Idaho Hot Springs Direction

[massageranger]

Everyone seems to do this route clockwise.  We are planning a counter clockwise loop starting in Ketchum with the lowman cutoff.  Thoughts?

[nschafcpa]

Don't think it makes much difference.  Mostly because people arrive from the Boise side and do what's natural

[BoblinTaywhistle]

The lady and I did it CCW last summer/fall, starting in Boise, primarily because we got a late start and wanted the option of doing Lowman if the weather turned ugly, while still seeing the Sawtooths.  I was very glad we chose that direction, after riding it.  The "multi-use trail" leaving Ketchum was a bit of a bummer, since it's clearly dominated by equestrian traffic, but up and over Galena and descending into the Sawtooth valley is drop dead gorgeous.  Also, you'll have the benefit of a slight downhill on the Lowman Cutoff, which I would think is preferable.  That'll help you conserve energy for the epic climb out of Idaho City!  Enjoy!

[Colleenann61]

This is probably too late, but I did IHSMBR clockwise starting in McCall the first two weeks of July. Everyone I met was going CCW (I saw cyclists everyday). They all said I was the first cyclist they had seen. Even when I met the same people on the other side, they still said they hadn't seen anyone else going clockwise. Except for the climb up Bald Mountain (then down into Idaho City). I think the climbs were easier going clockwise (particularly Deadwood Summit).