(February 23, 2019 / Author: Tim Bondy) This ride is quite enjoyable as it transitions through a number of different environments within the Soldier Mountain Range. Much of the ride is in sagebrush steppe but the creekbeds are “treesy” and surrounding mountains are rugged and beautiful. The ability to expand this ride to other trails makes this a “favorite ride” in the border area of the Sawtooth and Boise National Forests between Fairfield, Idaho and Anderson Ranch Reservoir.
Link to Photo: https://photos.app.goo.gl/eKjduevQWvzJBNVY8
Coordinates: 43.4495316,-115.1258087 / https://goo.gl/maps/EsjEH6e68mB2
Introduction to the “Hunter Creek Into the Middle Fork of Lime Creek” Ride
This is the second ride down to the Lime Creek area and it was a fun, rough and tumble ride.
Pros: Singletrack that could easily lead to a fish/hike/bike combo-adventure. The scenery.
Cons: Late Summer Ride Only. The trail in the Lime Creek Basin is a very wet singletrack and almost impassible until later in the summer.
Hunter Creek Into the Middle Fork of Lime Creek Ride – Trip Report Basic/Stats
- Adventure Date: 21 Sept. 2018
- Consider Doing it Again?: Yes – most definitely
- Trailhead: 43.399514, -115.193157
- Turn-Around Point or Furthest Out Point: 43.454399, -115.122923
- 7.5 Topo Maps: Sprout Mountain but Deer Mountain also covers other rides in this area.
- Land Ownership: From the trailhead and eastward for about 3 miles the land is posted as private property but apparently the road, #181/Moores Flat, is open to the public. The rest of the ride is on USFS trails, #55, #814 and #44. FYI: A portion of this ride in on the Idaho Centennial Trail.
- Mileage: 15.5 miles
- +Vertical Feet: 1,767 feet
- Avg Slope from Google Earth Vertical Profile of the GPX File: 3.3%
- Google Photo Album Link: https://photos.app.goo.gl/1RgmwHsBG9pHJda47
- Google Earth KMZ: CAMAS – Bike – Hunter Creek / Hawk Gulch Plus.kmz (local file only)
- GPX File Name: 20180921-123434.gpx (local file only)
- Driving Time to Trailhead: 42 miles / 1:15 hr
Summary of Ride: Tim’s traditional trailhead is at the intersection of FSR #181A and #181. From there the road heads east for three miles through legally “trespassable” or public easement doubletrack on private property. The dirt road from the trailhead to the Hunter Creek campground can and does remain very muddy during the summer. A plus, however, is the many ruts and erosion channels likely keep a lot of vehicle traffic off this portion of #181.
The road heading down to the USFS Hunter Creek Trailhead is straightforward. From there, the rest of the trail is singletrack and fun, however dangerous for a solo rider.
This area is a very fun place to ride. It’s hilly enough to get real exercise and very scenic with little to no traffic.
The one questionable issue I have about this ride is the mileage. Riding north on FSR #44 and further north on FSR #42 isn’t really possible for me as its steep and rocky. But it may be something I might want to think about. I can always leave the bike and hike down into the Middle Fork of Lime Creek drainage for some fishing. If I did that, time would be tight so I may want to park the truck at Hunter Creek Trailhead.
Extending the ride on FSR #57 along the South Fork of Lime Creek as it heads east from #44 will likely be a good further exploration ride. This trail is only passable late in the year also.
Originally published elsewhere on September 30, 2018
Sincerely,
~ signed ~
Tim Bondy – Freelance Writer
“Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.” ~ Neale Donald Walsch