Sun Valley Trail/Elkhorn Path - (Elkhorn / Ketchum Loop)
| Status: |
Partial |
| Difficulty: |
Beginner |
| Uses: |
Mt Biking & Hiking & Road Biking & eBikes |
| Length: |
6.5 miles |
| Start: |
5,735' |
| End: |
5,793' |
| Min: |
5,735' |
| Max: |
6,127' |
| Gain: |
524' |
| Loss: |
-466' |
// track pieces: 279, // elevation pieces: 279
Sun Valley Trail/Elkhorn Path: This multi-use route ties into the Wood River Trail and is part of our valley's extensive paved pathway system. This loop leaves the Wood River Trail near the Elkhorn stoplight on Hwy 75. From there it heads east along Elkhorn Creek before beginning to bend more northerly near Juniper Road and Twin Creeks areas. Once up near Morningstar Road the path really swings north and starts interacting with the Elkhorn Golf Course paths and facilities.
Cresting near the intersection of Elkhorn Road and Village Way, the Elkhorn Path drops down alongside Dollar Mountain to pass in front of Sun Valley Resort's Carol's Dollar Mountain Lodge. Just past the lodge the trail meets a major motor-vehicle intersection at the junction of Elkhorn Road, Old Dollar Road (goes to the Sun Valley Resort Lodge) and Dollar Road. The Elkhorn Path goes left/west here, to parallel Dollar Road.
Paralleling Dollar Road, the Elkhorn Path passes by Dollar Pond Dam, then the Sun Valley Pavilion. The pavilion is an impressive fabric-tensile structure covering a 1,500 seat amphitheater and home to the Sun Valley Summer Symphony. The path then meets the intersection of Dollar/Saddle Road and Sun Valley Road. From there trail users can turn left/southwest toward Ketchum, go straight/northwest toward Hwy 75 and then the Warm Springs region, or right/northeast toward the White Cloud Trails, Sun Valley Lodge, or points beyond.
Past Morningstar, the path mingles with the Elkhorn Golf Course and its neighboring townhomes, condos and mega-homes. Cresting, the trail drops to parallel Dollar Road, the seventh fairway of the golfcourse, and the quarter-dollar ski run on Sun Valley Resort's Dollar Mountain.
For those wishing to complete the loop of the trail, turn left and travel past the horse pastures and into Ketchum. Once in Ketchum, trail users can follow the 'bike lane' signs through town (right on Spruce, left on 4th St.) to be taken through town and a reconnection with the Wood River Trail. Turn left onto the Wood River Trail to follow it past the Sun Valley Resort's River Run area and on to the Wood River Trail's connection to the Elkhorn Path - near the traffic light at Hwy 75 and Elkhorn Road.
*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.