Fox Creek Trail #149
| Status: |
Partial |
| Difficulty: |
Intermediate |
| Uses: |
Mt Biking & Hiking & Equestrian |
| Length: |
6.8 miles |
| Start: |
5,979' |
| End: |
5,980' |
| Min: |
5,976' |
| Max: |
6,657' |
| Gain: |
1,229' |
| Loss: |
-1,229' |
|
|
// track pieces: 880, // elevation pieces: 880
--Fox Creek Trail #149: A valley favorite, the trail offers pretty wildflowers, nice views, and a riverside section that follows the edge of the Big Wood River. The top of the climb, from the Fox Creek side, was burned in 2007. Avoid burned areas of the forest when storms are forecast, as burned trees are especially vulnerable to coming down in inclement weather.
An awesome hike or run. The loop is also a great one-way, counter-clockwise mountain bike ride. The lower reaches of the trail are open to two-way mountain bike traffic. The higher reaches of the trail are open to mountain bikes traveling north to south only, so if you want to ride it as a loop, the direction of travel is counter-clockwise.
Directions: You can ride to this trail from town, following the paved path system and area roads to reach the trail. You can also travel north on Highway 75 to the BLM Lake Creek Trailhead, or USFS Fox Creek Trailhead, to access the trail. The Lake Creek Trailhead is a little over 3 miles north of town - its north of the entrance road to the Hulen Meadows subdivision, the next left after the subdivision, if you are traveling north. There is a vault toilet on the south side of the parking area, and picnic tables in the cottonwood trees on the north side of the lot.
To reach the Fox Creek Trailhead travel about 6 miles up Hwy 75 to the gravel entrance road for it. It's on the left as you are heading north. The road is FS Road 020. Drive slowly into the trailhead to help keep dust down for neighbors, and watch for oncoming vehicles and people with pets. The road tightens as it turns into the trailhead parking area, and the entry zone is often busy with distracted people, and sometimes off-leash pets. (Please leash your pets, especially at trailheads and other busy areas.) The road is very short and you are soon into the trailhead parking area.
The day-use only trailhead includes pull-through parking and other facilities to help accommodate horseback riders or others who may be pulling trailers. Thank you Sawtooth Back Country Horsemen, Big Wood Backcountry Trails and others for helping to fund many of the facilities that are provided at the Fox Creek Trailhead.
There is a vault toilet near the parking area, an information kiosk with large map displays and route ideas (tip: consider taking cell-phone pictures of the big maps and kiosk direction ideas; for reference out on the trails). There is a modest, but very pleasant, one-table river-side picnic spot; it is just south of the kiosk.
*For more detailed descriptions, topo maps, and information on the history, geology, and wildflowers of the Wood River Valley pick up a copy of Exploring Sun Valley online or find it at one of several local shops.