Go Fish Wilderness Loop

Ketchum / Hailey, Idaho

The “Go Fish” route allows you to fish some of Idaho’s best blue ribbon streams while circumventing the Boulder White Clouds Mountains and riding/hiking the only bike passage between the Hemingway-Boulder Wilderness, White Cloud Wilderness and the McClure-Jerry Peak Wilderness. Congress designated these 3 areas on August 7, 2015. Upon traversing the wilderness section, you will emerge to a cinematic view of the Sawtooth Mountain Range on your way up and over Galena Summit back to Ketchum, Idaho.

“All this he saw, for one moment breathless and intense, vivid on the morning sky; and still, as he looked, he lived; and still, as he lived, he wondered.” ― The Wind in the Willows

Head out of town towards Trail Creek Summit and get a feel for what riders experience participating in Rebbecc’s Private Idaho Race. An early start avoids vehicle traffic and dust. A short optional singletrack trail starting at Corral Creek Campground follows Trail Creek and provides multiple fishing opportunities. After grinding up Trail Creek Rd to the summit, cruise down to the forks of the Big Lost. The North Fork intersects Trail Creek Road several times on your descent from the summit with breathtaking views of the  Pioneer Mountains to the south. After wetting your line continue on to the famous main Big Lost River and its elusive Copper Basin Western-Slope Cutthroat. Catching these fish is a fly fisherman’s dream. The route turns to pavement after crossing North Fork Big Lost for the last time, just past the junction of Rd 135 and Trail Creek Rd. The North Fork and the East Fork converge with the main Big Lost here and you can fish and camp until turning north on Sage Creek Rd. Ride Sage Creek Rd. to Walker Creek Rd. to the junction of Pecks Canyon (right) and the gradual climb to the top before descending down to East Fork Road (left). East Fork road parallels the East Fork of the Salmon River and the road begins as pavement then turns to gravel as you make your way to an access gate across private land. There is lots of excellent fishing after the pavement section where the road follows the river all the way up to the single track (Trail 112) at the Bowery Guard Station and into the wilderness. The single track trailhead begins shortly after crossing through the private parcel and the two gates. 

You will emerge at Grand Price Trailhead and ride down Rd 197 until it links with Valley Rd and the West Fork of the Salmon River. The question you have to ask yourself here is whether you can catch a fish on both the East and West Fork Salmon drainages. If you so choose you can take a little side trip to Smiley Creek Lodge to eat, resupply, or dip your toes in the headwaters of the Main Salmon River. Or you can continue on to Galena Lodge by riding up the Old Toll Road to the summit where then you cross Highway 75 continue up gravel road about 50 yards, turn right and pick up the Old Toll singletrack down to the Northwood Trail (right Turn) to the lodge. The lodge is yet another chance for delicious food, drink and people watching.  From the lodge, ride the Harriman Trail along the Big Wood River to the end, jump on Highway 75 then onto the Wood River bike path that will take you into Ketchum. You will find many appealing fishing spots and a soak in the Easley Hot Springs along the Harriman Trail.

Route Design Cues

I prefer riding counterclockwise because the two lodges and resupply points come after the hike-a-bike section, and the excitement of fishing for the elusive Western Slope Cutthroat on day one is a great incentive. Bowery Hot Springs and the USFS Guard Station are at mile 80, marking the start of the single-track and the intermittent hike-a-bike section. I recommend tackling this section in the morning after a relaxing soak in the hot springs and a good night’s rest. This is an exceptional wilderness section of the route. I believe most riders will be pushing their bikes more than riding, earning their “Go Fish” badge in the process, but a huckleberry shake awaits as a reward. Don’t miss the Old Toll Trail on the way down from Galena Summit to the lodge. The Harriman Trail doubletrack is pure joy all the way to the end.

Water

You will have multiple filterable water sources all along this route and should not stress about water. You will also have tap water/sugar drinks at both lodges.

Highlights

Clear Mountain Streams, Wild Trout, Hot Springs, Bowery Guard Station, Designated Wilderness, Smiley Creek Lodge(Food, Drink, Huckleberry Shakes, lodging),Galena Lodge(food, drink, camping, flow trails), Multiple Summit Views, Fish-A-Lot.

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