Elk Creek MT

Top of the Hogan Cr Trail.

CDT becomes singletrack at Gibbons Pass.

Elk Creek has a good singletrack trail along it's length that can be ridden as part of two loops. If ridden up, the climb is relatively gentle.  If ridden down, it can be as fast as you want.  There are a few water crossings but overall this trail is A-1 fun.  Elk Creek flows into Trail Creek and is accessed from MT43 about 5 miles east of the Chief Joseph Pass.

The Hogan Loop climbs Elk Creek Trail, then joins Road 1295 for 1/2mi, descends Hogan Creek Trail then follows Trail Creek Road to complete the loop.  This loop is about 11 miles and has 1100' of vertical.  Ride this loop in either direction, but know that Hogan Creek Trail is steep.
--Download the Hogan Loop GPX file for your GPS here .--

CDT to Elk Creek is the other loop and is 20 miles with about 2000' of vertical.  This loop seems best to ride Trail Creek Road first, as a warmup, to Gibbons Pass.  Then join the Continental Divide Trail and finish by heading down Elk Creek Trail.
--Download the CDT - Elk Cr Loop GPX file for your GPS here .--

All of these trails were clear of deadfall with the exception of the mile long section of trail connecting the CDT to Elk Creek Trail.


Chief Joseph Pass mountain biking trails

       

This section of CDT passes through
areas recovering from the 2000 fires.

Elk Creek Trail

Disco Firmed Up

The Discovery Hill loops have firmed up nicely from last Sundays torrential evening rains.

While the trails are not as smooth and fast as they get in mid-spring, they are in greatly better shape then they were earlier this summer.  The rain smoothed the powdery dust back down into singletrack and washed away most of the manure.  Rough hoof-prints are gone and the cows have been moved to upper pastures.

So if you have been avoiding the Disco Trails because they were hammered, get back up there when you have time to bust out a couple quick laps.  And remember how lucky we are to have these trails so close to town for a  single-track fix.

Twelvemile Meadow Trail

Poison Peak and Twelvemile Meadow.

The Twelvemile Meadow Trail is a good alternative for Lime Creek shuttles and a great high-country loop when paired with the North Basin Trail.

A group of riders recently hauled a chainsaw up into the Lemhi and cleared the length of this trail.

This ride will challenge your route finding, your fitness, and your skills, no matter who you are.  Be ready.

--Download the GPX for Twelvemile Meadow Trail here--



Twelvemile Meadow Trail to Lime Creek

Trailmarker at the top of the climb.

Junction of Twelvemile Meadow Trail and Goldbug Ridge Road.

Lotto, Guns, Ammo, Beer...and Chainsaws.

The tough climb from Warm Spring to Lime Creek.

Lime Creek Trailhead on US93.

Primped and Pretty

Summer is here and we have been taking the tread up to the high country.  Like bears, many of these trails are a bit haggard after months of hibernation.  We like to clean the trails up so they are more fun for everybody.  Below are a few of the trails that have been cleared of deadfall so far.

To the north, Warm Springs Ridge has been cleared by the Bitterroot crew.

If you know of more cleared trails post a comment below...be a leader not a lurker!

We look forward to clearing some of the bigger rides...Three Mile Ridge, Twin Creek, Twelvemile.

For hikers, a corridor has been cleared through the impenetrable jungle that used to block Henry Creek a couple miles up.  There may be a few trees down, but at least you can get through now, making a hike to the top of Lake Mountain very possible.

Williams Summit - Powderhouse Gulch


Powderhouse Meadow is clear too.

Williams Summit - North Mocassin Trail


There is some deadfall early on here.  Left there to discourage the ATVs from riding where they are not allowed.

Wagonhammer Area - Carl Gulch



Still two large trees down.  We did not have a chainsaw.  The rest is clear.  Carl Gulch needs more riders, the grass is getting thick.  Burns Gulch is yet to be cleared this season.


Continental Divide Trail - Flume Creek Section

Disco Trail Day 2012

Thanks to all the great volunteers for making the 2012 Disco Trail Day a huge success!!

Truckloads of trash were hauled away and miles of trail were made better on a gorgeous Spring day.

Close to 40 people came out to give their time.

After all that work everyone convened at the Trailhead for the BBQ.

A few of us did a post event ride to celebrate the trail improvements too.

Thanks to Salmon Valley Stewardship and the BLM for making this event possible and thanks again to all the great volunteers.

The Disco trails are in better shape than ever.

Mark your calendars

There is a lot going on in Salmon this spring for cyclists.  Choose your event and get on your bike!

• Discovery Hill Trail Day and Cleanup

• When:  April 21 from 9 am to noon.  
• Where:  Discovery Hill Trailhead.
  
• What:  Like last year, we will be fixing up the trails and cleaning up the roads.  Your choice of many projects. BLM hosted BBQ at 12:30.  Mtn bike ride to follow the BBQ so bring your bike.
• How:   Free.  Some tools provided, bring gloves and a bike for the ride after.
• Brought to you by Salmon Valley Stewardship, the BLM, and Salmon Idaho Mtn Bike Association (SIMBA).

• Kids Bike Clinic

• When: April 27th and May 4th from 9:30 am to 11:30 am.
• Where: Sacajawea Center.
• What:  Kids will learn basic bike maintenance and basic bike skills.  Some helmets available if needed.
• How:  $10 fee includes both sessions.  Sign up at Salmon City Hall or at the event.  Call 756-1188 for info.
• Brought to you by the Salmon Recreation and Community Development and SIMBA.   

• Ladies Only Bike Clinic

• When:  April 28th and May 5th from 9:30 am to 11:30 am.
  
• Where:  Sacajawea Center.
  
• What:  Topics include bike sizing, basic maintenance, and basic riding skills.
  
• How:  $10 fee includes both sessions.  Sign up at Salmon City Hall or at the event.  Call 756-1188 for info.
• Brought to you by the Salmon Recreation and Community Development and SIMBA.

• Salmon MTB Film Fest
• When:  April 27 from 6:00 pm to about 9 pm.
• Where:  Oddfellows Hall.
  
• What:  We will be screening Mtn Bike Films including Life Cycles and Pedal Driven.
• How:  $10 at the door.  Beer is extra.  Raffle items.  Food by Oddfellows Bakery - Fish Tacos!!
• Brought to you by Oddfellows Bakery and SIMBA.

• Pathways Awareness Ride
• When:  May 10th at 5:30 pm.
  
• Where:  Idaho Adventures.
  
• What:  We will be riding from Island Park to the Sac Center for Salmon Pathways Awareness.  Rumor has it that the Mayor, City Council and County Comms will be there too. 
  
• How:  Free just bring your bike and your helmet and show our town fathers we like to ride and want to do so safely.
• Brought to you by Alternate Mobility and SIMBA.

• 12 Hours of Disco

• When:  May 19th from 7 am to 7 pm.
  
• Where:  Start/Finish is at the Sacajawea Motor Sports Park.
  
• What:  12 Hours of singletrack Mtn Bike racing on an 8 mile loop in the Discovery Hill Trail System.  Riders can race Solo or on mixed teams of 2 or 4.
  
• How:  $115 entry fee gets you a Race #, T-shirt and Dinner.
  
• Money raised goes to benefit the Youth Employment Program.
  
• Brought to you by the Youth Employment Program,  SIMBA and the USAC.
  

• National Trails Day at Barracks Lane

• When:  June 9th.  June 2nd.
  
• Where:  Barracks Lane Trailhead and trails in the area.
  
• What:  Projects include re-arranging the trailhead access and some new trail construction.
  
• How:  Free.  Some tools provided, bring gloves and a bike for the ride after.
• Brought to you by the BLM and SIMBA.

• Lemhi Valley Century Ride

• When:  June 23rd.
• Where:  Highway 28 along the Lemhi River Valley.
  
• What:  100 milers start at Microwave Tower Road south of Birch Creek Campground.  Metric 100 riders start at Gilmore Summit.
  
• How:  $45 gets you the ride, a T-shirt, and BBQ after.
  

Trail Repair Needed

Someone had some fun last Sunday.  3 miles of the Disco Trails look like this, all along the north end.  3 dirt-bikes did the most damage.  Some of the ruts are our own too.

So now we have our work cut out for us.  Last night saw these repairs...there is just 2 3/4 miles to go.  Anyone want to join us?

Some sections of the trails are still too frozen for repairs so we will be working on the dryer sections first.

 This bright Springtime sunshine makes us all want to get out and play.  If the trails are getting soft please turn back.  The trails dry out really fast on Disco Hill, it is worth it to wait.


If you would like to help with these repairs get ahold of Max (maxATsalmonidahocycleryDOTcom) or Dave (chukt_allstarAThotmailDOTcom).  We will be out in the afternoons and evenings when the ground is soft.  Hope to see you up "on the Disco".