Trails in Idaho

[gorillamel]

(This is a work in progress page)

So, seeing as I am the only member (so far) from my great state of Idaho, and most people will never visit (be honest with yourself now...), I will be posting up trails I have been on. My aim is to make this kind of like the Funtreks books that (oh so lucky and overpopulated) Colorado, Moab and N CA/Tahoe have. Someday I hope Idaho will have something like this as well, but, until then, this will have to do. Granted, I live in SW Idaho, so it will have by far the most notes.

Easy: Any stock rig could do the trail.
Moderate: Some areas may require higher clearance, skids/sliders. Or may be more difficult in wet conditions.
Difficult: Fully armored rig is a must (to prevent body damage). Preference for lockers and higher-than-stock clearance.

Other useful info for Idaho trails/traveling:

• Idaho Scenic Byways
• OHV/Jeep trails Idaho
• Official State of Idaho Maps webpage (lots of useful links here!)

Google map of the trails I have been on HERE.

 

[gorillamel]

Southeast Idaho

Includes the following counties: Bannock, Bear Lake, Bingham, Bonneville, Caribou, Clark, Franklin, Freemont, Jefferson, Madison, Oneida, Power, Teton

 

[gorillamel]

Southwest Idaho

Includes the following counties: Ada, Adams, Boise, Canyon, Elmore, Gem, Owyhee, Payette, Valley, Washington

Owyhee Front Range*BLM Trail Map here

Trail #3702/Kane Springs Rd
Directions: Take Reynolds Creek Rd SW, turn off @Kane Springs (left).
Easy to Moderate: near end of trail approaching blue water tower atop rocky outcropping (private land). Climb up rocky incline requires higher clearance (4lo) and possibly a spotter if rocks have shifted (rocky wall on left and drop-off to right). Soon after trail ends at Rabbit Creek Rd.
Moderate to difficult if trail conditions are wet.

Reynolds Creek Rd to Rabbit Creek Rd Loop
Distance/Directions: Reynolds Creek to Reynolds Watershed is 12mi, connect to Rabbit Creek (ends @Murphy, ID) another 12mi. Take Hwy 78 W towards Marsing back to turn off for Reynolds Creek Rd. Total mileage: approx 50mi.
Easy: Reynolds Creek Rd is paved until you reach the watershed area. Rabbit Creek Rd is a wide smooth dirt road, but can be slippery in wet conditions. Hwy 78 is paved (65mph).
This is just a scenic road. Does not require any technical driving. There are many turn offs on the road to more technical trails.

Silver City Rd/Owyhee Uplands Backcountry Byway (coordinates: @43.158486,-116.509151)
The first 8mi of the Silver City Rd are paved, the rest is a dirt road, well-maintained in the summer (impassible until about May). From the turn off on Hwy 78 to Silver City is 21mi.
Easy (in dry conditions, otherwise Moderate to Difficult in wet): this is a very scenic and enjoyable drive. Much information is available from the BLM on this area/road.
BLM Silver City Brochure
An abundance of trails exist in the Silver City area. Be sure to ALWAYS have a map with you so you do not get lost (this is very remote territory). Trails range from easy to difficult.
Another way to reach Silver City is from Oregon via the Owyhee Uplands Backcountry Byway. Information can be found here

*Note: the Owyhee Front is an open range and also home to herds of wild horses. So be on the lookout for domestic and wild hoofstock.

Boise Foothills

Robie Creek (map here)
This area is usually under water for summer. Once Lucky Peak Reservoir is drained, you can drive around the abandoned highway that is usually under water. This can be a very muddy area. Do not wheel here alone.
Enter just before the bridge that crosses the creek. Go straight at the bridge instead of curving with the road and there is a dirt path leading down to the highway.
Or you can enter at the boat ramp- cross Robie Creek to the other side where the road is.

 

[gorillamel]

South-central Idaho

Includes the following counties: Blaine, Butte, Camas, Cassia, Custer, Gooding, Jerome, Lemhi, Lincoln, Minidoka, Twinfalls

 

[gorillamel]

Panhandle/Northern Idaho​

Includes the following counties: Benewah, Bonner, Boundary, Clearwater, Idaho, Kootenai, Latah, Lewis, Nezperce, Shoshone

 

[Macland]

A good friend of mine got a job with the US Forrest Service with the game and fish there in Idaho. His district is Soda Springs. His pics from there are beautiful.

 

[gorillamel]

I've only lived here for 2 years and it seems to me to perhaps stay my home state for a while (which is rare for me). I love it and try to get cool people, i.e. X owners, to come visit and play. You should go visit your friend and bring the X! :-D

 

[Macland]

If I do I'll definitely hit you up. It's a place I'd like to visit to see something new. I have aspirations to visit all 50 states and as of now my plan is to do most of those during retirement. Idaho is beautiful though.

 

[gorillamel]

Oh you need to visit! Soda Springs is not anywhere near me, but it just gives you an excuse to travel and see more awesome stuff!

 

[Macland]

Haha, that's the spirit.

 

[JtaoJ]

SE Idaho here, part time. My Xperience started with a new then 2000 Solar Yellow purchased while I lived in Pocatello. Now have a 2005 Offroad. Currently live In Northern Utah, but own a place on Malad Summit. Wheeled around SE ID a bit when we lived there. We come up about once a month or more and ride our ATVs mostly. But, offroading in the area around Soda is awesome, Blackfoot Reservoir, etc. Also around Lava.

Would live to hear about trails across SW and SE ID. There is a trail that I have not figured out where it is that goes from Northern Utah to City Of Rocks, Idaho.

We miss Idaho...great place, close to lots of outdoor action.

 

[gorillamel]

I'll update my OP later this week. I've discovered quite a few more trails. I've been hanging out with some of the off road clubs out here to learn more about the wheeling options (and so I'm not doing it alone).

I have no experience in SE Idaho, though I drove through most of those areas last week (not in the X). Would love to meet up sometime and see the rest of the state if you want to.

 

[dev12692]

Ha this thread is so awesome! Mind if I post a couple of trails that I used to wheel my 4runner on?

 

[gorillamel]

Go for it! I actually forgot I had started this thread. Lately, I've been posting my adventures here: Idaho Adventures.

Thanks for reminding me to update this with all the trails I've been on for the past 1.5yrs since I started this thread, haha~

 

[dev12692]

ill most likely post the trails I know on Friday when I get Internet and can actually post other than on my phone and at work xD

 

[Bdcottom]

SE Idaho here, part time. My Xperience started with a new then 2000 Solar Yellow purchased while I lived in Pocatello. Now have a 2005 Offroad. Currently live In Northern Utah, but own a place on Malad Summit. Wheeled around SE ID a bit when we lived there. We come up about once a month or more and ride our ATVs mostly. But, offroading in the area around Soda is awesome, Blackfoot Reservoir, etc. Also around Lava.

Would live to hear about trails across SW and SE ID. There is a trail that I have not figured out where it is that goes from Northern Utah to City Of Rocks, Idaho.

We miss Idaho...great place, close to lots of outdoor action.

I will have to try and find that trail City of Rocks is like an hour away from me!