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Trail Info and Conditions in Lemhi County, Idaho
Your Guide to some of the best riding in Idaho…
This page is a starting point for exploration, or a quick glance of local trail conditions, and we will update it as conditions change. Please be aware that with about 1600 miles of trail in Lemhi County, we are not able to provide up-to-date trail conditions for every trail. Our goal is to provide general condition reports for the more popular riding areas around Salmon. For more specific trail information, follow the links below to Trailforks, and keep in mind that the more people that contribute to Trailforks, the more useful it becomes for all of us!
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DISCOVERY HILL
DESCRIPTION: Low elevation sagebrush singletrack network offers great cross country riding in the fall or spring, but can be hot and dusty in the summer.
MUST DO: Endless possibilities for after-work loops.
WATCH OUTS: Ticks in the spring, cows in the summer. Rattlesnakes too. Expect to meet dog walkers and runners, especially on the first mile or two – slow down for them on these multi-use trails.
STATUS AS OF 3/23/2025: Disco trails are GOOD TO GO! Keep in mind that this can change “in an instant” if it rains, because the soils are still mostly saturated.
Photo: Gambler Trail under the Beaverheads (BillMac 5/1/22)
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BARRACKS
DESCRIPTION: Singletrack network in sagebrush, kind of like Discovery Hill, but steeper with more elevation and more primitive trails, or drop in to the wilds of Mulkey Creek. Route finding can be challenging, but that’s part of the adventure.
MUST DO: Rip down Rippey Canyon after a grueling climb.
WATCH OUTS: Trail conditions can vary depending on which type of ungulate(s) recently passed through. In the summer, it’s cows.
STATUS AS OF 1/5/2025: Variable snow cover with unknown conditions. Expect various kinds of human and animal tracks on the trails.
Photo: Baker Creek Climb (BillMac 4/30/22)
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WAGONHAMMER
DESCRIPTION: Steep climbs and ripping descents on wide open slopes and cool, shady forests. Ideal in May, when the arrowleaf balsam root and lupine are in bloom.
MUST DO: Elk Loop during flower season.
WATCH OUTS: Check your speed – horsemen use these trails too! Not recommended during hunting season (October).
STATUS AS OF 3/26/2025: Good riding on the lower trails, but expect patches of snow and mud in the shady spots as you climb up. Please be kind to the trails during these early season conditions.
Photo: Little Thompson Gulch, going dooown (BillMac 4/24/22)
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TWELVEMILE
DESCRIPTION: A great network of singletrack trails, many of which are on old logging roads, in a cool, shady, forested setting only 12 miles south of Salmon.
MUST DO: Shuttle Twelvemile to Lime Creek. By the way, it’s not all downhill, so pack a lunch!
WATCH OUTS: It’s a long, bumpy road to the upper trailhead and it’s seen its share of flat tires.
STATUS AS OF 1/5/2025: Winter conditions. The bottom remains fairly accessible in winter, but riding will be challenging. Snow prevents vehicle access to the top of the road. Generally melts out by late May or early June.
Photo: Cool forests of Twelvemile await (BillMac 6/21/22).
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WILLIAMS CREEK
DESCRIPTION: Generally steep singletrack trails with a little bit of everything – forests, meadows, and sagebrush.
MUST DO: Shuttle Powderhouse to Perreau (about 4,000 vertical feet), or better yet, Lake Mountain to Henry Creek (5,000+ vertical feet).
WATCH OUTS: The Williams Creek Road can be busy depending on mine traffic, log trucks, and wood cutters. And many trails shown on Trailforks are not well maintained.
STATUS AS OF 1/5/2025: Abundant snow cover. The road is always open to Williams Summit, so bring skis and enjoy the XC ski trails. Generally melts out by late May or early June.
Photo: Williams Creek from Lake Mountain (BillMac 10/20/22)
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CDT – NORTH BEAVERHEADS
DESCRIPTION: Rugged and remote high elevation backcountry singletrack riding on the CDT and connector trails, with road access options. Bring your Silky saw.
MUST DO: Drop into Sheep Creek from Big Hole Pass or Fourth of July Creek for a remote backcountry experience on some quality singletrack.
WATCH OUTS: Deadfall happens. A lot. If the trails are clear, you have people to thank.
STATUS AS OF 1/5/20215: Winter conditions. Mostly inaccessible in winter with deep snowpack. Get out your skis! Generally melts out by some time in June.
Photo: CDT deadfall (BillMac 7/30/22)
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CDT – BANNOCK PASS
DESCRIPTION: Visit the MTB mecca of Leadore, Idaho for high elevation singletrack alpine cruising at its finest, with solid, but rideable climbs topping out at 10,100 feet.
MUST DO: Ride Elk Mountain, the highest point on the CDT along the Idaho/Montana border. Don’t forget your lungs.
WATCH OUTS: High elevation and exposure to the elements. These trails are not for everybody…
STATUS AS OF 1/5/2025: Winter conditions. Accessible all year via Bannock Pass, but expect snow and big drifts. Generally melts out by about mid-June.
Photo: the approach to Elk Mountain (BillMac 7/24/22)
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LEMHI MOUNTAINS
DESCRIPTION: Chunky motorized singletrack offering great loop options and incredible alpine scenery. It ain’t easy, but it’s awesome!
MUST DO: Yellow Mountain Loop, either direction is good.
WATCH OUTS: Plan to hike-a-bike up the steep, chunky stuff.
STATUS AS OF 1/5/2025: Winter conditions. Mostly inaccessible in winter with deep snowpack. Generally melts out by mid-June.
Photo: Yellow Mountain on a blue day. It’s not all like this. (BillMac 7/9/21)
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STATE LINE – DIVIDE
DESCRIPTION: Steep, demanding trails along and descending from the Idaho-Montana Divide. Bring your Silky saw. And your legs.
MUST DO: Butcherknife Ridge to Hughes Creek.
WATCH OUTS: Plan on a big day unless you are shuttling, then it still might be a big day.
STATUS AS OF 1/5/2025: Winter conditions. Mostly inaccessible in winter with deep snowpack. Generally melts out by some time in June.
Photo: Butcherknife Ridge fire break (BillMac 6/30/19)
SUBMIT A TRAIL REPORT
Trail reports make the world go around. Help out your fellow riders by logging in to TRAILFORKS and share what you know. Or, if that’s not your thing, fill out the form below, click submit, and we will share your information with the world. THANK YOU for being part of this awesome MTB community!!