Fizzy's Adventure on the Idaho Hot Springs Mountain Bike Route

[trailhead]

Fizzy is back to tell about our latest bicycle touring adventure on the Idaho Hot Springs Mountain Bike Route (IHSMBR).
For those of you who don't know Fizzy and friends, you can read this:
http://www.mtbnj.com/forum/threads/...ain-bike-adventure-montana.40189/#post-670064

Hello, .................................................................................….I'm Fizzy

and I have three purposes in life
1) ride on Sherri's bike
2) scare away Cougars
3) make Sherri smile

and I'm ……………………………………………………………….Four Eyes

I keep Trailhead...…………………….on the right trail...…................................and make Sherri laugh...………….....at Trailhead.

We traveled the IHSMBR which is an off road bicycle touring route advertised and supported by the Adventure Cycling Association, who maintains the maps and provides updates. https://www.adventurecycling.org/cyclosource-store/route-maps/idaho-hot-springs-mountain-bike-route/
One of the nice things about the IHSMBR, as opposed to the GDMBR is that you can start and finish at the same location, in this case Boise Idaho.
There are options for several loop distances, we ended up doing the shorter one using the Lowman Cutoff.
In all, we traveled 450 miles over 11 consecutive days, camping all but two nights.
This tour was self supported, so we made all the arrangements, navigated, and carried all the things we needed to travel though and camp in the remote back country of Idaho.
……....more to come.

 

[Norm]

In for all 11 episodes!

 

[trailhead]

Now if your wondering how the heck Trailhead convinced Sherri that riding the bicycle, this time loaded with camping gear, would be more fun, it went something like this...……..

"They want to go on a bicycle tour with us!"...…said Sherri
They, being Chris and Heather from Alberta, were a couple we became friends with on the bicycle tour in Montana, 2 years prior.
"Mid July, just us, they are open to location"...."What fun!...I'm so excited!"...……...........and that is all it took.

and so in the late fall of 2017, the planning for this trip started.

 

[trailhead]

The adventure starts in Boise, which turns out to be a very nice city. We arrive mid Saturday, and get the free shuttle from the Airport to the Hotel as we are car free for two weeks. After checking in, and securing a first floor room ( preferred when traveling with bikes), we are off to the shop to retrieve our bikes.
They were shipped out ahead of time, via Bikeflights.com to Bike Touring News who assembled them for us.
The shop is a one man (Ryan), one dog operation that caters to the bike touring community, and most appropriate for us though there were many other shops in town.
In a separate box, we shipped out several packs with the camping gear. Ryan worked with us to mount racks, pedals and packs to our bikes and stood by for us to take test spins and make sure all was working well. He also provided some information about the route , after which made me question more our abilities to complete it.
We head off with laden bikes for downtown to retrieve a few items from Idaho Mountain Touring which is a general outdoor gear supply shop. Since we could not ship nor carry stove fuel on the plane, we needed to get a few canisters and a few other items. It is 90 degrees, and the realization hits that the combination of weather and heavy bikes will test us like never before.

After getting our supplies, we go back to the Riverside Hotel and settle in. Our bike tour starts on Monday, Chris and Heather arrive on Sunday, so we have time to relax and enjoy the hotel, which is a bit more like a mini resort. There is a pool, an outdoor Bar/restaurant called the SandBar, and it is right on the Greenway.
This is the place to be!.........for now.

 

[trailhead]

A little more about "Boise on the GreenBelt", because you see, it can influence how long you decided to stay on trail.
From the Riverside hotel we were within a short walk to Quinn's Pond, which is a newly created park that diverts a portion of the Boise River to create lakes for swimming and boating.

This part of a multi phase project to make a world class Boise White Water Park( check out the video!)
We had no idea that Boise would have such an awesome "Surf Scene"

Complete with Surf Shop

and of course a cool Bar....the YardArm.

 

[trailhead]

Sunday morning we spend time refining the packing of the bikes.
Some things are straight forward, like tent and sleeping bags, but since Sherri also took initiative to pack we have some redundancies and realize there is too much stuff.
So we lay it all out and selectively pick what is not needed. For example, the latest weather report shows a heat wave and little chance of rain, as a result the rain pants and shoe covers stay behind. There was some concern that once we hit the Stanley area, weather could be real cold, but at this point very unlikely. Extra tire pump..toss…...lantern...toss...it doesn't get dark till very late....etc

 

[trailhead]

The best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry.

In the afternoon Chris and Heather arrive and it is great to see them again. It has been two years but they both are still very thin and fit, and I hope in their eyes I don't look too old or fat! Their bikes apparently have taken a more circuitous travel route, and were not with them upon arrival. They are informed that there are more flights into Boise and it should be no problem getting them here later in the afternoon. We spend time bar and poolside, having lunch and getting caught up on life situations and expectations for the trip. Eventually we get around to talking health and fitness and while they had been training for the ride and doing very well, Chris discloses that he has just recently been having back problems. The pain is severe at times and potentially debilitating. "I know what eventually my decision is going to have to be, but I am not ready to accept it yet" Chris says. Later, the bikes arrive and we assemble them on the patio near the pool. The plan is that they will load them up and take a spin that night, and based on what his body says, will decide what to do.

 

[trailhead]

Sunday evening, Chris acknowledges that while riding the bike itself does not feel to be damaging, the loaded bike on any moderate incline was pain inducing and he thought it best not to try and ride the route with a loaded bike. The fact is, within 60 miles, the route will take us into areas with no cell service and no easy way out. The possibility of getting laid up in the middle of nowhere was too great. As an alternative, he made arrangements to rent a pick up truck. They will start the ride with us, but turn back and get the truck to meet us at a predetermined campsite later in the evening.

 

[Patrick]

Safe travels.
I'm sure the adventure will provide great stories of an unexpected origin.

 

[trailhead]

It's the big day, what we have been preparing for a long time. We get up early, hit up the breakfast buffet as soon as it opens and meet up on the Greenbelt for departure. We soon leave behind all the comforts and security of our resort oasis.

On the Greenbelt

At the End of the GreenBelt we arrive at Lucky Peak State Park. This is a recreational area as well as a power generation site. the route climbs to the top of the dam and we opt to take the gravel road up as opposed to the Highway.

The gravel climb to the top of the dam is our first with the loaded bike. Its already getting hot and there is no shade. Chris and Heather are far ahead, we pace ourselves so as not to burn out early. Once on top we divert down a cul-de-sac that overlooks the reservoir. This unfortunately, is where we part ways. Chris tries to convince Heather, rather insistently, that she continue on with us, but she refuses. We split, but we are not too disheartened, as we will meet up later in the day. Now only two, we head out on the highway for everything new, and our first mountain pass (Highland Valley Summit 3769').

 

[trailhead]

After the mountain pass on Highway 21, we turn off and once again see Lucky Peak Lake. There is a very large marina, but not much activity. A sign on the road indicates a café with food so we pull in. There is not much appetizing to choose from, but I grab a frozen burrito anyway. Rule #1 of bike packing, never pass up food.

The road finally turns to gravel and after another slow climb to the top of a dam we arrive at the Arrowrock reservoir.

It is around 11am, the sun is high and it is at least 90 degrees. The road can be seen far in the distance, we have many miles of this ahead.
The road is a mix of white sand and rock, washboard and deeper sand along the edge which you clearly need to stay away from. The water level is low, and the bank along the road edge is very steep. Fortunately, the grade is minimal, and we settle into a fairly good pace, at times using the aero position.

We then come across, a very interesting yet disgusting and most vile creature...……...
"The carnivorous crickets of Arrowrock"

In places they span the entire width of the road, in the hundreds, and as we pass they jump wildly in all unpredictable directions....sometimes under tire...thus fueling the life cycle.

 

[trailhead]

Eventually we reach the end of the reservoir and are now along the North Fork of the Boise River. We come across the " Willow Creek " camping area, and decide its a good place to take a rest for a few hours. There is a nice wide beach, and the current along the shoreline is not too swift, so we go for a swim, nap and munch on the burrito.

We still have about 8 miles to reach our goal for the day, so we again leave the oasis on head out onto the road. As we follow the river, the valley narrows, and pass through a rather narrow canyon.

Finally we reach the Troutdale Campground. There is nobody there so have our pick of campsites.
We are next to the river, and the current is quite fast with a small set of rapids. Had we an inner tube, could have had a blast running them. Instead we use the back current from an eddy to stay safely next to shore. After about an hour, Chris and Heather arrive in the pickup truck with their bikes and camping gear.

55mi, 2200ft
https://www.strava.com/activities/1720779887

 

[trailhead]

7/10/18 Tuesday as described by Sherri

The air is crisp and invigorating for our morning start out of Troutdale campground. Chris and Heather are along for the ride up to the base of Steel Mountain. They plan to turn around there, at Pfeifer Creek Road, get the pickup truck and join us on the other side of the mountain.

Brown's Creek Hot Spring, a "cool" hot spring shower on the other side of the river... looks inviting, but current in the River is swift and cold.

View from one of the many switchbacks going up Steel Mountain.

Still pedaling up... and up... .. where's the top of this mountain anyway? There's a sneaky false summit to throw you off, so don't get excited too soon. We persevere up to the crest at 7,150 ft.

View from somewhere on Steel Mountain. Although not seen in this shot, the variety and density of wildflowers was spectacular... and even more amazing were all the butterflies! They were all over the road and as @trailhead rode past, they would stir and flutter all around me. They magically made the climb seem not quite so strenuous.

On our descent from Steel Mountain we pass a bunch of ATVs operated by "grandma, grandpa" and the whole family.. dogs included. .The descent is fast despite the sandy washed out road and we quickly roll upon the ghost town of Rocky Bar. An old mining town, most of the buildings are dilapidated, and unfortunately signage prohibits exploring. It doesn't look very haunted or scary anyway. Shortly after Rocky Bar there's another climb... this one only a mere 5,333 feet; we were rejoined by Chris and Heather. Chris drove the truck while Heather bombed the downhill.

What a welcome sight! Cyndie's Featherville Café offers delicious food and cold beverages - much earned after the Steel Mountain climb. Pat, the owner is a most friendly and helpful guy! He filled us in on all kinds of useful trail information, like the challenges ahead, the river flow rates, how many bikers stopped in before us and which way they were going, average number of cyclists per year, best driving route for Chris and Heather. MollyMae, a mellow black lab and the restaurant mascot, will help you out if you drop anything while eating.. and if the helpings are too big, no worries, she'll finish off the extra fries. But we ate it all and even got wraps to go for dinner later... a night that we can skip dehydrated meals in a pouch. woo hoo!

Full bellies and 10 miles to go to Baumgartner Campground and hot spring; a sunny, hot and slow 10 miles... NEVER a tail wind... not yet anyway. But campground and hot spring ahead, so we pedal on...

Ahhh. camp is set! home sweet home for the night. After getting the dust off in the river, we look for warmer water. The hot spring is right across the camp road and parking area and up a small hill. It's a rectangular concrete pool and is a perfect temperature and the four of us have it to ourselves for a while. Afterward we enjoy a quite night of good conversation at the picnic table before calling it a night. A midnight trek to the bathroom is rewarded by a night sky full of a gazillion stars. The Milky Way is never so clear in Jersey, that's for certain.

https://www.strava.com/activities/1720787420
54mi, 4800ft

 

[Patrick]

hope you caught a bit of the meteor shower....so jelly!

 

[trailhead]

7/11/18

This day was the most difficult in several ways. First, it would be the day we split from Chris and Heather for the remainder of the bike tour. After two days of driving the pickup down dusty washboard roads, they had decided this was not the way they wanted to spend their vacation. Better to spend the time where he could properly tend to the back. This obviously was very disappointing as we very much enjoyed the company, but understandable.

So on Wednesday morning, we set off early down NF-227 for what we were told would be a very difficult section. There were to be several places where we would have to carry the bikes as a result of the road being taken away by the river. Where the road once was would either be under water, or an impenetrable pile of debris. This only leaves the hillside, which is basically a rock slide to gain passage. There is an alternative trail, but it is considerably more technical, with more distance, elevation gain and may be blocked from downfall. So we decide to stick with the main route.

The first washout must have happened several years ago as it is captured in satellite coverage.

After about 3 miles from the campground, we encounter the first washout.

We first take Sherri's bike as it is lighter.

At about halfway, we go back for the other bike. It is much heavier, and decide to have Sherri pull with a rope as I lift from behind.
The technique works well, but kind of funny as it is like leading a stubborn mule down the trail.

With get both bikes through without damage, and after about a mile, reach the second washout. A little bit shorter, but harder as more lifting and squeezing between rocks is needed.

The washouts have significantly reduced the amount of people into the area. The only tracks on the road are that of bikes, deer and something with bigger hoofs.
The third washout is not as rocky, nor the water very deep, and but we still have to take one bike at a time.

The last washout involves either three portages, or leading the bikes along a steep riverbank with only inches available for footing.
This photo taken in 2017 shows riverbank trail, with more footing than was available in 2018, as the erosion has continued.

We opt for the riverbank, which is extremely narrow and barely enough to be alongside a bike. The bushes tangle themselves in the bike halting progress.
It is rather frustrating and scary as this is a very remote area. At one point, I fall off and into the river, but manage to maintain hold of the 50lb bike over my head. The river is about two feet deep and the flow rate 1600cfs.

We have traveled about 13 miles and it has taken 3 1/2 hours.
The day is far from over...…………..

 

[trailhead]

With all the obstacles behind us, we arrive at the Smoky Bar outpost around noon.
We are welcomed by Kaylynn, the 3rd generation owner and Zac.
The outside is adorned with many hummingbird feeders, and as a result many bickering hummingbirds.
Inside is dim and only a bit cooler than outside, as there is no electrical service out here.
We are told that supplies are thin and they need to make a run which is a hundred mile round trip.
"The truckers won't deliver out here", In response, we ask "whatcha got?".
She feeds us a good lunch as we talk tourism, and are told to be the first they recall from Jersey.

We would love to stay, but roll we must, and the flat terrain makes for some fast miles.

Its mid day, once again above 90, and full sun. Ahead is Dollar Hide, a substantial mountain, but we don't want to climb it now, so we decide to hang out at Worsick Hot Spring. Like many, this hot spring dumps into a river and so you can find just the right place with a temperature to your liking. There is no shade here, wide open and for some reason creepy. We tried to use the shade from a patch of pine trees, but there are lots of biting flies, rodent burrows and.....snake!....big snake!...back up!....Gopher snake I think...not poisionous but still not a good place to lay around. So out in the open we pitch tent so we can shade there, and keep the gear cooler. We hang out for several hours, see a few visitors come and go...but still....creepy. Despite swimming, we require a lot of water to stay hydrated. As we are filtering, I notice on the far side of the stream bank a footprint. Sherri confirms it is a large cougar track. Well, so much for camping here tonight! With renewed motivation, we pack up and set off to tackle Dollar Hide.

The climb goes on....and on.....starting at 3:30pm we top out at 7:30pm.

As we descend the backside of Dollar Hide, I notice a dust storm around the next bend. I have absolutely no idea what it could be, and so quite surprised to see a flock of sheep. I then recall from reading that the area is known for its sheep herding which was traditionally tended by Basque Sheepmen, "those who emigrated from the Basque Country, a region in the Pyrenees Mountains comprising parts of southern France and northern Spain, in 1929" and more currently by Peruvians who get a work visa to do so. In this case, a Peruvian wearing a soccer outfit stood up the hillside. He barely acknowledged us, but gave some command to the sheep dogs who immediately cleared the road for us, and then gave us the look "get on or join the flock".

We descend for yet another hour until we reach our desired destination, "Frenchman's Hot Spring".
Now out of the National Forest, we need a place to camp , so upon arrival we ask some folks soaking if they know of a campsite.
They suggest just down the road next to the bridge, and this turns out to be a trailhead of a spur to the "Warrior" trail. There is just enough room for a small tent, and as the sun sets and we set up our tent, a few motorcycles exit the trail. We eat dinner in a bag and go for a soak. Though stealth camping we have no issues. This evening is very chilly, we shiver parts of the night......camping next to the river sometimes is not so good.
an extremely long day 51.5mi 4265'
https://www.strava.com/activities/1720791268

 

[Norm]

Best post yet. I enjoyed that, especially the part about the cougar paw print and me not needing to camp anywhere near it.

 

[Kaleidopete]

A great adventure and it makes for a great read. Thanks for posting this story.
We'll all have to chip in and send you both out on another adventure soon!

 

[JimN]

That Hot Spring sign might as well just say "No fun."

 

[Patrick]

That Hot Spring sign might as well just say "No fun."

it doesn't say No Brownies.

@trailhead - have you ever considered carrying a sidearm out there? Do you have any other defenses? BAK or some nasty spray?