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A difficult 20-mile loop that takes riders up past Little Casino Creek and down Big Casino Creek, all with great views!


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Map Key

20.3

Miles

32.7

KM

100%

Singletrack

9,511' 2,899 m

High

6,130' 1,868 m

Low

3,605' 1,099 m

Up

3,587' 1,093 m

Down

7%

Avg Grade (4°)

36%

Max Grade (20°)

Dogs Off-leash

E-Bikes Unknown

Overview

This is a challenging loop that takes riders high above Stanley and provides spectacular views of Redfish Lake and the Sawtooth Mountains from across Highway 75. The climb is brutal and will involve significant bike-pushing for even the best riders (there's also some fun climbing, you just won't remember it). The descent is somewhat technical and rocky and is the best part of the ride. The loop is well worth tackling, but be ready for a tough adventure with great views and good biking.

Need to Know

  • Bring a water filter and extra clothes.
  • A less common alternate to this loop takes riders up the highway and Rough Creek Road to continue up Rough Creek Trail and Sunny Gulch to reach the descent on Martin-Big Casino. This option can be pedaled or partially-shuttled, but it still involves a lot of climbing and some hike-a-bike.

Description

The ride starts and finishes at the Casino Creek Campground just north of Stanley, ID on Highway 75. Ride up the Little Casino trail, starting in a gully and eventually reaching a ridge overlooking the Sawtooths. As you traverse this ridge, you'll pass a few junctions, at all times continue straight on Little Casino.

The views are spectacular, and you'll get plenty of opportunities to check them out while pushing your bike up certain sections. The largest junction is with the Boundary Creek Trail. After this trail comes in from the right, you'll start up the final, heinous hike-a-bike to the top. Here you're rewarded with views to the east of the White Cloud mountains.

From the top it's a non-stop descent! You'll quickly come to a junction, where you'll turn left onto the Martin-Big Casino Trail. The descent has some more challenging technical sections, but it's mostly fast, rocky, and fun! Follow this trail for about 10 miles back to the Casino Creek Campground.

Contacts

Shared By:

Scott Andrews

Trail Ratings

  4.6 from 12 votes

#1025

Overall
  4.6 from 12 votes
5 Star
67%
4 Star
25%
3 Star
8%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#26

in Idaho

#1,025

Overall
11 Views Last Month
4,766 Since Jul 23, 2017
Very Difficult Very Difficult

0%
0%
0%
0%
17%
83%

Photos

The views on Sunny Gulch are to die for!
Jul 5, 2017 near Challis, ID
The top of Little Casino with the Sawtooths in the background
Sep 8, 2014 near Challis, ID
Starting the ridge crossing
Jul 15, 2020 near Challis, ID
The views are stellar
Jul 15, 2020 near Challis, ID
Starting the long climb up.
Jul 15, 2020 near Challis, ID
Trail here has a bit of a soft/sandy surface. Later it turns into one long hard packed rock garden as you gain elevation.
Aug 27, 2016 near Challis, ID
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Weather


Current Trail Conditions

Unknown
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