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Tour of Idaho 500K Maps: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 . A vertical profile of the Tour. GPS maps (.gpx) of the 2008 Tour route may be found below along with significant Tour variations (download these files and open in Google Earth and see the entire Tour). The Idaho Digital Atlas contains a wealth of useful information about the Tour route. A trail is much more than a line on a map - it's the sum of of the efforts of all who worked to make it a reality. We owe a great debt of gratitude to several individuals who helped us wrestle this epic off of our laptops and into the great outdoors.
And thanks to the staff of Mocha Madness where much of this epic was plotted. Note: Many of the small towns along the Tour route have at least one establishment with free WiFi. A WiFi enabled cell phone will generally be the only inexpensive way of checking in with family and friends at the end of each day. The following route description breaks the Tour into six segments connecting larger towns along the route. Based on our experience competent, well-equipped parties traveling at reasonable speeds will have little trouble knocking off the entire Tour in seven days. Slower parties will require over a week to complete the Tour while those riding at a Baja 1000 pace will require just a few days. The advantages of the suggested schedule are that accommodations are not a problem and the riding difficulties are well-distributed so that one day is not significantly more difficult than the next. Based on both our own experience and our informal survey of those who've completed the Tour we'd recommend the following: 1 - Utah to Pocatello, 2 - Pocatello to Arco, 3 - Arco to Challis, 4 - Challis to Elk City, 5 - Elk City to Powell RS, 6 - Powell RS to Wallace, 7 - Wallace to British Columbia. Please bear in mind that though we have covered every inch of the recommended route and believe our descriptions to be accurate conditions can change, in some instances very rapidly, due to weather, fire, human activities, road closures, etc. Also understand that the route description and GPS files provided here are no substitute for the ability to pull out a map and discern the lay of the land. Those attempting to substitute a GPS unit for the ability to read a map and recconoiter the lay of the land will doubtless spend a lot of time lost. The Tour of Idaho is not a casual undertaking. Completing the Tour without incident requires reasonably high degrees of riding skill, outdoor acumen, physical conditioning, route finding ability, mechanical skill, knowledge of emergency first aid and a healthy dollop of good luck. The information on this website is not meant as a substitute for any of the above. A trail that we describe as flat and fast, for instance, may change overnight as the result of a storm. You ride the Tour at your own risk. Any attempt to replace eyes on the spot judgment with something you read here will likely result in calamity. You may want to check out the FAQ for answers to specific questions we've gotten (or wish we had). Jenkins Hollow to Pocatello (135 miles) GPS  The first day of the Tour, though the shortest in terms of miles, holds the most technical challenge. Most will find this to be a full day. Gas, food and water are not a problem with the longest distance between services being about 50 miles. The Tour begins in Jenkins Hollow just north of the Idaho-Utah border. Take the Deep Creek Road exit (#17) off I-15 then travel east and south on ID 36 approximately 20 miles to Black Canyon road on the south (right) side of the road. Black Canyon road is a dirt farm road that winds through fields and around farm houses to Black Canyon in the hills a few miles from the highway. Proceed 5 miles down Black Canyon road to a grassy parking area in the middle of a large U turn at the base of a hill. Unload bikes here.
The Tour heads west out of Lava Hot Springs on US 30 and turns north (right) on Sunnyside Road after about a mile. Head north 3 miles up Beach Hollow to an intersection with the Boundary Trail. One may follow the Boundary Trail either east or west around the Portneuf range. Either route leads to Inkom Pass (7232') some 30 trail miles north of Lava. We highly recommended going east for all but the most adventurous riders on light bikes. From Beach Hollow follow the Boundary Trail north for a couple of miles to an intersection with Kelly Gulch on the right at the base of a small hill. Follow Kelly Gulch downhill for about 3/4 of a mile through a field to Old US 30 (Note: Periodically the farmer who cultivates the field at the base of this trail illegally attempts to close the easement. If there is a sign warning you off we suggest that you ignore it - just don't dawdle in the field. Otherwise you may take the Boundary Trail north a few rugged miles and turn right on the first major dirt road you come to. It is also possible to reverse your route a couple of miles and take the first trail down to the left off the Boundary Trail down to Old US 30). Take Old US 30 north for about 3 miles to a well marked intersection with Pebble Creek/Big Springs campground road on the left. Follow the gravel road north and east 7 miles to Big Springs and an intersection with NFD 21 - Inman Canyon Road. Follow NFD 21 north about three miles to the Inkom Pass Trail on the left. Instead of taking the Inkom Pass trail, the left of three trails that head uphill and west, take the center single track trail (note: one may elect to continue along Inman Road for few more miles to a saddle at the top of Inman Pass, then follow the dirt road west down Inman Creek 5 miles to Rapid Creek road). Follow the single track trail uphill for about 1/4 of a mile then downhill some 5 miles along the banks of the South Fork of Inman Creek. Even though this trail is single track it's in good shape (and mostly downhill) and may be reasonably attempted on larger bikes. The South Fork Trail ends in Inman Canyon on the main road. Turn left (west) and follow the road downhill 4 miles to Rapid Creek Road. Turn south (left) on Rapid Creek and follow it a few miles into the small town of Inkom. Follow old highway 30 north out of Inkom 5 miles (pavement) to Blackrock Canyon. Turn north (right) onto Blackrock Canyon road. A short distance later, just after going under the interstate overpass, turn left onto a dirt road that ascends steeply via a series of switchbacks to a spectacular ridge above (those riding large or heavily loaded bikes may want to just follow the paved road a few more miles into Pocatello). This road is a jeep road but is quite steep and, in places, rocky. Follow the ridge north to the summit of Chinese Peak (6700'). An alternative that reaches the same ridge by a less arduous route may be found by riding up Blackrock Canyon Road 1.5 miles past a parking area on the left to a point where the road splits into three roads. Take the leftmost road that climbs the hillside on the left and follow it to the top of the ridge. Turn right (north) every time the trail forks. This eventually leads to a saddle just below the summit of Chinese Peak. From the summit of Chinese Peak the town of Pocatello lies in the valley to the west before you and any road off the top of Chinese Peak that goes west or north leads to town. The easiest path is the road obviously well-traveled (Barton Road) that descends to the west. Be sure to wave as you go by if you ride down to Pocatello this way. Pocatello is a full-service community of 50,000 with three motorcycle shops: Pocatello Power Sports (Honda/KTM), Mountain West Suzuki and Sport Motors (Yamaha/Kawasaki) along with numerous hotels, motels and restaurants. We recommend Mocha Madness for coffee, Mama Inez or the Sandpiper for lunch and dinner, and Hooligans or the Green T for local ambiance after dark. Best bets for provisions and services are Pocatello Power Sports for motorcycle related needs, Barrie's Ski & Sports for general outdoor equipment, and Fred Meyer for food and general supplies. Pocatello to Arco (200 miles) GPS  You have a major choice of routes to begin the second day of the Tour - each of essentially different character. The recommended option is longer but infinitely more scenic and interesting to ride. It is described first below. Head west out of Pocatello following Benton Street to Johnson to Whitman to Lincoln and ultimately City Creek Road. (consult a map). Follow City Creek Road about 10 miles southwest to the top of Kinport Peak (7179'). Turn right at the "T" intersection near the top of Kinport Peak and continue southwest along the ridge. After a mile or so, just after a pond (Horse Lake), the road descends left into Midnight Creek. Take the ATV trail which heads downhill at Dead Cow Spring and follow it along the banks of the creek. The trail is rocky and has some steep (albeit very short) sections but it's downhill and there are no major impediments for any but the largest bikes. After a couple of miles the trail turns abruptly left and climbs steeply 1/4 of a mile up Monument Gulch leaving the creek. This climb has several sharp turns and some tree roots across the trail but, again, not anything that should provide a challenge for any but the largest bikes. At the top of the gulch the trail winds it's way slightly downhill for about a mile to an intersection with the Elk Meadows Loop Trail. Turn left (north) and follow the loop clockwise some 4.5 miles to Elk Meadows. Turn left (south) and take a dirt road south about 5 miles to Crystal Summit and Mink Creek Road. Large or heavily loaded bikes may alternatively take South Bannock Highway/Mink Creek Road south out of Pocatello (pavement) and arrive at the same place sans the demands of the technical trail.
Arco to Challis (140 - 165 miles) GPS  There is no gas between Arco and Challis, 140+ miles to the north, so you'll want to load up with as much as you can carry. The route out of Arco may be found off US 20/26 near the southeast edge of town. Look for the large submarine parked on the east side of the highway (we kid you not). Turn east (left) at the sub onto HiWay Drive which parallels US 20/26 southeast for a 0.3 miles to a fork in the road. Take the east (left) fork 1 mile to an intersection with Arco Pass Road on the north (left). After about 7 miles the Arco Pass Road intersects Sheep Camp Road near the base of King Mountain. Two variations of the Tour are possible from this point. The more scenic heads west (left) on Sheep Camp Road past a large natural arch then up and over Beverland Pass (7416') and down King Canyon into the Big Lost River Valley. A few miles of mixed gravel and paved farm roads lead north to Pass Creek Canyon with it's majestic 400' cliffs flanking the climb up the east side of the Lost River Range to Pass Creek Summit (7722'). From the summit of Pass Creek descend 8.25 miles to an intersection with Dry Creek Road (NFD 119) on the northwest (left) side of Pass Creek Road. The other (all dirt) variant follows Arco Pass Road (GPS) north 3.5 miles to Arco Pass (7144') then descends into the Little Lost River Valley on the east side of the Lost River Range. The route proceeds northwest along a series of dirt roads 20 miles to Deer Creek and an intersection with NFD 277 road. Turn east (right) and follow NFD 277 down Deer Creek 1 mile to an intersection with NFD 278 on the north (right). Follow NFD 278 some 15 miles over Deer Creek Pass (7000') to an intersection with Pass Creek Road a mile south of the intersection with Dry Creek Road (NFD 119). A slightly more scenic variant over Deer Creek Pass turns west (left) on NFD 277 and goes for about 1 mile up the canyon. Take the first major right (NFD 527) up to a spectacular pass that descends to NFD 278. Proceed west along Dry Creek Road approximately 6 miles to an intersection with a road at the bottom of a small hill on the north (right) that descends steeply into a gulch. This road leads to the way north. Another variation of the Tour continues west (left) up Dry Creek 2 miles to Long Lost Creek. It's here that you'll find the Massacre Mountain Loop, a rugged 16.5 mile loop trail consisting of spectacular scenery and wild riding. The Massacre Mountain Loop is among the worst nightmares that bad dreams are capable of conjuring for those riding large or heavily loaded bikes but for everyone else it is not to be missed. Allot 2 hours to complete the loop. From the aforementioned intersection follow the GPS track northeast 2 miles toward Taylor Mountain and a prominent intersection with a road on the northwest (left). Turn left onto Donkey Hills Road and proceed 2.5 miles to a pass (7600'). Continue west into the Pahsimeroi Valley about 9 miles to a bridge crossing over the Pahsimeroi River. Very close to the river crossing you'll encounter a road on the south (left) side of Donkey Hills Road that follows the Pahsimeroi River south toward the Lost River Crest.
Challis to Elk City (240 - 280 miles) GPS  Note: After leaving Challis there is no cell phone coverage anywhere along the Tour route for the next 530 miles (Wallace). Day three is easy and fast but long and begins in the middle of downtown Challis. There are two routes out of Challis. The first (and shortest) is to head west up Main Street a few blocks to 7th Street/Challis Creek Road on the north (right). Proceed north out of town following the GPS track to NFD 138 - the Darling Creek Road.
Turn east (right) and head up the road on the south side of the Salmon River 6.5 miles to the Pine Creek Bridge. Travel another 1.5 miles along the north side of the Salmon River to the Shoup Store. The Shoup Store is the last chance for gas and grub before Elk City - many miles into the future (the Shoup Store is closed Wednesdays). You'll want to load up with as much gas as you can carry at Shoup as there is little chance of finding as much as a drop for much of the next 162 miles (note - should the Shoup store be closed gas is available about 20 miles to the east at North Fork). Many miles of bitter experience have taught us that dirt bikes make particularly poor wheelbarrows when employed along the Darby-Elk City Road. Head east out of Shoup along NFD 030 about 1.5 miles to an intersection with NFD 038 on the north (left). Proceed north along NFD 038 which ascends 4000' over 16 spectacular miles to NFD 044 Road near Beartrap Ridge (8303'). Follow NFD 044 north 5.5 miles to Horse Creek Pass (7400') on the Idaho-Montana border. At the Pass NFD 044 heads west (left) along the state line. Continue straight ahead (north) on West Fork Road. After about a mile the road veers east and heads steeply downhill and for the next 20 or so miles you are in Montana. Continue generally north 10 miles to an intersection with Route 473. Turn east (right) onto the paved road and follow it generally north several miles, past the community of Alta, to mile marker 26 just south of Painted Rocks Reservoir. Turn left (west) onto NFD 5660 (Coal Creek Road) and follow it past some homes (please respect the privacy of these homeowners and take it easy while riding the right of way through their properties) for about a mile to an intersection with NFD 5658 on the right. Turn right at this and each successive each intersection for the next several miles as Upper Coal Creek Road skirts the south and west shores of Painted Rocks Reservoir on a scenic ridge high above the waters. Eventually the road descends into a valley and intersects with NFD 362. Turn left on NFD 362 and follow it a short distance to the first road that veers off to the right. Follow a series of well-marked roads 6 miles up to Tough Creek Saddle. From Tough Creek Saddle follow the road the goes north then west descending steeply down to the Nez Perce Road.
Elk City to Wallace (295 - 301 miles) GPS  You'll want to get an early start on day 4 as there are nearly 300 miles to cover. Many elect to ride just the first 50 miles from Elk City to Lowell and take the rest of the day off. The route out of Elk City is via American River Road. Go 1.5 miles to an intersection with Falls Point Road on the north (left). Proceed north along Falls Point Road 2 miles to an intersection with Elk Creek Road on the west (left). Continue north on NFD 443 about 12 miles to an intersection with NFD 464 on the west (left). Turn east (right) and continue along NFD 443 another 6 miles until the road narrows to an ATV trail near Falls Point. Here the trail takes an amazing 3800' plunge in 6 miles to Selway Falls. Once in the valley follow the Selway River downstream a mile or so to a bridge crossing. On the other side of the bridge turn northeast (left) and follow the Selway Road 19 miles downstream to an intersection with US 12. Turn east (right) and proceed 1/4 of a mile to Lowell. Lowell is a small resort community with a resort, a motel, a restaurant, and a general store/gas station. The resort is a great place to spend the night if you are making a short day of it. Lowell is the lowest elevation of the Tour at 1450'. Upon leaving Lowell you'll want to carry as much gas as possible as it is 235 miles to the next easy opportunity for fuel (you can purchase inexpensive plastic gas jugs at the general store/gas station. There are two routes out of Lowell. The preferred route goes north along US 12 a little less than 2 miles to an intersection with Pete King Road on the north (left). Head north up the Pete King Trail a little over 6 miles to a clearing with a dirt road leading out of it to the west. Follow this road (NFD 5513) a mile to NFD 101. Alternatively one may continue along Pete King Trail which itself intersects NFD 101 a little farther north. The Pete King Trail is steep and narrow and might present a problem for large or heavily loaded bikes. The alternative route out of Lowell is to head west on US 12 about 6 miles to the town of Syringa. Just west of Syringa NFD 101 intersects US 12. Turn right (north) and follow 101 to the intersection with NFD 5513. The Pete King Trail is sometimes closed at odd times to motorcycles. If time is of the essence and you need to make a choice at Lowell the alternative route, though slightly longer, is just as quick. Continue along 101 as it winds it way northward 14 miles to Canyon Junction where you'll encounter the entrance to the Lolo Motorway. Follow the Lolo Motorway northeast 50 miles to Cayuse Junction where the Tour route veers north along NFD 581. At this point it is possible to follow NFD 500 about 18 miles (one way) down to US 12 and the Powell Ranger Station where there is a general store, a gas station and lodging. For those wishing to avoid the rigorous pace of a 300+ mile Elk City to Wallace sprint but are up for more than the 50 mile Elk City to Lowell jog, Elk City to Powell RS is an incredibly pleasant 130 mile day which is then followed by another equally pleasant 160 mile Powell RS to Wallace day in which fuel capacity is not an issue. From Cayuse Junction head north along NFD 581 some 22 miles along Toboggan Ridge eventually descending into Cayuse Creek. From the Cayuse landing strip continue north another 7 miles along NFD 581 to Kelly Creek. Continue north along NFD 255 some 7 miles to Deception Saddle (4462') then another 4 miles north to the North Fork of the Clearwater River and an intersection with NFD 250. Turn east (right) on NFD 250 and proceed 4 miles east then north to Cedars and an intersection with NFD 720 on the west (left) just beyond the beginning of the pavement. NFD 720 climbs out of the Clearwater River and heads west 10 miles to Fly Hill and an intersection with NFD 715. Follow NFD 715 another 10 miles north to Gospel Hill (6457'). Continue north another 6 miles on NFD 715 to an intersection with NFD 320. Turn west (left) and follow NFD 320 along the St. Joe River 4 miles to Heller Creek Campground. Follow 320 west out of Heller Creek as it climbs steeply some 5 miles toward Red Ives Peak. Over the next 5 or so miles the road gradually descends again to the St. Joe River at Red Ives. Turn north (right) onto the St. Joe River Road (NFD 218) and follow the single lane paved road past several campgrounds lining the banks of the St. Joe. After 9 miles you'll encounter an intersection with NFD 50 (Gold Creek Road) which is paved. Turn east (right) and head up the hill 1.5 miles to an intersection with NFD 1222 on the south (right). Follow this uphill 7 miles to an intersection with NFD 391, the State Line Trail. on the left (north) Follow NFD 391 4 miles back to NFD 50. Cross NFD 50 and continue on State Line Trail another 17 miles northeast past Quarles Peak to NFD 326 which descends to the west (left). Follow 326, an old railroad grade, west some 13 miles to an intersection with NFD 456 (Moon Pass Road). If time (and fuel) permit NFD 506 (Cliff Creek Road) provides a very scenic side trip. Turn north (right) on NFD 456 and follow it over Moon Pass (4826') about 20 miles to Wallace. Wallace is a historic mining town with a current population of slightly less than 1000. It's located just off I -90 and is generally brimming with tourists. There are a variety or restaurants, hotels, motels and shops. It's the best town along the entire Tour route in which to spend some time. We recommend the Ryan Hotel for accommodations. Wallace to Upper Priest Lake (250 miles) GPS  Gas, food and water are not a problem on the last day of the Tour as there are frequent highway crossings and small towns all along the way. From downtown Wallace take 6th street north under I-90 to 9-mile Road/NFD 456 and follow it north. After three miles 456 (which is paved) heads uphill through a series of curves while 9-mile Road veers left and becomes dirt. Continue along 9-mile Road a short distance as it ascends through a series of switchbacks to an intersection with NFD 424. Turn west (left) on NFD 424 and follow it 16 miles as it winds northwest to Moon Saddle. The GPS track will prove invaluable in keeping you on route through the maze of logging roads that criss-cross this area. From Moon Saddle (4669') head west (left) a short distance and find NFD 620 which heads north (right). Follow NFD 620 about 9 miles as it descends to the Coeur D'Alene River Road (NFD 9). Proceed east (right) on NFD 9 for 1.5 miles to a river crossing. Immediately on the north side of the bridge you'll encounter NFD 503 (Old River Road - County 1 C) on the left. Head west along this road which follows the north bank of the CDA River to an intersection with NFD 400 (Steamboat Creek Road) after 8 miles on the north (right). Go north and west 5 miles on NFD 400 to an intersection with West Fork Road (NFD 409). Head west (left) on this road 5.25 miles to an intersection with NFD 335 on the right. Follow this 2 miles west across Skull Saddle (4018') to NFD 929. Proceed west 3.5 miles along NFD 929, NFD 981 and NFD 812 to NFD 422. Turn southwest on NFD 422 and follow it 2 miles down Lieberg Creek to an intersection with NFD 209 (Little North Fork Road) and the North Fork of the Coeur D'Alene River. Turn north (right) and follow NFD 209 about 15 miles to an intersection with NFD 385. Turn west (left) and follow NFD 385 some 6 miles to an intersection with NFD 332. Take this west (left) 7.5 miles steeply downhill to Bunco Corners. Turn north (right) on Goodhopper Road and proceed 0.5 miles to Belmont Road. Turn west (left) on Belmont and proceed 4 miles to an intersection with US 95. Proceed across 95 and continue 0.5 miles west then 0.5 miles north to Old Highway 95. Follow Old Highway 95 north 1 mile to the town of Athol. Head west out of Athol on Watkins Ave./Highway 54. Go 1.5 miles to an intersection with North Clagstone Road on the north (right). Take Clagstone Road north and east 10 miles to an intersection with Spirit Lake Cutoff. Head west (straight) through this intersection and continue along Clagstone Road another 1.5 miles to an intersection with Blanchard Cutoff Road. Turn west (right) and follow this road a little less than a mile to NFD 2550 Road on the north (right). This is the second dirt road on the right and is marked with a sign that has an anvil on it. This is the heart of "Ruby Ridge" country and it would be best if you didn't get lost. That tune that keeps running through your head, the one that you can't quite place - it's Dueling Banjos.
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