Returned from a three week trip to Idaho a few days ago and have unpacked enough to put together a a quick report. I apologize for the hyperlinked pics. Our first stop leaving so cal whether going to Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, and now Idaho, is always Duck Creek. As long as you skip duck creek days in late July the area is fantastic. Fishing, caves, hiking and of course single track. The two rides I recommend are the Virgin Rim Trail and the Navajo Lake Loop. I skipped the virgin this time because I had a lot of miles to get to the sawtooths, but a quick loop around Navajo Lake was a treat. Sorry no pics of this one...thunderstroms kept my phone in my pack. We drove the next day to get into idaho and made our way through Sun Valley and found a campsite at Redfish Lake in the Sawtooths. Redfish Lake is few miles outside the town of Stanley(population 63). Some folks on mtbr recommended the lake as a base and we happened upon a secluded site above the lake and decided to park our trailer there for a week. We had the place to ourselves for the first part due to some weather, but when it cleared up people from twin falls and boise flock to the lake and it becomes the kind of place we were trying to escape from. Redfish lodge offers a variety of services and music from 4 to 8 on their lawn. There is a single track that goes around the lake but lots a deadfall and really rough trail. There was another trail, Fishhook Trail, although short was super fun. https://goo.gl/photos/pjvifmms62Qt762u5 The next trail was the Elk Mountain Loop. This trail starts at Stanley Lake. It climbs a fire road for about 2 miles then it drops on an rocky single track to a incredible flowy singletrack that winds its way through meadows, Aspen, logde pole pines before making its way back to the trail head. 11 miles 1000 ft elev. https://goo.gl/photos/yfE4Mv5qP1BA5uz58 https://goo.gl/photos/nFsHX3Wiz1FFTfwB6 https://goo.gl/photos/UFZTzuEKvpSHnH1YA My favorite trail was the Fisher Creek/Williams Creek loop. Most people do this as a shuttle but I wanted to pedal so I rode the forest service road up to the top of the single track. The area burned in 2002. The top was a bit desolate and dry kitty litter soil, but when the trail went back into the forest untouched by the fire it was unbelievable. I was getting not only tired but kinda board of cruising at 20+ miles an hour on single track that seemed endless. 17 miles 2500 ft https://goo.gl/photos/DtNxccekx9tKu1k39 https://goo.gl/photos/JNpjDiYLQckYtfFe6 https://goo.gl/photos/Byz2TPnartwGugFe7 https://goo.gl/photos/L8yXbKYAgF7QqRAV8 https://goo.gl/photos/Ek2iC4sESgTirpw56 We left REdfish but weren't ready to head home so we spent another 4 night at the Casino Creek Campground. I didn't know it at the time but it turns out this was also the trail head to another epic loop. The Casino Lake Loop. Both trails start/end at the campground. The ride goes up little casino casino and comes down big casino. It climbs up into the White Cloud Wilderness and offers jawdropping views of the sawtooths. The climb was not fun. 2 hours of rough rocky loose exposed trail and nothing but false summits. Then it opens up and you get to enjoy the fruits of your efforts. 20 miles, 3000ft, 5 1/2 hours. https://goo.gl/photos/oUxNU3JuRrVuVjfC7 Besides some pronghorns, osprey, deer, and a few bald eagles, we didn't see a lot of wildlife. Saw lots a Elk Scat and heard about bear and wolves in the area bit none sighted. A couple of tips for those who might venture their in the future. Redfish lakes gets crowded and has little trail options. Altruis Lake, Stanley Lake, and Casino Creek would be a better choice unless your traveling with you wakeboard and ski boat. The Stanley Bakery and Cafe will offer you a meal that will make you come back again and again. Finally, there are hotsprings in the area. Avoid the crowds, 1 mile south of the Salmon Campground, there is a kettle, yes a kettle sitting on the side of the salmon river that is fed by a natural hotspring. Fo for a ride, Grab a 6 pack of Sockeye IPA, and enjoy. I want to give my new ride a shoutout. A week before we were suppose to leave I noticed a crack in my seat tube of my Ventana El Rey. That has been my steady ride for the last five. I actually sold a yeti I had for back up last month. I test road everything that wasn't made by special ed and settled on a Kona Process 111. I wasn't too sold on it but I was desperate. I was really skeptical about going 1x11 and thought I would break the lever trying to find another gear. This has been my favorite ride since I first through a leg over my fist stumpjumper in 1987. The short chain stays and stem took some getting used to but I am a Kona fan now. https://goo.gl/photos/2snjxBwuA6nQcM1T7 Happy Trails
Kick ass reportage! You plundered the goods up there, nice work. I've wanted to ride in the Sawtooths since I've heard about it. Now even more... Nice bike! Cheers and beers.
might loose access We are about to lose access to many of those trails if Simpson's SNRA+ Bill (S.583) passes the Senate . It passed the House already (HR.1138). Write or Call your Senators! Idaho Express article People for Bikes White Cloud form letter IMBA Alert Page TrailForks Map of the area...trails to be closed include Antz Basin, Chamberlain, Castle Divide.
yep yep the good news... the trails above are still open the bad news....the high country loops like ants basin are closed to mtbs.
