Granite - Smith Traverse

Dogs Off-leash

E-Bikes Allowed

Starting and finishing on Garden Valley's only two paved roads, this route follows dirt Forest Service roads up a rushing stream and then along a high traverse with great views back toward Garden Valley. The finish is a long, steep descent back to the bottom of the Middlefork Valley.

No restrooms at either end of the ride. ATV and Side-by-Side traffic can be significant on weekends and during hunting season.

Park at the Garden Valley Trail (gravel path) trailhead at the foot of Granite Basin road (FS 668). Warm up by heading up Granite Basin and over the first small summit before dropping into the Anderson Creek drainage. After crossing the bridge, stay on 668, ignoring any forks to the right.

Take the first left fork (668A) which ascends another smaller stream for about a mile before a hard left switchback starts the steepest portion of the climb. This section is a real leg-burner, but only lasts about a mile.

Shortly after leveling-off, the road enters a traverse of wide-open slopes, with amazing views back toward the valley. Eventually, the traverse enters the trees again, and continues until dropping into the Smith Creek drainage for a short distance.

A final climb away from Smith Creek leads to the massive descent back to the Middlefork Valley. This is not technical, but can be loose, sandy, and rutted, so watch your speed!

Once back to civilization, cross the bottom of the valley to Middlefork Rd., where you either left a car, or will need to pound pavement (about seven extra miles) back to the start.

The ride could be done in reverse for an even more challenging climb...