The Great R'Idaho Trail #3
Southern Loop - Route DescriptionStage 4: Pine to Smiley Creek Lodge
Distance in Miles
Miles of Trail
Minimum Elevation in Ft
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.
This stage follows the well-developed GRIT#1 Stage 2 route to the OHV mecca of Baumgartner. But at the top of Presidents trail, the more difficult special test drops down Virginia Gulch. But the main route riders can choose to take the easier ATV trail down or the Beaver Cut-Off single track trail into Baumgartner and encouraged to take the tour spur to Iron Mt at 9694 Ft if you wish.
From Baumgartner, there is two distinct paths to get you to Smiley Creek Lodge at the end of the day. The main route takes the river road to Smokey Bar Store with a typical special test upgrade option with 9 miles of intermediate single track on Skeleton, Little Skeleton and Conant Creek trails. But, if you are feeling more ambitious, you can take the long special test loop that links up some of the best advanced trails in the area. It starts with the advanced trail Willow Creek and then turns north up the of South Fork of Ross Fork Creek Trail at the junction with the Ross Fork Jeep trail you can choose to escape down the jeep trail to Emma Creek or continue up the more challenging North Fork of Ross Fork Creek Trail. If you do you will be rewarded with one of the amazing passes in the area before dropping down to the Johnson Creek trail which will return you to the Jeep trail to Emma Creek. As you head up Emma Creek Trail you tackle the infamous rock garden sections to rejoin the main route along the West Fork Big Smokey Creek trail.
If you skipped the Willow Creek/Emma challenges you will arrive at the famous and friendly Big Smokey Store. If you take the time to grab a cold beverage and a hot snack then make sure to say hello to Kaylin, the owner – she always has a smile for all the riders that pass through there on multi-day trips. From Big Smokey Store, the main route offers up 28 miles of premium trails via Paradise Creek and West Fork Big Smoky creek trails that only get moderate use and are very scenic. Then we ride North on Mule Creek Trail into Smiley Creek Lodge for the night.
