Oregon Gulch Tr. #183
Details (11/23/2024)
| Status: | Partial |
| Difficulty: | Advanced |
| Uses: | Mt Biking & Hiking & Equestrian |
| Length: | 6.2 miles |
| Start: | 6,221' |
| End: | 8,474' |
| Min: | 6,221' |
| Max: | 8,548' |
| Gain: | 2,763' |
| Loss: | -515' |
Elevation Profile
// track pieces: 1578, // elevation pieces: 1578
Trailhead Forecast (11/23/2024)
Description / Access Information
Oregon Gulch Tr. #183: The low end of the Oregon Gulch Trail is accessed at the Oregon Gulch Trailhead, which is approximately 8 miles north of Ketchum on the west side of Highway 75. The trailhead is unsigned at the highway, so that makes it rather hard to locate. If you are heading north toward the trailhead, you have gone too far if you get to the SNRA Headquarters/Visitors Center. Once you locate the entrance road to the trailhead, follow the unsigned dirt access road a short distance west - into the trailhead area.
The Oregon Gulch Trail has a seasonal designation for motorcycle and e-bike use and is open to those uses from May 1 through August 29 of each year.
This 6.2 mile long trail has two distinct personalities. The lower 3 miles, between the trailhead and the intersection with the Oregon-Fox Connector Trail No. 311, is mellow and makes for a nice out-and-back for hikers and cyclists looking for an easier outing. The lowest portion of the trail is quite open and exposed to the sun. Shadier, rockier, more challenging conditions predominate further up on the lower, 3-mile long portion of the trail.
Above its intersection with the OR-Fox Connector Tr. 311, the Oregon Gulch Trail kicks up steeply as it follows the ridge line up, and up, to the trails terminus at the East Fork of Baker Creek Road. If riding "upper Oregon" as a descent, look for the "OREGON GULCH TR. NO. 183" sign 6.5 miles up the East Fork Baker Creek Rd. The trail and sign are on the left (east side of the road), just beyond a larger, flatter roadway-saddle.
Oregon Gulch Trail can be used to help form a challenging, but very nice, 10.8-mile loop route that begins and ends at the Oregon Gulch Trailhead. To follow this loop you travel up the Oregon Gulch Trail for about 3 miles to turn left onto the OR-Fox Creek Connector Trail. At the Chocolate Gulch Trail No. 312 turn left again to climb over into Chocolate Gulch to the intersection with Saddle Trail No. 326. Again, turning left, Saddle Trail brings you back to the Oregon Gulch Trailhead.
The Oregon Gulch Trail is open to motorcycle and ebike use from May 1 through August 29.
*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. .JPG)