The Great R'Idaho Trail #3
Southern Loop - Route DescriptionStage 3: Lowman to Pine
Distance in Miles
Miles of Trail
Max Gas Range
Maximum Elevation in Ft
Interactive Maps To See Detailed Route. (Full Screen) Download GRIT3-SLoop Tracks
Legend
- Navy Blue: Designated motorcycle trails or notably tougher ATV trails
- Green: Designated ATV trails or just too easy motorcycle trails
- Red: Advanced Difficulty Trails
- Magenta: Roads. Dirt Road most often, but occasionally paved.
- Light Blue: Easier Bypass Detours or optional side-trips. Only the first section of a detour is color coded when the route splits.
- Black: Special Test Detours. Only the first section of a detour is color coded when the route splits.
From Lowman, we cut back on Hwy 21 to climb back into the mountains on Jackson Peak trail and lookout. Then several miles of forest roads take us to the Sunset Mt Lookout turn-off. If you want/need some extra trail miles, you can take the special test loop into Idaho City with a chance to refuel, followed by 12 mile stretch of single track getting back to the Sunset Mt Lookout where you rejoin the main route. But this option is not a favorite due to whooped out trails near Idaho City, however make sure you understand your fuel range because if you don’t go down to Idaho city and if you add the sheep creek challenge section you will be up over 130 miles between gas stops. From the lookout, you go down the fun and challenging Hungarian Ridge, then over to Barber Flat and down Bear Creek trail for a 26 mile trail segment with very little connector roads.
Trinity Mt LO
At the end of the amazing barber flat/bear creek trails you now have the option take the standard route by turning west and take the Road along the beautiful Boise River or turn east and head towards a new special test section that will take you up Sheep Creek and down the Sheep Creek portion William Pogue National Recreation Trail. It is challenging and often with exposed sidehill sections but a trail to remember. After the test you will rejoin the main route at the junction with Corral Creek trail which will testing cooling systems on both bike and body.
Along your next combination of connector roads, you have the option to take the special test detour to Devils Creek and Bear Gulch trails. It is only about 3 extra trail miles than the main route ahead, but Bear Gulch is technically advanced. The Bear Gulch trail will join in just as the Upper Lava Mountain trail begins. If you chose the main route, you will ride the 6 mile Lower Lava Mountain trail before the beautiful but at times challenging Upper Lava Mountain trail.
At the end of Lava Mountain trails, you have the spur option to enjoy the grand view from the top of Trinity Mountain Lookout and Trinity Lakes themselves. Or you may take this same turn because you just want to bailout for the day and find the fastest way to town. But if you are still good to go, the last section ends with a flare on a fun 14 mile trail combination of Bear hole, Crosscut and the tougher, but short, Green Creek trail to drop down to roads that take us to Pine for the night.
