IDHSMBR -Idaho Hot Springs Mountain Bike Route - June 2017

[shannonpaul]

With attachments, crossing the rockslides...

[shannonpaul]

With attachements, crossing the creek washouts...

[dabell]

Hello IDHSMBR adventure riders-
           I just returned from clearing a path around the Bowns Campground blowout.  The trail is on the south side of Big Smoky Creek (which was the road bed formally known as The 227).   The water level has dropped considerably since chrisdemers 5-31 post.  The Bowns trail is about 200 yards long, between the creek and a beaver raceway.  To paraphrase the Gerry Rafferty and Joe Egan song: ‘water to the left of me, water to the right of me, here I am stuck in the middle with my bike…’ The trail is narrow in a couple places with some willow stubs waiting to mess you up.  As with walking in general, mind your footing.
           If you have ridden/walked to here from the Featherville, you will have already experienced watching geology at work and the Bowns Bypass will be a piece of cake.  On the other hand or pedal if you will, coming from the east, have your dessert first and the Brussels sprouts later…
   After a cold beer from the Smoky Bar Store I rode/walked the 10 miles from Bowns to Skeleton Creek through all 4 hike-a-bikes in just over an hour and half.  I should note, the bike was not loaded but I was. Thank you SMM for posting the adventurous Skeleton Creek option.

Ride hard,
Dave

[Dirt]

Bike Choice Question: 

I'm planning on riding from Boise to Ketchum late in August in order to ride Rebecca's Private Idaho grand fondo, Labor Day weekend.  That ride is best done on a gravel bike.  If I'm carrying by bike across the washed out areas, it shouldn't matter if I'm carrying a gravel bike or a mountain bike. 

My plan before reading about these washouts was to ride a drop-bar gravel bike with 700x45mm tires, with a relatively light load of bikepacking gear. 

I also have a drop-bar bikepacking bike with 29x3" tires or a flat-bar mountain bike with 29x3" tires. 

I'd REALLY prefer to have the gravel bike when I get to Ketchum.  If making it through these washouts isn't possible with that bike, I'll take one of the fatter-tired options. 

Thanks for the info!

Pete

[shannonpaul]

I just returned from clearing a path around the Bowns Campground blowout.  The trail is on the south side of Big Smoky Creek

dabell - we could have used that path ~2 weeks ago when we tried our crossing!  ;-)  We attempted to go around that south side but ran into way too much brush and willows to get through.  We ended up crossing onto the gravel island and then back to the road (coming from the west).

Do you have any pictures of the path around the Bowns Campground blowout?  I would love to see what it looks like after you cleared a path.

Thanks!

[dabell]

Hi shannonpaul,  I read your post on your adventure and wished I'd been a pruner sooner.  When I scouted the Fleck/Skeleton detour https://caltopo.com/m/7CGE in mid-July, the Big Smokey seemed much bigger with no way around.  You and the family made it through, that's an accomplishment that you all will never forget!

I took a bunch of images (at least two rolls/24 exposure each).  But when I was driving home over Dollarhide I realized I didn't take a single picture of my laborious task.  I was thinkin' of sending an email to Kaylin at https://www.facebook.com/SmokyBarStore and see if she will click an image or two. Otherwise, I will go back for some more riding and a photo shoot.

I do have an image (below) of what my legs looked like after the gardening if that helps.  The image may not be appropriate for viewers with a weak stomach, look away if you feel queasy.  In the mean time, visualize all those willows on the south bank hacked back two to three feet and how nice that would have been to walk there ~2 weeks ago instead of the creek.   Mission accomplished, ride this way--->

Be well,
dabell

[CMajernik]

Thanks to everyone here who is posting about re-routes and giving ample descriptions and photos of what it's like to follow FR 227. This helps the cyclists who ride after you. We, here in the office, refer cyclists to these posts. Much appreciated.

[ekoostick]

Does anyone know the current state of the Harriman Trail? A buddy and I are starting the route next weekend going counterclockwise out of McCall. We are planning on doing the Eagle's Nest and Atlanta singletrack sections in our 2 week adventure. Thanks!

[shannonpaul]

The Harriman Trail should be the least of your worries.  It is a multi-use trail that tends to be well maintained.  It was under water in several places in late July, but you can easily re-direct yourself out to State Highway 75 which parallels the Harriman.  Water may be lower now, so you may be able to ride the whole thing.  Don't skip it:  it's a great trail with magnificent views of the Boulder Mountains to the east (picture of my family riding it is attached below).

Eagle's Nest and Atlanta single track may present more challenges.  These are more traditional single-track trails that suffer from downed trees (deadfall) and rocky technical sections.  Eagles Nest gets more traffic and should be OK, but I haven't ridden it in a while.  Atlanta section (Willowcreek) is bound to have deadfall and very technical trail, or so I have heard.

Bottom line:  Harriman is some of the best "trail" riding you will find on the IDHSMBR.  The other single track options will prevent more challenges.

[ekoostick]

Thank you shannonpaul! I haven't read a blog yet where the riders have ridden the 2 singletrack sections so I was wondering about that. I've ridden Eagle's Nest a few times from the Warm Lake Rd so hopefully that will be straightforwardish as we will be on hardtail 29er's with no trailers. I've never been down Atlanta way but we are planning a few days to get from Cottonwood CG to Ketchum area. Hopefully the Beaver Lodge is still open as we will plan to get a hot meal and a beer there. The most recent ID Hot Springs loop blog on crazyguyonabike warned of the Harriman trail being closed so was just checking to see what condition it was in. We are pretty excited to hit the trail!

[freeski1057]

Thanks shannonpaul & dabell for reports and especially for trail work!  I'm planning on riding the section from Idaho City to Ketchum in a couple of weeks and this info is very helpful; sounds like what used to be FS road 227 is now passable though still challenging.  Since this is the Idaho HOT SPRINGS route I'm wondering what the state of the springs are along this section?  Any additional beta on this section of the route (Idaho City to Featherville & then Featherville to Ketchum) as well as on the hot springs appreciated.