Check this Site before you ride, and please phone or e-mail me your findings to my new address, (lakook@moscow.com, 882-9366) to help keep others current. Also visit the Mountain Bike Guide to Hog Heaven home page.
Moscow Mountain is essentially all PRIVATE LAND.
In case it's not clear from the many signs and closed gates, MOTORIZED VEHICLES ARE NOT ALLOWED anywhere on Moscow Mountain except the main county roads. This closure includes snowmobiles. The open county roads include Moscow Mountain Road and Rock Creek Road, and Hatter Creek Road, but only when they are dry.
Last Updated July 19, 2004: There was recent logging activity near the base of Moscow Mountain Rd, just up the road from the flats where mountain bikers used to park, in April and May, but they seem to have finished.
Moscow Mt Rd and Warnick Road have been lightly gravelled. Latah county has also gravelled down the north side (via Rock Creek Rd). Bummer. Hopefully the gravel will pack down in the next year or so. At least they used small chunks. In the meantime, if you hate the rock, try riding Wonder Dog Trail/Cedars area at the east end of the mountain. Access Wonder Dog via Tamarack Rd (see the Hog Heaven guide for driving directions).
There are many new gates on Moscow Mountain that were not present when the "Mountain Bike Guide to Hog Heaven" was written. This is good news for mountain bikers, so let's support Bennett Lumber, UI and City of Troy foresters in their efforts. If you discover a gate where you weren't expecting one, you aren't necessarily lost, although you might be. New logging roads are also making route-finding a bit tricky for newcomers and navigationally-challenged bikers.
If you see someone trashing a gate, get the license plate number and a description of the vehicle. Call the Latah County Sherriff asap.
Last Updated July 19, 2004: (MAMBA)'s big 2004 project is construction of a new singletrack in the Four Corners area. Meanwhile, send a check today so we have the cash resources to rent the trail building machine, instead of doing all the grunt work using hand tools. Make checks payable to MAMBA, 710 E 7th St, Moscow, ID 83843. The trail gods thank you!
To find Cave Trail, start at Four Corners and follow the directions to Elephant Tusk (see below). Just before the new wooden ramp over the log, turn sharp right and look for the hidden trailhead. Let's keep it hidden so the motorcycles don't find it.
The trail takes you 3/4 mile to the meadow at the west end of Rock And A Hard Place, just downhill from the recently destroyed dirt road (the one that used to connect Four Corners to the meadow).
Our next trail building party on Cave Trail is Saturday, July 19. Meet at Rosauers in Moscow at 9 AM. There will be a raft trip donated by Salmon River Experience or a $35 bike tune-up awarded to one lucky participant!
Last Updated July 19, 2004:Elephant Tusk is a fun, short connector that heads west from Four Corners. There is a NEW TRAILHEAD near Four Corners for Elephant Tusk. It is also where you begin Cave Trail and Rock And A Hard Place.
I moved the trailhead because the old trailhead was too obvious. Motorized imbeciles were beginning to find it.
Here's how to find the new trailhead:
>From the main crossroads at Four Corners, head west on the Ridge Road (toward North Contour Trail, or Pond 9). The big flat area at Four Corners narrows to a one lane dirt road. About 30 yards after it narrows, look for a long pink ribbon on the right, approximately 5 yards off the road.
I intentially left this entrance hidden, so please don't break off branches or cut out the two filter logs. You will have to carry your bike about ten yards. After that I only lopped branches and raked duff, so the trail will take a while to get established. Once it does, it will be very subtle, so the bozos who party at Four Corners hopefully will not find it.
The new entrance trail then drops onto the same old Elephant Tusk in a nice swoopy berm. Please leave the brush and logs that block the old entrance.
Also, please do NOT use the destroyed road (the one connecting Four Corners to the meadow at the west end of Rock And A Hard Place), as the landowner doesn't want a trail established there. Instead, Elephant Tusk leads to Cave Trail, which takes you to the meadow.
Last Updated July 19, 2004: Please stay off everybody's favorite trail for a couple days after it rains.
One of the reasons MAMBA built Headwaters Trail was to bypass the two thirds mile of nasty gravel on Ridge Road above Pond 9. The gravel starts half a mile uphill from Pond 9 where the road splits. The road beyond the gravel, however is very smooth and rolling....an excellent place for beginners.
When riding Headwater in the clockwise direction (ascending the Boy Scout section first), watch out for the lip on the jump. Nose wheelies are not the healthiest way to land!
If you'd like to discover the location of the Headwaters Trail or the new Cave Trail, show up for one of MAMBA's trail parties and meet the folks who build the singletrack.
Last Updated June 29, 2004:
Clarification: In the Autumn of 2002, a new a logging/fire access road impacted Southside Trail just east of Headwaters Trail. You can find the continuation of Southside Trail by following these directions: If you've started your ride by climbing Headwaters Trail, when you come to the newly bull-dozed road, turn right and pedal about 40 yards. Where the road turns sharply left, follow the bike tire tracks down to the right. Pedal about 1/4 mile, then you have to climb onto another new piece of the same road. Bear right on the road and go straight to the end. The end of the road is the property line, so the rest of Southside Trail should be safe for now.
Although work is done for now in this area, in general, please remember when you encounter logging activity that loggers are usually subcontractors; they don't make the decisions, so even if you wish the land was yours so you could leave the trees, it isn't. Treat all forest users, ESPECIALLY LOGGERS, respectfully. If we act responsibly now, perhaps we'll be allowed to continue using their land in the future. Be grateful we are rent-free guests.
Be aware too, that in terms of our passion for singletrack, non-bikers have a hard time understanding why roads are so different from trails. The bottom line is that we've been using private property free for years, and it is, after all, PRIVATE property.
The old Southside trailhead (as described in the Hog Heaven Guide, where Southside meets Ridge Road) was rearranged in about 2000 by logging activity. There is no longer a trailhead sign or wire fence, but the singletrack is still there. The remainder of the loop is in fine shape, thanks to the MAMBA's efforts to divert water off the trail.
Last Updated June 29, 2003: Only attempt this singletrack if you're comfortable on steep, technical, narrow sidehills. Please leave the first 50 yards overgrown so the motorized users can't find it.
Ride up Moscow Mt Rd to Four Corners. The road between Four Corners and the meadow marking the start of Rock And A Hard Place has been intentially destroyed by the landowner, in order to keep motor vehicles out of the meadow. You can access this trail once again via Cave Trail (see above). Or you can get there via the old Sand Trail/Jump Trail connection, if you know your way.
If you can get yourself to the old homestead meadow north of Four Corners, take the second, lower road headed east. The entry is a little brushy on purpose, to discourage motor-heads from finding it. Follow this overgrown skid road about 2/3 mile to its end. The singletrack begins up a steep embankment to the right. I wouldn't recommend taking beginner riders on it, as it is a steep side hill in spots.
Just before the singletrack emerges onto a grassy logging road, please hike-a-bike around the giant, fallen tree. We hope it will discourage trespassing motos. Continue eastward on the grassy road about 1/2 mile through a heavily logged area. (Note: if you continue east even farther on this grassy logging road you come to Sand Trail/Road, then to the blue gate on Rock Creek Road).
To follow the most direct route back to Four Corners, however, turn right and pedal steeply for 1/2 mile or so on the dirt double track called Donkey Hoh Tea (If you still don't get the verbal pun, try "Don Quixote"). New logging covered this short section of the route with branches and debris, but a MAMBA volunteer rakes it yearly (that would be me), so it's generally rideable.
When you reach the top of Donkey Hoh Tea, bear sharp right on Rock Creek Rd, a county road that is lightly gravelled. This will take you back to Ridge Rd just east of Four Corners. The entire loop is probably between about 3 to 3.5 miles long.
Last Updated June 29, 2004:
Latah County has laid down gravel on Warnick Rd. At least it's the small rock and not the cantaoupe-sized boulders.
A local Boy Scout rebuilt the bridge across the creek below Warnick cabin last summer as part of his Eagle Scout project. He also dealt with cutting firewood for the cabin, which allowed MAMBA to focus on other projects.
Last Updated June 29, 2004: MAMBA has strategically gained permission to build Cave Trail in the summer of 2004 to replace Sand Trail. In the meantime, the "Sand Road" is growing back nicely. It's now a great place to take beginners. Hook back to Sand Trail by climbing the old jump trail. About 100 yards uphill from the red gate, look for a very well hidden trail on the right, approximately 40 yards before you reach the destroyed dirt road.
Last Updated June 29, 2004: Switchblade makes it possible to ride from Southside Trail up toward Paradise Point. The switchbacks are rideable in both the uphill and downhill directions. The old fall-line trail is called Liposuction, but I think the Switchblade descent is much more interested and fun. Consider printing out the following directions the next time you are headed for the Paradise Point or Southside Trail area.
From the top of Paradise Point, descend the deep V-section. After the 3 root dropoffs, the deep V eases a bit. Look for a water bar and slightly overgrown trail on left. Follow this trail 0.3 mile, then bear left onto a less-steep singletrack. After 0.9 mile, drop down a sandy ramp onto a more established singletrack. Bear hard right, which takes you back to Southside Trail. Continue your ride westward (toward Pond 9).
Last Updated June 29, 2004: Over Easy is a self-contained loop of about 5.5 miles on overgrown skid roads near Sand Trail. Like many trails after heavy snowfall, it needs lopper and chainsaw work. Please email me an update if you ride it. As of late June 29, Over Easy was rideable, but somewhat overgrown. It would help tremendously if someone would grab loppers and/or a chainsaw and clear it.
From Four Corners, follow Elephant Tusk, then the new Cave Trail. At the meadow, go north down the Jump Trail to what used to be Sand Trail. The area has been logged since the Hog Heaven Guide was written, and Sand Trail is now a slowly-recovering dirt road.
Turn right and ride about 0.3 mile to an open, white sandy area (PS This is now a log deck/wide spot in the road). Bear left in a sweeping, descending turn to begin Over Easy (instead of the usual sharp right to continue Sand Trail). (PS Note that the first half mile of Over Easy is now a logging road). Approximately 0.5 mile after leaving Sand Trail come to a Y-junction. Bear right (the new logging road continues to the left; you'll be returning on the left fork). Enjoy the next 1.6 miles of swooping, gradual downhill, most of which is remarkably smooth.
The most important junction is at approximately mile 2.1, about 50 yards after the overgrown skid road changes character to a newly-bulldozed road. Turn hard left onto a desending road. You'll know you've made the correct left turn if there's a wooden rail fence next to the road. The next 400 yards or so are often overgrown. Descend briefly, cross a small stream, climb steeply for about 100 yards, then bear left as you pop out on top. Climb less steeply, with some rolling sections, for the about 2 miles. (PS Somewhere in this section the singletrack is now a road....stay on the main road). The only turn to worry about comes when you bear right, headed back toward Sand Trail on the same singletrack (PS It's a road now) you rode at the beginning of Over Easy.
Last Updated June 29, 2004: The short road that drops from Ridge Road to the grove of ancient cedars (near the east end of Moscow Mt) has been intentionally erased by the land manager (The Nature Conservancy) in order to reduce damage from motor vehicles. The alternative route to the trees is a trail that is open to human-powered recreation (ie; hiking and mountain biking). The trailhead is about 1/4 mile east along Ridge Rd from the top of the old road that led to the cedars. Look for a private driveway on the right (south) that climbs steeply (there is a X-C skiers sign up high on a tree on the left). The trail begins at the wide parking area across Ridge Road from this driveway. Sometimes there is a sign at the trailhead, but it is often vandalized.
To find the new Cedars Trail from Tamarack, bike up Tamarack road (ignore the giant new logging road that cuts diagonally across Tamarack grade about 2 miles up). At the top, 2.7 miles from the old ski area, go straight on Ridge Rd (the fork to the left goes to East Moscow Mt and the Wonder Dog loop). Descend gently for about 1/2 mile, whereupon the road flattens. Go about 250 yards. The trailhead is on the right (north) at the apex of a wide parking space, directly across from the driveway mentioned above. You know you're at the correct place if the driveway (which leads to a private residence) climbs steeply.
Note that the trails north (downhill) from The Cedars are melted out as of June 6, 2004. I call the descent parallel to Long Creek "Whiplash".
Last Updated May 29, 2004: Wonder Dog is fun, fun, fun. Go check it out. If you're in a generous mood, take along a pair of loppers. Toss sticks off the tread and lopper some branches; Wonder Dog will be good to go for the season.
For a hot day, choose Wonder Dog, which has a small cold springs plunge at the end. This loop is not in the Hog Heaven Guide. Total Distance is only 6.5 miles, though there are some steep, short climbs. Also consider adding this loop to your ride any time you're in the Cedars area.
Park at the old Tamarack Ski Area (see page 14 of the Hog Heaven Guide for directions). If it's ridiculously hot, park 0.5 mile past the ski area, near the concrete water tank/cold springs plunge pool. Ride up Tamarack Road, which is mostly shady. One half mile past the water tank, Hatter Creek Road splits off to the right and descends.
After another 0.1 mile there used to be a steep singletrack on the left that climbed to the road leading to East Moscow Mt. Unfortunately, the trail has been bisected by a major logging road and is no longer worth riding. Instead, stay on Tamarack Rd. After a couple tenths of a mile of climbing, you'll see the new logging road cutting across the hill (down to the right and a hard cut back to the left). Do NOT turn onto this newer road. Instead, continue climbing Tamarack grade to the top, then bear left at the Y that will take you about a mile out to East Moscow Mt, the former site of a fire lookout. About 50 yards before the viewpoint, there was a road splitting off to the right. Go up this road and just as it levels out, look for a trail headed into the woods to the right. Follow this winding, desceding SWEET singletrack for about 0.5 mile, cross a new, MAMBA-built bridge over the muddy stream crossing, then drop onto a doubletrack.
To continue on Wonder Dog, turn left on the doubletrack and enjoy a 1.6 mile yahoo downhill with lots of jumps and only one very short climb of about 40 yards. The key corner of the entire ride, however, is coming up fast, so keep one eye on your odometer.
After about 1.6 miles of fun descent (or a total of 4.0 miles riding, if you parked at Tamarack), look for a grassy road that cuts back sharply to the left. It'll be difficult to spot because you'll be on a downhill and it's partially obscured by the grass. Turn left onto this road. If you goof and go straight you might end up on some private property owned by a guy who is know to threaten recreational users, so don't go there.
The trail becomes more clear after a 20 yards or so. Follow this overgrown skid trail for 1.4 miles. Just after a short granny gear/slightly washed-out climb, the trail levels out a bit and you'll find yourself descending gently. Here comes another key corner: Look for a singletrack that hops up into the woods on your left. If you miss this turn, the old skid trail will quickly become very overgrown and descends more steeply. After you've made the correct left, climb and contour for 0.3 mile until you emerge at the top of the old Tamarack Ski Area. Bear hard left and endure the slightly overgrown, somewhat rocky, hairball-steep 0.4 mile descent back to the concrete water tank. Remember to breathe if you take the plunge into the cold pool, as your family jewels will undoubtedly be holding THEIR breath.
Last Updated June 29, 2004: There are a significant number of new logging roads branching off from Ridge Road since the original Hog Heaven Guide was written in 1995. There are also many new gates.
The blue gate at Paradise Point that is referred to in the Hog Heaven guide was yanked out of the ground in the summer of '96 by vandals. A replacement gate has been erected farther east, between Paradise Point and West Twin. There are also relatively new gates in the Four Corners area, which restrict access for motorized traffic during the wet season in all directions except northward down Rock Creek Rd.
June 29, 2004: Two MAMBA volunteers have lopped Triple Crown (thanks Dan C and Jonathan L), so go push your pedals.
The West Crown is the only one of these 3 short loops that was not impacted by summer '97 logging activity. I suggest riding West Crown from the end closest to Paradise Point. Once on West Crown, either return to Ridge Rd or follow the short singletrack that connects West to East Crown. If you choose the trail, however, as you emerge from the singletrack you will find new logging roads. Keep your nose pointed uphill and you'll return to Ridge Rd eventually. New Turkey Filters (huge dirt piles to keep motorized vehicles out) block the entrances to Triple Crown, but mountain bikers are still allowed to ride there.
Last Updated mid-Summer, 2002: In 1998 there was significant logging activity on two sections of the Ride 5 doubletrack that connects the old Tamarack Ski Area to Spring Valley Reservoir. The new logging begins appoximately 4.1 miles east of the Tamarack parking area. New logging also took place around mile 6, so the route is passable, but difficult to follow, even if you know where it is supposed to go. Alternative ride suggestion: see above for a ride called Wonder Dog.
The following trails are confirmed to be melted out as of May 16, 2004: Sampson Trail, Sampson Connector, Rd 377 to Bald Mountain, East Fork Meadow Creek (Tr 228), Three Tree Butte (Tr 26).
VERY IMPORTANT UPDATE!
Last Updated Late Summer, 2002: Near the North-South Divide is a singletrack called East Dennis Trail. It is typically ridden as a loop with Sampson Trail. East Dennis Trail is CLOSED until further notice due to logging. Instead, I'd suggest the following: turn right on Rd 377 (Palouse Divide Rd), cross the highway, continue on Rd 377 to the top of Three Tree Butte Trail 26. Ride Tr 26 back to campground, a wonderful descent.
If there's any good news, it's that East Dennis Trail will be re-routed and rebuilt eventually, but don't count on it until you see it here, or call the USFS in Potlatch to confirm). The new route will start at the same trailhead, then angle to downhiller's left of the current route. It will join Meadow Creek road at Blakes Fork.
Please spread the word that East Dennis Trail is closed.
Last Updated Late Summer, 2002: Remember to watch for horses and hikers on this route, especially on blind cornes. Avoid Tr 224 along East Fork Meadow Creek for a day or two after heavy rains.
Several sections of Tr 224 that cross private property between Palouse Divide Rd 377 and East Fork Meadow Cr hve been impacted by logging. Approximately 4.5 miles from the old North-South Ski Bowl the trail will appear to end at a newly-cut logging road. Good luck searching in the hunt-and-peck navigational mode. I suggest taking along a partner who has been there before, as it might be years before the Forest Service reestablishes signs to guide you through.
Here's the description Chris Haagen of Moscow emailed me, detailing the route through the new logging: I don't know if you have ridden Piah Cr. recently, but trail #224 has definately been impacted by logging. After leaving Palouse Divide Rd, there is a nice d/h for about 3/4 mi, which abruptly ends in a skid road. Follow the skid road around several turns until you come to a distinctivve Y in the trail; a high road and a low road. Take the low road. After about 1/4 mi, it rejoins the trail. However, do not celebrate yet! Only 300 yards of trail later you meet the skid track again! Follow the track up to a local summit where it turns sharply to the left and down. The trail is on the right. But wait! The trail again ends in a skid road! Follow the road down to its intersection with a more heavily traveled road. The trail re-enters the forest here and continues uninterrupted back to GWP CG. Despite having never ridden the trail before, a half-hour of route-finding and a bumpy ride later, we got into the really nice single track. I hope this is helpful. Chris Haagen
Ride idea: substitute the Bald Mt Loop for the Piah Cr Loop, especially if you've never ridden Piah Cr before. Or ride up Sampson Trail and down Three Tree Butte.
Last Updated May 16, 2004 One of my favorite rides, if the weather has dried out the Sampson Connector, is to park at Giant White Pine and ride up Sampson Trail, then down Three Tree Butte. Distance is about 13 miles.
Last Updated mid-May, 2003: The Moose Creek Reservoir end of Sand Mt Tr 330 has been restored (see Ride 11, Option 4). Although it can be dusty after a long dry spell, it is nice enough piece of trail. In recent years, overuse by four-wheelers has turned this entire trail into a double track, but it's still a decent ride.
Watch carefully for the trail head sign; as of early September, 1999 it had fallen over and still not gotten up. I suggest riding the trail from near Moose Creek Reservoir to Sypah Creek (near Laird Park) and back, then swimming in the ponds noted in the guide book.
If you decide to attempt the Sand Mt Trail, write down or print out the following instructions.
One change on Sand Mt Trail since the guide was published involves the steep, overgrown climb through an old clearcut between miles 13.7 and 14.3. At the top of the grunt there was a switchback to the left that led to the Mica Mt junction. The Mica Mt junction has been bypassed by a new section of trail. Instead of switching back to the left, the new trail bears right and traverses/climbs the steep east face of the mountain. These new corners remain unmarked/unsigned as of late Fall, 1998.
Tr 330 has also been obliterated by logging as it crosses Plum Creek Timber land between approximately mile 16.2 and 17.1. The The US Forest Service assured me that signs would be put in place some time in the summer of 1997 to help navigate through the new cuts, but as of the June 2001, the signs were still not posted. Heave a heavy sigh for the slashed recreation budgets of the USFS.
Here's the critical scoop: At mile 16.2, the trail comes to an abrupt end at a logging road. This road descends gradually for about 0.4 mi to a Y-junction of dirt roads. Angle slightly left and descend more steeply for about 0.5 mi to the junction at a saddle of two roads on the left and one on the right. Looking slightly to the right of the line you've been following, notice a narrow double track, more-or-less straight ahead through the slash, that will lead to the continuation of the singletrack on national forest land. The trail then skirts the right side of a high point of the ridge. Eventually it drops past a junction with DeSalto Cr Tr 361. Good luck.
Here's a word to the wise regarding big loops like Sand Mt. Check the guide frequently when approaching a junction. For example, as mapped in the guide, the route begins with 10.2 miles of gravel, then 0.7 mile off-road. At this point you reach a CRITICAL right turn, off Tr 330A onto Tr 330. The problem is that the last bit of the 0.7 mile leading to this CRITICAL junction is lovely, swooping downhill, so people go blazing straight past their turn, thus ending up at Moose Cr Reservoir, or worse yet, Bovil. Nothing against Bovil, but it's about as lovely as its name, and one group reported to me that they ended up there after missing the CRITICAL turn....they finally got back to their car by hitchhiking from Deary.
Last Updated Summer, 2001:
Typo Alert!
On page 54, in the ride description for Excavation Gulch, the Beason Meadow Tr is number 228, not 224. This error is repeated in the text on page 56. The trail numbers on the map are correct. The error is repeated in the text for the Strychnine Ridge ride on pages 60 and 61. Again, the map is correct. Apologies for any inconveniences such as hypo- or hyperthermia this may have caused. Thanks to the astute reader from Couer dAlene who caught the goof.
Many four-wheelers use Strychnine Ridge Tr 319, so be prepared for an artificially wide and somewhat eroded trail for the the first few miles below Bald Mt Saddle. The bootleg section of the trail (along Strchnine Ridge after Tr 319 ends) varies from excellent condition to semi-overgrown to deeply rutted. Stick to Tr 319 unless you are a experienced and adventurous (and slightly foolish) rider.
Last Updated July 19, 2004: This is one of our region's premier bike routes.
The new trailhead sign at the junction of Skyline Drive and Rd 4716-A reads "Kornth Trail", which is an historical name that predates the Grass Trail moniker. For now I will continure to refer to the route by the more widely-known "Grass Trail" designation.
There is a new section of trail, built in the summer of 1998, that bypasses the summit of Mission Mt. The bypass was constructed to keep motorcycles out of the picnic area on top of Mission Mt, but the route change affects mountain bikers as well. Appoximately 10.9 miles into the loop, the guide notes that you climb steeeply 0.7 mile to the summit of Mission Mt. This is no longer true. Instead, the trail climbs about 0.2 mile, then bears left (north) on the new, rougher trail and continues to climb less steeply. The total length of the bypass is 0.5 mile. The old route was approximately 0.8 mile, so the entire loop will be about 15.0 miles instead of 15.3.
New logging has impacted the west end of Grass Trail, though it is still rideable. Previously, you had to ride only about one mile of dusty road to get from Klearkut Korner to the nice Grass Trail singletrack, when pedaling the loop in a counter-clockwise direction. Now you have to ride about 3 miles. There is still about seven miles of Grass Trail remaining.
Minor Typo Alert: Option 2 should read, "Ride out-and-back to Mission Mt FROM Fireplace Picnic Area". Also, there is a beautiful new covered picnic structure at the Fireplace Picnic Area. Let's encourage the Idaho State Parks folks to provide low-key development like the shelter, but NOT to widen Skyline Drive, which would increase RV traffic and reduce the aesthetic qualities that Mr McCroskey envisioned for his park.
Suggestion: despite the fact that I mapped the loop so that you begin by riding the Grass Trail, I've come to realize it's more fun to ride the opposite direction. The opposite direction means you climb for a couple miles on gravel at the start of your ride, but much of the remaining loop feels like rolling or downhill terrain.
Last Updated Summer, 2001: Since 1995, when I wrote the Hog Heaven Guide, the bell tower has collapsed and the bell is in the duff. The area where the bell used to be has been heavily impacted by logging roads. For example, there are at least two new logging roads that contour across the hill just above and below the bell and the gravestone. The singletrack continues diagonally uphill, but it may be difficult to follow. I no longer ride this loop due to the heavy logging, but it's possible to pedal it all if you have a good sense of direction.
Last Updated Summer, 2000: Loren's Loop, at the NW corner of McCroskey State Park, was logged in the summer of 1998. If you have a nose for adventure and very steep descents, try it. Otherwise I suggest substituting Grass Trail/Mission Mt Loop.
Last Updated late May 16, 2004: Asotin Creek trail, about 30 minutes southwest of Lewiston, is a low elevation singletrack with year-round riding possibilities, though the area is not covered in the Hog Heaven guide. Call Follett's Mt Sports in Lewiston for updates and directions.
Here's the latest from MAMBA's very own Phil Cook: In case any of this is useful to MAMBA....
Here's my story and I'm stickin' to it.
Asotin Creek Trail Update
Rode it last Saturday, April 10, 2004. Short Story: Trail along the creek needs a good haircut (trimming back growth of bushes on the sides); the further you get upcreek the more it needs it. A few trees were down over the trail, but not bad. The L/C folks have built some ìwooden technical trail featuresî (IMBA term) in the far western end of the valley (where the trail heads up Pinkham Creek). I parked just past the cattleguard uphill from the Fish & Game parking lot (where Dale got ticketed). Didnít have a problem. (Parked there once before too with no problem).
Long story: Rode up the road along Lick Creek all the way to Elk Point, where topo and FS maps show trail starting. 11-1/2 miles uphill; the last 6 are a grind. Thinning (logging) has heavily impacted the west (upper) end of the trail; lots of logging road/skid trails parallel where the trail should be. Key: keep heading east staying south of Lick Creek.
Alternatively, just before topping out on the road, trail/road #130 angles off to the left. Follow it across Lick Creek, where the trail then loops back east. (100 yards of snow in here will soon be gone.) Lots of loose rock and dirt on western trail sections.
The trail leading down off the ridge and to Asotin Creek is easy to miss. About 2 to 2-1/2 miles from the trailhead, at the bottom of a saddle, the downhill trail cuts off to the right. (A dirt road is visible off to the left at this point [#160?]). (For the parts of trail up on the ridge, I suggest previewing on a topo map and marking some waypoints in a GPS [what I did]. Or take somebody who knows where theyíre going!)
Trail down to Asotin Creek is barely more than a game trail with lots of loose dirt (1/2 track?; but it had tire marks!). After following the fall line, the trail curves into the valley of Pinkham Creek. (This is different than is shown on topo maps where it continues to follow the fall line.) Trail follows an old barbed-wire fence down this valley. Not much of a treadway at times; keep the nose pointed downhill. A couple of wooden technical trail features are built in this section. Turn left (east) at the valley bottom and follow trail paralleling Asotin Creek downstream. Treadway has lots of imbedded rocks.
Total round trip: 27 miles. (I was beat up pretty good; itís a rough treadway!)
WARNING: The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife has been known to enforce the parking permit requirement at Asotin Creek trailhead. MAMBA's own Dale Newberry received a $76 ticket for parking there once a few years ago. The problem is that it's difficult to find the parking sticker, which only costs $10 per year, for sale anywhere around here. The insider scoop is that Schurman's True value Hardware store in Clarkston sells them. So does the gas station in Asotin. I've heard that the Chevron station in Pullman (where the highway splits as you come into town from Moscow) sells them too. You might also try online at the Washington Dept of Fish and Wildlife web site or other sporting goods outlets in Lewiston or Clarkston. Alternatively, try parking legally along the main road somewhere down river from the trail head. Good luck. Please let Jim know (lakook@moscow.com) if you find other sales outlets for the stickers. On a more positive note, Dale reports that the trail is in excellent shape, (though the ticket put a damper on his endorphin buzz).