Pretty Gulch Trail#6220

Dogs Off-leash

E-Bikes Unknown

This is a great early season ride, hike-a bike-for the adventurous. Start by going to North Fork, Idaho, head down the Salmon River Road until you come to Panther Crk-Morgan Crk Road USFS #60055. Head up #60055 road approximately four miles until you come to Clear Creek TH campground. Just past the entrance to the campground on your left, is USFS Road #60060 Hot Springs Road. Take this road up the hill a few miles into the tree line until you cross a culvert with running water in the canyon. Here there are places to park and the adventure begins.

On the downhill side of the culvert, look for the trail heading downstream, no trail marker. Here the #6301 Hot Spring Trail begins. Follow it about 0.3 miles downstream to the hot springs. Enjoy this section of fantastic trail because it will be your last for the next couple of miles.

Once down at the hot springs, the first pool you come to on your right is where you need to look for the trail heading up. This is Pretty Gulch Trail #6220. If you have gone to the big hot springs boiling out of the rock and hill side you have gone too far. There is no trail marker for #6220.

Once you have found #6220, you'll be going up for the next couple of miles, through many switchbacks and spectacular views. Enjoy the climb and the views and don't get lost in the haze of the climb. Enjoy because the gods will reward you handsomely for your pain.

Once at the top of Hot Springs Lookout, (approx. 2.5 miles) lost in 2000 to a wildfire, it is a barn-burner of a downhill back to Panther/Morgan Creek Road. For your agony of the climb to Hot Springs Lookout, the gods have rewarded you with a four-mile downhill that is no less adventurous as the climb. Make sure you have good brakes and make sure to stop once in a while and take in the scenery. You are riding a ridge trail above the River of No Return with spectacular views.

As you point your bike downhill, you'll soon forget the earlier events of what brought you here. Enjoy, because it is a spectacular ride.