with upper Dog Cr Trail

Open to:  Hikers, Equestrian, Mt Bikes

Trail Highlights:

  • This trail begins at an unmarked junction off the Dog Cr Trail in a meadow after the 2nd stream crossing.  There is an old sign in a tree but its hard to see.  It is an obvious junction however.  The trail heads up the hill to the right, climbing steeply with nice views up the Dog Cr drainage.
  • The trail then crosses across a large open slope and drops down into the Little Dog Cr drainage.  The junction for Pup Cr Trail is marked by a sign in a tree.  Head straight to go up Pup Cr or take a left to head up Little Dog Cr.
  • The trail follows the creek, winding through aspen forest for several miles.  It begins to climb until reaching a high upper saddle which is also the upper junction for Pup Cr.  The trail heads to the left here into the woods.
  • It then makes its way through several sections of dense forest until popping out on an exposed ridgeline.  The wildflowers are amazing here in the summer.  The trail continues to climb and follows the ridge for several miles until finally dropping into the headwaters of Dog Cr.  The trail is very faint in this area but has been marked with posts here and there.  There is water here but can be very little especially in dry years.

Options:

  • If you take the first junction for the Pup Cr Trail, you can follow Pup Cr all the way up to the upper saddle and come down the Little Dog Cr Trail.
  • You can loop the Dog Cr and Little Dog Cr trails fairly easily but is best done in an overnight trip.

Important Information

  • The upper portions of this trail are in high alpine meadows and the actual trail can be hard to find.  Have a good map and know your route well..
  • There is not very much available water once on the ridge.  Plan accordingly.
  • This trail is on the USGS quad map for Munger Mountain and Observation Peak..
  • Always check the posted information at the kiosks for maps, updated material on forest regulations and closures.

At a Glance

Current Conditions: Call Tim Farris, Trail Supervisor @ 307-739-5414 for current trail conditions.

General Information

Directions:

 

  •  From Jackson, follow Hwy 89 South approximately 12 miles. Bear right at Hoback junction and continue along the Snake River. Once past the road junction for Fall Cr. Road and Cottonwood Work Center on the right, you will see a Caribou-Targhee National Forest sign on the right. Immediately past this sign is a small dirt road leading off to the right. The road veers to the right and crosses a small bridge but this road is in terrible condition due to Dog Cr. washing it out every spring, therefore it is best to park before the bridge where the road forks.
  • Walk along the road over the bridge and up into the Dog Cr. drainage where you will see a large outfitter camp with horse corrals. The trail begins at the end of the dirt road next to the information kiosk.

Parking:

During hunting season, please park below the outfitter camp.


Recreation Map

Map showing recreational areas. Map Information

Activities

Mountain Biking

Day Hiking

Backpacking

Horse Camping

Horse Riding

Big Game Hunting