Great Places to Ride Your Bike in Idaho
Posted on August 28, 2009
Filed Under Fitness |
The Idaho mountains are a wonderful place to go for a biking adventure, and with 19,000+ miles of trails to choose from, there are trails for beginners and experienced riders alike. The best time to bike in Idaho is during summer and fall, because the spring is too wet and muddy and the hard winters make biking nearly impossible. But it’s worth the wait until early summer because the views are fantastic and the trails are awesome.
The Mink Creek Recreation Area near Pocatello has an 11-mile loop called the Valve or Pump House trail. This is a great place for beginners to hone their skills. Theres nothing too technical here, but it will test your endurance. Bring plenty of water.
Elk Mountain near Stanley is a great ride and view of the Saw Tooth Mountains. It is a 12-mile loop that starts out with an easy climb and then rocky descent to Elk Meadows. There are a few stream crossings, but nothing too overtly difficult. Youll enjoy some great scenery all along the ride!
For more fantastic scenery, try the 12 miles of trail by McCall at Goose Creek Falls. This trail, too, involves crossing the creek a few times-via log crossings, on foot, or by bridge-but those are the only significant challenges, so it’s great for beginning riders. Camping is available nearby, too. But the biggest reward is the view of the 45-foot waterfall you’ll encounter on this route.
The Schweitzer Mountain Resort has a fantastic network of trails that are very well maintained. You can climb up yourself or get a ride to enjoy a technically advanced descent. Turns with berms, bridges, and more is what you can expect from the 25 miles of trails here. Experience levels range from intermediate to advanced.
If speed is more your style, head over toward Ketchum to the Bald Mountain Downhill trail. You can climb the hill yourself and tackle this 10-mile loop, but with an elevation gain somewhere between 3,000 and 4,000 feet, you may just want to opt for the $15 chairlift ride to the top. Coming down is an incredible rush! Don’t try this one without a full suspension bike, and you’d better plan ahead by packing extra tubes and a repair kit, because you never know when you’re going to need them. This trail is also open to hikers, and due to the speed, you should be extra cautious when navigating this trail.
The Bear Pete trail near McCall is another burning-kick-in-the-seat-of-the-pants ride! It is approximately 19 miles, but you are rewarded with a hot springs resort at the end and a lot of gorgeous views along the way. The best time to go is in late summer or early fall, when its fairly dry. You will pass through a boggy area and during the wet season it could be practically impassable. Theres a pretty steep climb followed by a tricky descent, but once you get to the top you can see all the way to Oregon and the Saw Tooth Mountains!
Idaho is primarily mountainous, which means that for every mountain there is probably a valley and river, and maybe even a waterfall. This kind of environment is perfect for the adventurous rider. Enjoy this rugged state in all its natural beauty and have a spectacular time riding while you do!
Comments
Leave a Reply