Fill up on water when you can …

The Idaho Centennial Trail follows many creeks and rivers in some areas, and travels along high dry ridges in others, so it will behoove ICT travelers to plan to carry plenty of water during the trip.

Water from springs, creeks or rivers should be treated to avoid getting the deadly giardia parasite and its resulting maladies. Use a water pump or other treatments to ensure that your water is safe to drink.

In the southern portion of the trail in the high desert, the trail follows a high plateau above the Jarbidge River. Because the canyon has sheer vertical walls, it is extremely difficult to get down into the river except when a side draw provides access. You will see a few side creeks on the map.

Another approach is to hide and cache water along the desert route (in advance) so you don’t have to climb down into the Jarbidge River canyon. Stock users will need to cache more significantly more water than hikers to keep their animals watered.

North of the Snake River, as the route moves into the mountains and the national forests, pay attention to whether the trail travels along creeks or travels on high ridges. In general, the trail has good access to water from points north of U.S. 20 to the Sawtooths and throughout the Sawtooth Range.

The same is true in the southern portion of the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness, south of the Salmon River. After you cross the Salmon, however, the trail does climb on high ridges in several areas leading up to Dry Saddle. In portions of the route in the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness, and along the Bitterroots on the Idaho-Montana border, the trail follows high ridges for grand views, but water will be scarce.

Farther into northern Idaho, water generally becomes more available north of Clark Fork. Watch the map as you are planning your adventure to be sure that you don’t run short of water when you need it most.