2010
Idaho Bicycle Ride
Itinerary
July 24 - 30

The Idaho Bicycle Ride will cover a very diverse and beautiful area of Idaho. From the basaltic volcanic features of Craters of the Moon, the green pastures and Borah Peak in Challis National Forest, the wild Salmon River to the craggy peaks of the Sawtooth Mountains, your bicycle vacation is bound to be one of the best you have ever experienced.

Saturday, July 24 - Carey - Check-In & Orientation

Carey is a small community located on Hwy 20 about 25 miles west of Craters of the Moon and about 50 miles NE of Twin Falls. You may want to plan an early arrival and visit some of the interesting sites around Twin Falls such as the Snake River Gorge and Shoshone Falls, otherwise known as the "Niagara of the West". Close by is the site where Evil Knievel attempted to jump the Snake River.

Sunday, July 25 - Carey to Arco
Mileage: 50; Elevation Gain: 1520'

A few miles out of Carey you will think you have left this planet and been magically transported to the moon. Here you pass by one of the most dramatic lava flows in the US. This 83-square-mile area is home to Craters of the Moon National Monument and one of the areas where some of our first astronauts trained. There is an 8-mile paved road through some of the most interesting parts of this giant lava flow and several opportunities to do some short hikes. Arco was the first city in the U.S. to be powered by atomic energy and is home to the Atomic Burger.

Monday, July 26 - Arco to Challis
Mileage: 85; Elevation Gain: 2100'

Highway 93 is a long, fairly straight stretch of highway taking you through the Lost River Valley. Flanked by farms, ranches, the Lost River, and the Challis National Forest home to Borah Peak (the highest point in Idaho), this stretch of highway is notorious for headwinds coming from the south. The route goes north - with luck you will have a tailwind. A vigorous earthquake, in 1983, added two feet to Borah Peak and caused this valley to sink five feet. You can still see the fault line from the highway near Mackay.

Tuesday, July 27 - Challis to Stanley
Mileage: 58; Elevation Gain: 1760

You will leave the desert of Central Idaho behind and enter the Sawtooth National Forest with its thick stand of timber and picturesque Salmon River, the "Whitewater Capital of the World." The Salmon is one of the few undammed waterways left in America and was dubbed by Lewis and Clark as "The River of No Return". You will follow the Salmon River all the way to Stanley passing many hot springs including the very popular Sunbeam Hot Springs. As you enter Stanley you will encounter the fabulous Sawtooth Mountains otherwise known as "America's Alps".

Wednesday, July 28 - Stanley Layover
Mileage: 51; Elevation Gain: 1220

Stanley sits in the heart of the Sawtooths and along the main fork of the Salmon River. It is also the cross roads for three different scenic byways. Our campsite takes advantage of this unique setting with the glacier dotted Mountains towering above and the Salmon River flowing softly below. This layover day is for you to take advantage of this fabulous area. You can choose to do a whitewater raft trip, go hiking, mountain biking, road biking or just take time out to relax. It is up to you.

Thursday, July 29 - Stanley to Hailey
Mileage: 83; Elevation Gain: 2900

Much of this day you will have the Salmon River on one side and views of the Sawtooths on the other. This is the "Big Climb" day over Galena Pass. At the top of Galena Pass you can view almost the entire Stanley Basin and the headwaters of the Salmon River. As you drop over the top and head down the south side of Galena Pass you will enter the Wood River Valley, a narrow valley in the heart of the Sawtooths. A few miles down the road is the world renowned resort area, Ketchum/Sun Valley. In fact, this was the first destination ski area in the United States. You will enjoy many miles of the wonderful Wood River Bike Path that is built on an old railroad bed. With no worries about vehicles you can enjoy your journey from a few miles north of Ketchum all the way to Hailey.

Friday, July 30 - Hailey to Carey
Mileage: 29; Elevation Gain: 200'

The first six miles of this short day will continue on the Wood River Bike Path. The balance of the ride will be on quiet country roads traveling past farms and ranches. A final lunch and shower will be waiting before you depart for home.

Printer-friendly version

Back to the top