White Clouds Loop
| Status: |
Partial |
| Difficulty: |
Beginner |
| Uses: |
Mt Biking & Hiking |
| Length: |
2.69 miles |
| Start: |
6,107' |
| End: |
6,032' |
| Min: |
6,032' |
| Max: |
6,245' |
| Gain: |
560' |
| Loss: |
-636' |
// track pieces: 2257, // elevation pieces: 2257
White Clouds Loop: The Sun Valley Company's White Cloud Trails are nice mellow trails close to town that open rather early in the spring. The White Clouds Loop utilizes three dirt trails and the paved Trail Creek Path to close its circuit.
White Clouds Hiking and Biking Trails: Surrounding the nine-hole White Clouds Golf Course, the White Clouds Hiking and Biking Trails provide a couple of easy dirt trail loops close to the Sun Valley Lodge. They are very popular with visitors and locals alike who are looking for a quick trail fix or an extension to a longer run or ride. The trails were designed and built to primarily serve newcomers to mountain biking and as handy, easy hiking routes. Guests staying at the nearby S.V. Lodge find these trails especially handy.
The trails were built in 2008 by the Sun Valley Company. The local trail group Big Wood Backcountry Trails worked with the Sun Valley Company in designing the trails. The S.V. Co. hired the International Mountain Bicycling Association to refine the designs and build the trails.
The trails offer five miles of easy hiking and biking. They provide a nice overview of Ketchum and parts of Sun Valley, with some excellent views of Baldy gained in a number of locations. There are several scenic overlooks equipped with benches.
There are five different sections of the White Clouds Hiking and Biking Trails - Valley View, Sellgren's, Big Wood Connector, Elk and Sunrise Trails. The Valley View and Sunrise trails form the 1.7 mile Sunrise Loop, and the Valley View, Sellegren's, Elk View Trails, and the paved Trail Creek Path form the 4 mile White Clouds Loop.
There are two primary trailheads, Carol's and Earl’s. They're just off the paved Trail Creek Path, along Trail Creek Rd. Parking is available at the Sun Valley Village (Carol's Trailhead) or the S.V. Clubhouse (Earl’s Trailhead). Access by foot or bike can be had at the west end of the Big Wood Connector Trail.
For more detailed information visit Sun Valley's trail map and information
here.
*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.