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  Bikepacking Roots

WWR Segment 3

Segment 3 Description
Segment 3 meanders through the diverse landscapes of central Idaho – the depths of the Salmon River Canyon, the Salmon River Mountains, the magnificent Sawtooth Valley, and along the Wood River Valley between the Boulder and Smoky Mountains. At the northern end of the segment, 35 miles of pavement takes riders out of Darby and onto well maintained dirt roads that climb high into the Salmon River Range before a precipitous 5,000’ plunge on a rougher 4x4 track into the Salmon River Canyon. At just 3,000’ elevation, the depths of this canyon can be blazing hot in summer. The route follows the gorgeous Salmon River Road for a few miles before gradually but steadily climbing south to Morgan Creek Summit on well-maintained gravel roads. Eventually, the coniferous forests give way to sage-covered hills en route to the friendly community of Challis. West of Challis, the old Custer Motorway, now a gravel road, climbs over Mill Creek Summit and then drops to the North Fork of the Salmon River. Here, riders can tour abandoned mining towns and an intact gold mining dredge. Continuing south, the gravel road again hits the Salmon River, and the route turns west on a busier paved road to reach the stunning Sawtooth Valley and the tiny tourist destination of Stanley. Riders will follow the ever-shrinking Salmon River toward its headwaters before climbing an old stagecoach road over Galena Pass and hop on the pleasant 2-track of the Herriman Trail along the Wood River. At the southern end of the segment, the ski resort town of Ketchum and the smaller and homier community of Hailey offer all services and bike shops.

Segment length: 289 miles
Total climbing: 23,000 feet
Recommended number of days: 5-7
 
% Paved (approx.): 20%
% Dirt road (approx.): 60%
% 4x4 road/2-track (approx.): 20%
% Singletrack (approx.): 0%
% Rideable (approx.): 95+%
 
Average physical difficulty* (1-10): 6
Average technical difficulty** (1-10): 4
Bikepacking challenges: Limited water, limited resupply options, remote, summer heat
Longest stretch between resupply (miles/days): 154 miles / 3-4 days
Longest stretch between water sources (miles/days): 25 miles (north of the Salmon River; massive climb for NoBo riders)

Alternate route options:
None
Western Wildlands Route GPS data, guidebook, and mobile app:
Visit the download page!

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Bikepacking Roots is a 7,000-member-strong 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to supporting and advancing bikepacking, growing a diverse bikepacking community, advocating for the conservation of the landscapes and public lands through which we ride, and creating professional routes. We value human-powered experiences and an inclusive, engaged, and informed membership that makes a positive impact as we adventure by bike.
Our Business Partners support the bikepacking community, conservation, and public lands:
Our organizational partners that support bikepacking, advocacy, conservation, and outdoor recreation:



Bikepacking Roots is a 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable organization (EIN 81-2622394)

All content and route data copyright 2016-2021 Bikepacking Roots.
Bikepacking Roots and our logo are registered trademarks.

  • News
  • Advocacy
    • Advocacy Toolbox for Bikepackers
    • Love Where You Ride: Positive Impact & Leave No Trace Bikepacking
    • Advocacy Issue Submission
    • Where we stand
    • Who are bikepackers?
  • Routes
    • Our Routes
    • BPR Route Rating Scale
    • Western Wildlands Route >
      • WWR Updates
      • WWR Downloads and Guides
      • WWR Segment 1
      • WWR Segment 2
      • WWR Segment 3
      • WWR Segment 4
      • WWR Segment 5
      • WWR Segment 6
      • WWR Segment 7
      • WWR Segment 8
      • WWR Segment 9
    • The Intermountain Connectors >
      • Intermountain Connector Updates
    • Northwoods Route >
      • Northwoods Route Downloads and Guides
      • Northwoods Route Updates
    • Bears Ears Loops >
      • Bears Ears Loops Downloads and Guides
      • Bears Ears Loops Updates
    • Plateau Passage >
      • Plateau Passage Segments
    • Colorado 14ers Loop
    • Craters and Cinder Cones
    • Orogenesis
    • Pony Express Route
  • Community
    • BIPOC Bike Adventure Program
    • Bikepacking Community Survey
  • About
    • Mission
    • Who we are
    • Partners
    • Contact
  • Store
  • Join
  • Donate