Idaho Hot Springs, North or South loop?

[mbc3]

We are planning on doing part of the Idaho Hot Springs Route this summer and are deciding between the North or the South loop with the Lowman Cut-off. Which loop is better if you can only do one?

Thanks.

Matt

[chrisd]

Both loops have great options. I would prefer to travel past the Sawtooths if you have never seen them before, but you'll have to check what's going on with FR227 from Featherville to Ketchum and decide if you want to take on the challenge. Not sure how it looks this year but it was quite the feat last year . Check out temporary road closures thread from last year to get a better idea of what you're in for if you take the southern loop. If the issues mentioned on the thread are still prevalent and you want something not so adventurous, than I would stick with the northern loop which is also beautiful. Enjoy!

[kristensoup]

i have done the northern loop twice and the southern loop once and like the northern loop- i agree that the section east of featherville was quite the hike a bike last year- i really liked the section north of warm lake and also lick creek area-the lowman cutoff is not without it's charm- we prefered to do it from west to east and then soak up t he downhills on dirt elsewhere- many hot springs and camp grounds along lowman road. 

[abqhelios]

Hi.  I am planning on doing the Idaho Hot Springs Ride in starting September 17.  I only have 9 days so I can't do the whole thing.  I would like to ride the lower section...but I cant find much information on the road wash out on FR 227 (there is not much on the Adventure Cycling web site and most of the information on other postings is not very recentd.)  Anyone have an update on that section of this ride.
Thanks,
Jim   

[kristensoup]

here is info from a friend who had had his motorcycle in his area-"I was on usfs rd 227, june 25th this year. the road is a near total wash out from Skelton (east of Baumgartner) to Bowns campground near the Smoky Bar Store. about 6-7 miles of f$@&ed with a river crossing on the east end"

there was a facebook  page for the smoky bar store when i was looking for info last year-maybe check there? will you please post what you find? i have noticed that there is nothing new about the loop his year too

have a great trip-.this is one of my favorite places to ride!

[JHamelman]

Hi.  I am planning on doing the Idaho Hot Springs Ride in starting September 17.  I only have 9 days so I can't do the whole thing.  I would like to ride the lower section...but I cant find much information on the road wash out on FR 227 (there is not much on the Adventure Cycling web site and most of the information on other postings is not very recentd.)  Anyone have an update on that section of this ride.
Thanks,
Jim

At the last map update in November 2017, there was no new information available on the status of FR 227. On the new maps we advise calling the Fairfield Ranger District (208-764-3202) to get the status for the time you plan to ride. This is also mentioned in the Map Updates & Corrections for the 2014 map version.


Best,
Jennifer

[kristensoup]

Hi.  I am planning on doing the Idaho Hot Springs Ride in starting September 17.  I only have 9 days so I can't do the whole thing.  I would like to ride the lower section...but I cant find much information on the road wash out on FR 227 (there is not much on the Adventure Cycling web site and most of the information on other postings is not very recentd.)  Anyone have an update on that section of this ride.
Thanks,
Jim

there are also alternative roads that would bypass this section of the route- i believe there are descriptions of those alternatives in posts from last year-