Idaho Hot Springs Mountain Bike Route - 2014 info thread

[harryonaspot]

This is a partial answer. Most of my group won't ride the singletrack, so after comleting the route, I plan on parking in Stanley and riding back to the start of the Whitecloud singletrack. Then have my car waiting for me. Not ideal,but it will work.

[mathieu]

How accessible are the starting and/or end points for the single track options.  Would it be crazy to do the main loop first and then drive back and do the optional sections?  Is that even possible with low clearance vehicle?

If you look at the single tracks as parts of a small loop, then each of them has at least one point on a paved state road: Secesh on SR-21 near Payette Lake, Eagle's Nest on SR-22 near Cascade, Willow Creek on SR-61 at Featherville and White Cloud on SR-75 at Stanley.

If you look to the points where they connect to main route, the Idaho Atlas from Benchmark Maps makes a distinction between 'unpaved roads' and 'high clearance or 4WD roads'.
Presumably unpaved means roads suitable for low clearance car.
- Secesh : both points on unpaved 412 ;
- Eagle's Nest : start on unpaved 400 ; end on 417B which looks like a 4WD (uncertain ; 3.8 mi towards Cascade is unpaved 417 which becomes paved after 3.1 mi).
- Willow Creek : start on unpaved 268 ; end on unpaved 227, quite near to paved SR-61 at Featherville ;
- White Cloud : start on unpaved 194, close to paved SR-75 ; end on paved SR-75
I guess a brief scrutiny with Google Maps in satellite view will tell you a lot more.

[caseygreene]

All of the start and end points are easily accessed by most 2wd cars in good weather. The end of the Eagle's Nest option could be the exception if you try to access it via 417B. At that point though, its downhill in both directions. So you can easily drop down ether side to meet your vehicle.

[PeteStaehling]

Anyone care to make a prediction of when the main loop will be passable this year?  I am hoping to start mid June.  What do you think the odds are on that being late enough?  My schedule is flexible so I can and will change plans at the last minute if necessary.

[caseygreene]

I think it is one of those years that is too early tell. It may be clear. It may be patchy.

Here is how the snow water data is looking right now: https://www.idwr.idaho.gov/WaterInformation/WaterSupply/SWE/snow_water_maps.htm

At this point, I see the top areas of concern in June on the Main Route being:
- Cape Horn Summit
- Deadwood Summit
- Dollarhide Summit
- Lick Creek Summit

Galena Summit may be covered also, but you can bail-out onto State Route 75 if needed.

[PeteStaehling]

That sounds encouraging.  Since I have a flexible schedule I'll plan for a mid June start and adjust as needed.

[JRA]

Casey,
I have a few friends who are interested in the loop but are not interested riding it self-supported.  Are these roads open to 4WD vehicles as a SAG wagon?  They are all capable riders and experienced campers but they're just not quite up to the idea of riding fully loaded.  I know this style isn't pure bikepacker...but I've got to start somewhere with these folks and I'm hoping this could lead to some interest in self-supported trips for the future.

[caseygreene]

All of the dirt roads on the map are open, and doable, with a 4wd vehicle. There a a few spots where the vehicle will have to make a detour, such as north of Stanley where the route goes on the ATV trail.

Oh, and who cares about alpine-style bikepacking, this route is about having a good time!

[JRA]

Cool, thanks.
And thanks again to you and the ACA for taking on this route.

[harryonaspot]

I have been thinking about tires lately. I have never ridden in Idaho and don't know what the single track is like. I hate to go with a very aggressive knobby on all the dirt roads. I would do. The road only part of the trip on 40 mm Scwalbe Mondial Marathons. But that won't work on the Singletrack very well. Can I get by with a fast hard pack tire like Maxxis Ikon? It will be on a Salsa Fargo.  29er.   Thanks, Harry

[PeteStaehling]

I have been thinking about tires lately. I have never ridden in Idaho and don't know what the single track is like. I hate to go with a very aggressive knobby on all the dirt roads. I would do. The road only part of the trip on 40 mm Scwalbe Mondial Marathons. But that won't work on the Singletrack very well. Can I get by with a fast hard pack tire like Maxxis Ikon? It will be on a Salsa Fargo.  29er.   Thanks, Harry

I'll be interested in any answers that you get.  I was planning to run Kenda Slant Sixes myself, but could be swayed.  I believe that the Slant Six is at least somewhat similar to the Ikon.  I used them on a mixed asphalt and dirt tour and was surprised how well they worked for that.

[Nadine]

Hi everyone,

Looks like a fantastic ride! We plan to ride a large part of the Idaho Hot springs route this summer, from Boise to Mc Call (via Ketchum/Stanley). From McCall we take the Northern Tier to Seattle.

Starting of in Boise probably not very well trained… we are a little worried about the first stretch. We will carrying panniers (and low riders probably). Can anyone give an estimation on how sandy the road Boise - Featherville - Ketchum will be mid/late July?

Same question for Lick Creek Road further up north - towards McCall. From previous rides we know we're not too keen on long heavy sandy patches with a fully loaded bike 

Nadine

[blanchaa]

Any idea how suitable the main loop is for a cross bike?  I'm hoping to go light and fast, and I'm thinking the cross bike will be more efficient. Plan is to pull a BOB with all the gear for two.

[caseygreene]

Totally doable - the caveat being you will be worlds-more comfortable on a mountain bike, and you will probably go faster.

Funny, i just experienced this a few nights ago with a couple friends. 2 of us had bikepacking setups on mountain bikes, and 1 had a touring bike with 47c tires and a BOB. The minute we hit anything remotely rough on this dirt road, he was way way off the back, and hating life. No big deal because we were not going that far, but if we were trying to cover distance, we would have been significantly slower.

I would suggest tire that were at least 2.0, with 2.2 being ideal.

[caseygreene]

Here is some addenda between Featherville and Ketchum:
All routing remains open, but there are a couple of area closures to note. More info and maps can be found here: http://www.fs.usda.gov/land/sawtooth/landmanagement

- The area surrounding the Main Route to the east of Dollarhide Summit is closed. Bicycle travel is restricted to FR 227. All recreation activities in the closure area are not permitted at this time, including camping. This does not affect any hot springs. Reference this map for the closure: http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprd3800701.pdf

- Due to fire damage, Baumgartner Campground and hot springs are closed. They will reopen sometime summer 2014.
Modify message

(ps. I just changed the name of this thread because there is a ton of good info in here for people riding the route in 2014.)

[Aslan]

Casey,

Thanks for the information on the closure.  When do you think the gpx file for the route will be completed and available for download?

[caseygreene]

I was hoping by this past Monday, but now I'm shooting for this next Monday. I'll fire off a post when they are up on our site.

[sirtirithon]

Casey,

I have my map set and I am planning on doing the main route starting early July.  How frequent is water available on the main route? It appears like there are ample streams available but I want to verify. I am planning on bringing 5 water bottles and a empty 3L bladder if things get iffy.  Does this sound adequate given your experience on the route? I wouldnt think it would get to hot given the elevation but im not sure...i want to be prepared. Thanks so much for putting this together, looking forward to it!

[caseygreene]

The great thing about this part of the country is that water is everywhere. I researched all of the singletrack sections with 1.25L water capacity. Just plan well. Before heading up a climb fill your bottles. You'll only need it for the climb, and then you'll bomb downhill to another water source. When you are not on a climb you'll be along a creek or river. I always try to camp near some water source, be it a creek, river, or lake.

I'd bring 2 water bottles and a 1L bladder. Or, just 3 water bottles. If you are running a BOB trailer with the kitchen sink packed, maybe add a liter.

[PeteStaehling]

How much traffic is there on the main loop?  Will I go days without seeing a car or will there be at least a passing jeep or rafting company truck/bus here and there most of the way?

I am really getting anxious to get out to Idaho for this trip.  I may leave Baltimore, MD as soon as this weekend.  I'll take a few days getting to the start and will kill time at lower elevations if snow pack dictates that.  Will the GPS info be out by then?