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Fisher Creek Loop

RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Intermediate Intermediate
 4.4 (76)
  1. Areas
  2. ID
  3. …Southwestern Idaho
  4. Sawtooth National Recreation Area
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“An outstanding taste of the riding up near Stanley - but it's just a taste! ”

Michael Ahnemann
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Map Key

17.7

Miles

28.5

KM

50%

Singletrack

8,125' 2,477 m

High

6,637' 2,023 m

Low

2,011' 613 m

Up

2,013' 614 m

Down

4%

Avg Grade (2°)

29%

Max Grade (16°)

Dogs Off-leash

E-Bikes Allowed

Overview

Although there's some paved and dirt road riding required to make this a full loop, the singletrack is a sweet reward. You're never too far from where you started, but this feels like a much more remote ride than it is.

And this is just a taste of the extensive network of trails in this area.

Description

Start at the Williams Creek trailhead off highway 75. There's plenty of parking here, and you'll be glad you can coast back to your car at the end of the ride. You'll be starting out with a road ride warmup. Ride about 2.3 miles until you see Fisher Creek Road on your left.

Take that left turn, and you'll slowly build up the wattage as you continue up the road. It starts out almost flat, working its way past some old cabins. The road is currently closed to vehicles just under 2 miles from the highway due to some big washouts, which have singletrack ride-arounds. It gets slightly steeper as it continues, but the first 2/3 of the climb is just a consistent grade, with increasingly interesting scenery along the way. You'll enter into the edge of a large burn zone, the result of a devastating fire that has drastically changed the landscape along this ride. But the parts down low are lush and green amongst the burned sticks coming out of the ground.

The last 1/3 of the climb gets quite a bit steeper - still rideable by most, but it's more of a grunt to the top. You'll come to a gap in a fence which marks the start of the singletrack, and the true start of the fun. There's a station to sign in here.

Get ready for a swoopy, fun descent along Fisher Creek Trail. It's a little loose in places, but generally flows well, letting you open it up a bit. Wind your way to the intersection with Pig Tail and Williams Creek trail.

Take a left on Williams Creek trail and get ready for more fun to come, but don't rejoice yet - you still have about 400' of climbing to get through. The climb is all singletrack, and not difficult at all, although there is a short washed-out section just before the saddle. The interesting scenery will keep you occupied, although you might find yourself wondering how beautiful and cool this ride would have been in the deep forest before the fire.

Eventually you'll reach the obvious high point, then you'll round a corner and down you go! It's hard not to grin on this one - the trail surface is tacky with tree cover and shade - it's one of the best descents around. It's mostly smooth, and it flows so well you'll challenge yourself not to touch the brakes except in a few tighter corners. But be careful - while very few people ride up this trail, it's been known to happen and it's NOT a downhill only trail, despite the ridiculous flow. So keep your eyes open and be careful.

Towards the bottom you'll emerge from the trees into more grassy surroundings, and you've got one more short but sharp climb before descending the rest of the way to your car.

Contacts

Land Manager: Sawtooth National Forest - Sawtooth National Recreation Area

Shared By:

Michael Ahnemann with improvements by David Lingle and 2 others
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.4 from 76 votes

#1

in Sawtooth National Recreation Area

#162

Overall
  4.4 from 76 votes
5 Star
51%
4 Star
39%
3 Star
7%
2 Star
3%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#1

in Sawtooth National Recr…

#2

in Idaho

#162

Overall
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33,552 Since Aug 3, 2014
Intermediate Intermediate
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Photos

The big finale of Williams Creek.
Aug 2, 2014 near Sun Valley, ID
The burn areas are truly unique to ride through.
Jul 5, 2017 near Sun Valley, ID
Wow!
Aug 2, 2014 near Sun Valley, ID
Fisher Creek Loop From The Drone Cam!
Sep 23, 2021 near Sun Valley, ID
Glimpses of the big peaks.
Aug 2, 2014 near Sun Valley, ID
The meadow before the final small climb out Williams Creek
Aug 2, 2014 near Sun Valley, ID

1 Comment

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Check-Ins

Aug 13, 2024
Andrea Sinclair
Super nice campsite 4 miles on Fischer Road ride from there. Ride recommended loop
Jul 22, 2023
Johnny Spanya
Trail wide open beautiful ride even with 1/2 or so is thru burn. Only last .15 mile or so at end of Fisher creek drainage was bike walking for me.
Jul 4, 2023
Hiko Muhic
24.5mi — 2h 58m
Sep 21, 2022
Brenna Peloquin
Jun 27, 2022
Rob P
Excellent ride. Both downhill sections are great. Very good scenery, not brilliant. Absolutely do again.
Jun 7, 2022
Ray Toney
Top portion of Williams is snowed in several feet. Full loop is a bit rough
Jul 17, 2021
Matt Berther
Fun, as always. Trail was very sandy though. 17.1mi — 9h 30m
Jun 30, 2021
Lepesh Lepesh

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