Fall Creek Valley lies in Sun Valley’s Pioneer Mountains, east of town beyond Trail Creek Summit. To reach the trailhead, drive east from Ketchum over the summit, past Kane Creek Road, and turn right onto Copper Basin Road. Continue straight, ignoring the left turn to Copper Basin, and cross the bridge over Wildhorse Creek. Shortly after the bridge, turn left at the sign indicating access to Moose Lake and Fall Creek Valley. The road is passable for passenger vehicles.
Fall Creek Canyon is among Idaho’s most stunning and secluded alpine basins. Framed by a glacial valley with three tributary siblings, the view of its towering 11,000-foot wall is breathtaking for those who make the effort. Access is restricted to foot and horseback only—no mountain bikes permitted. Apparently, bikers and horses don’t mix well here.
🚶 Trailhead Features
- A short wheelchair-accessible trail leads to a scenic waterfall.
- Moose Lake and Lower Surprise Valley Lake are reachable via established trails.
- Beyond these, navigation becomes more rugged—Upper Surprise Valley Lake is accessed by broken trail, and Betty and Goat Lake valleys require a strenuous off-trail effort.
🌄 Lakes & Fishing
- Ten mountain lakes lie in hanging valleys, offering alpine landscapes seen by few.
- Lower and Upper Moose Lakes yield excellent brook trout fishing.
- Angle Lake is populated with rainbows and a few California golden trout.
- Fall Creek Lake 1 holds a small population of goldens.
- Because natural reproduction is limited, trout from Angle Lake and Fall Creek Lake 1 should be released.
- Effective patterns include streamers, woolly buggers, and midges.
- ⚠️ Note: The upper reaches of Fall Creek are fishless—true to its name.
🧗 Climbing & Ski History
- Standhope Peak and The Angles Perch rise above the valley and offer alpine climbing opportunities.
- While I’ve never skied in Fall Creek Valley, a rumored first descent of Standhope Peak’s north wall may have occurred in the early 1950s, courtesy of Sun Valley’s Alpine Touring Ski School.
Angles Perch / Moose Lake
Summit Angles Perch
Surprise Valley Wildflowers at 10,000 feet
Fall Creek Valley
Surprise Valley Lake
Fall Creek Valley