Mountain Bike Ride to Fall Creek Resort in Idaho

This June 6, 2017, ride follows a relatively flat forest service road from a public boat ramp to a resort on Anderson Ranch Reservoir.

This is the Evans Creek Campground, a nice place to fish, swim or just wade in the water during a #MTB ride.

The Anderson Ranch Reservoir Mountain Bike Ride Story

During the summer of 2017, I rode the fire road from near Anderson Ranch Dam to the Fall Creek Resort area a number of times. It's a scenic ride with perks many other mountain bike rides cannot offer. But it certainly isn't technical or physically demanding unless you wish it to be.

It's a ride that allows you to turn around and head back at any point while still providing outstanding views. There is also a few different options to extend this ride by many miles. Plus, there are a number of places along the route that have access to swimming and fishing in the reservoir.

The fire road on the right side of the lake is visible. It's a long way down to the water.

The downside to riding this national forest service road is the traffic. During a weekday ride, you can expect to encounter between 5-10 vehicles on this out and back adventure. I don't recommend a weekend ride on this road due to the traffic. Throughout the ride, there many blind curves and considering much of the ride you'll be sharing the road with vehicles while perched on this narrow dirt road that hangs 25-150 feet above the lake, there is some danger of a bike-truck collision.

At the 8-9 miles point during the ride out, there is a rustic resort called the Fall Creek Resort and Marina (https://www.fallcreekresortandmarina.com/). Depending on the day, you could stop in and have a beer or even lunch.

A hazy morning but the views were great on Anderson Ranch Reservoir in Idaho

From the resort you have two options to extend this ride and both of them involve a climb into the mountains. I have ridden both fire roads and they are worth your time and energy. Again, traffic on these 1.5 lane dirt roads can be a problem, especially on weekends.

This June 6 ride was the first ride on my new Giant 2017 Talon 2 mountain bike and it was quite pleasant. The front shock and 27.5-inch tires certainly softened the day for me. Earlier in the year, I rode this route on a rigid Cannondale SM700 with no shocks or suspension. The difference was night and day.

If you are in the Boise, Idaho, USA area or even out at the Mountain Home Air Force Base and want to head out for a few hours, let me know and I'll work up an itinerary and some digital maps. "Knowing where to go is half the battle."

The MTB Details

Date Of Ride: June 6, 2017
Name of Ride: Elk Creek to Fall Creek and back Ride
Link To Photographs: https://goo.gl/photos/dd2ah6F5dZdUtNtk6
Total Biking Mileage: 16.6 miles - an out and back ride.
Vertical Feet: +1,635 feet / -1,636 feet
Average Slope: +2.8% / -2.7%
Elevation Ranges: 4,195 feet / 4,339 feet
Total Time on Trail: 2 hours 45 minutes
Facilities At Trailhead: A usually well-maintained pit toilet.
Gear Used: Gaint Talon 2 and Nalgene 3-liter hydration bladder
Land Ownership: Mostly a mixture of National Forest and Bureau of Reclamation lands. Best guess is this ride was completed on 99.8% public lands.
Road Mileage from Boise, Idaho to Trailhead: 71 miles
Online Map of This Biking Adventure: It's available. Contact me for more details.

Outdoor Concierge Services Available

An online map of this biking/fishing adventure is available by using the “Contact Me” form on this site or leaving me a comment on this story stating your wishes.

If you would like more information about mountain biking, hiking, rockhounding or any type of adventures in the (Danskin Mountains, along the Bruneau-Jarbidge Rivers Wilderness or Bruneau Desert), I will be glad to discuss some outdoor options. Use the contact form on this site I'll get back to you.

In Decline Statement

If venturing to this area, please understand the local opinion is my hometown of Mountain Home, Idaho is a city in decline. There are some businesses thriving, but not many. Your best options are to avoid the place completely and stock up on food, supplies, and gas elsewhere. #MountainHomeIdaho #CityInDecline

This story was originally published on November 19, 2017.

Thanks,





Tim Bondy
Freelance Writer & Citizen Journalist

I am currently a proud citizen journalist, aka, "enemy of the American People!"

Outskirts Of Boise Idaho Area Mountain Biking Ride

Last edited on May 5, 2017

The Boise Foothills are a well-known area for mountain biking. However, if you truly want to get away from the crowds and enjoy some dramatic scenery, heading 35-70 miles to the southeast can pay off. I went on "dirt road" ride on Thursday, May 4, 2017, and it was quite nice. No cars, no people and a lot of birds and a few deer.

1,000 feet above the South Fork of the Boise River on a mountain bike

Dixie Cutoff Road / Forest Service Road 164/164A

I'm just getting into shape and this eight mile, 1,050-foot elevation gain/loss ride on a dirt road located about one hour from downtown Boise was enjoyable, thigh-burning and a good start to what I hope is a long mountain biking season in my little neck of the Idaho wilds.

The entire ride was done on Boise National Forest Service Road 164/164A. Road 164A is a road that basically hangs 1,000 feet above the South Fork of the Boise River. It also follows the Little Camas irrigation canal for quite awhile. The scenery down, out, over and up is pretty darn dramatic, making this ride memorable.

Map Of Ride

Ride Information

• Total Distance: 8.3 miles
• Configuration: Out and back
• Elevation at Trailhead: 4,554 feet
• Highest Elevation: 4,917feet
• Total Elevation Gain/Loss: 1,051/1,054 feet
• Road Surface: Dirt and gravel very suitable to "just back on the bike after many years" type of riders.
• Facilities: None
• Location of Trailhead: 43.313733, -115.545583 or the intersection of Prairie Cutoff Road and Dixie Cutoff Road. 
• Bike: Cannondale SM700
• Link To Photos: https://goo.gl/photos/72B1tza5m8ZHCbL87

High point on the ride was just over 4,900 feet

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Originally published on May 5, 2017.

Thanks,


Tim Bondy
Freelance Writer & Citizen Journalist

I am currently a proud citizen journalist, aka "enemy of the American People!"
.

P.S. Mountain Home, Idaho is a town in decline. If you are traveling to the mountain biking destination highlighted in this story, I recommend buying all supplies, equipment, food and drink in Boise, Twin Falls or Fairfield.