Rebecca's Private Idaho Small Fry

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Sun Valley, ID

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Route Overview

Sun Valley Adventures

Sawtooth Mountain Cycling For Everyone

56 mi.

3,742 ft.

The smaller version of the famous gravel event. A truly epic ride!

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Route Details

The locals use Trail Creek Rd as a training hill, but it's a lot more fun to get to the top and continue on down into the Big Lost River drainage area. Starting at 6,000 ft in Ketchum, you'll end up over 8,000 ft high above the valley floor.

The route starts at @poi[Java On Fourth](1533304) in town. Afer a mandatory Bowl of Soul to get the morning going, the route heads northeast out of town on the excellent @slice[Sun Valley Trail](d,631.96,4050.63) pedestrian path. After a few miles the trail ends and you begin your ascent into the canyon along Trail Creek Rd. @slice[The paved sections lasts for approx. 7 miles](d,4050.63,15441.49), before @point[turning to gravel](d,15410.29) for the remainder of the ride until you reach that same point on the way back down. The road is a bit narrow, but there aren't too many cars.

You'll have a @slice[stout climb](d,15363.36,19869.17) until you reach the trees at the @point[Trail Creek Summit](d,19958.03), where you will then be rewarded @slice[with a nice descent](d,20197.9,27271.11) down into the valley of the Challis National Forest. You'll have @photo[wide open views](1276726) as you skirt along the base of the Phi Kappa Mountains on silky smooth gravel.

At @point[mile 22.7](d,36450.03), you'll come to an intersection where you will take a right onto Wild Horse Creek Road. This road has a few rough patches, but nothing terrible. Just watch out for @photo[wild cows.](1276753)

Around @point[mile 28](d,45335.93) you'll reach a bridge around the junction to road 503. This is your turn around point. If you want to make it a truly epic day, you can continue on into the famed Copper Basin on the [Big Potato Route](http://ridewithgps.com/routes/10904533). For me, the bridge is the spot to head back.

You'll head back exactly the way you came, with equally impressive views along the way that offer a different perspective than what you had just seen. ***One note of caution, as much as you will want to bomb down the descent on Trail Creek Rd., take the gravel section slowly.*** It's rough, is washboard in a lot of places, and there will be very steep cliff edges to your right on the narrow road. Just take your time on the gravel section, and when the road turns back to pavement, that's where you can catch all the speed that you want. Down and out of the canyon, you'll find yourself back in town in no time. If you can't wait and it's open, you can grab a beer at the @poi[Sun Valley Club](1533303). Or get back into town for a sub at @poi[Johnny G's](1533302) or burritos and beer at @poi[Despo's](1543659). *You earned it!*
# Around the area

* @poi[Wildhorse Guard Station](1533299)
* @poi[Wild Horse Creek Ranch](1533573)

# Camping

Lots of camping options on this route if you don't want to stay in town:
* @poi[Boundary](1533300)
* @poi[Park Creek](1533301)

## Miscellaneous Notes
I ride 35c tires on this which get the job done. The descent back down the canyon on Trail Creek Rd is very rough and washboard at times, so the bigger the tires the better.

*2 full water bottles on this ride should be the minimum, as services are non-existent. Plenty of streams along the way if you want to treat water.*

**Bring your camera!**

## Want to do the official event? You should. Find out [**here**](http://www.rebeccasprivateidaho.com/).

Rebecca's Private Idaho Small Fry

Route Overview

Route Details

Other routes by Sun Valley Adventures

The Harriman Gravel Adventure

Sun Valley Family Cruise

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