Idaho Hot Springs MBR - travel report - July 2016

[bikebaker]

Going solo end of June, start of July. CW from Boise, using cutoff, no single-track. IS Dollarhide still snow-bound? If so,
anyone know detours to the south? Can I safely forgo carrying water filter or bear spray? thanks-

[CMajernik]

I suggest you call the ranger district on the national forest to check conditions over Dollar Hide. The map will have the phone number. I will try to contact a local whom I've corresponded with before to see if he knows how the snow pack is melting.

[Pilotpeat]

I emailed the FS through the Sawtooth National Forest website yesterday (June 16th) about Dollarhide Summit.  Julie Thomas, Public Affairs Officer replied:

"I am told that Dollarhide is open as of today"


Pete

[bikebaker]

great news! thanks...

[CMajernik]

My local contact says:
We rode up to the summit of dollarhide today, Sunday.  We went all of the way to the summit from the Ketchum side.   We also spoke with a couple of people in pick up trucks.  Looks like the summit is open!!!  There appears to be some snow and wet spots on the west side (Fairfield side) but looks like you can get around them.  The creeks have cleared up and are in good shape.  So game on!!!   Enjoy and be safe. BTW the ride was real nice.

[bikebaker]

Hi everyone- got back from 9 days of great riding, solo lower half of the route, CW & using the Lowman cut-off. Wanted to share a few things for anyone as green as me & following:
Rented hard-tail Trek from Idaho Mtn Touring in Boise, good deal. Bring cleaner/lubricant for dusty roads. Bring small water filter & better-then-you-thought-you-needed sleeping bag (it's cold at night!).
Hot Springs NOT to miss: Sacajewea (off route), Pine Flats, Worswick, Loftus.
Route at top of Galena Summit (going South) is very murky -I took road down to Lodge.
Rock-slide east of Featherville is passable, but be prepared for half-mile of walking/carrying bike over rocky terrain.
There's a newly-reopened bar at Big Smokey, east of same rock-slide, with limited drinks & snacks. Nice folks.
Next time I might want to avoid Fourth of July RV & Winnebago invasion. Featherville has great cafe, not to miss.
It was awesome! Worth every steep switchback. Going back for more, someday. Thanks to the trail blazers & map makers...