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Castle Rock Trail #140
Details (3/30/2024)
Status: Partial
Difficulty: Advanced
Uses: Mt Biking & Hiking & Equestrian
Length: 7.8 miles
Start: 6,651'
End: 8,574'
Min: 6,651'
Max: 8,673'
Gain: 2,291'
Loss: -381'
Elevation Profile
// track pieces: 396, // elevation pieces: 396
Trailhead Forecast (3/30/2024)
Description / Access Information
Castle Rock Trail #140: 
Scrappy trail with a rock-shelf near the bottom that is very hard to get up, especially for equestrians and motorcyclists. This step is encountered as an uphill move as one descends on the trail. It is very close to the bottom of the trail and near its intersection with Warm Springs Road.

This trail has a seasonal designation for motorcycle and e-bike use and is open to those uses from May 1 through August 29 of each year.

Part of rugged loop with Placer Creek Tr., or use as part of a shuttle bike-ride; utilizing the west end of Osberg Ridgeline Trail. Or ride up Placer to Castle, up Castle to Osberg, take a right on Osberg to Barr. Descend on Barr to form a loop back to Placer.

Not easy or front-country travel. Route finding skills required as the trail fades away here and there. Staying on track doesn't take too much concentration, for most all of the trail, but you will have to take a break here and there to scratch your head and re-find the path, especially up higher, where some old sections of trail have been replaced with newer reroutes. Some of the old sections of trail remain, so finding the best path can be challenging. Allow yourself some extra time for route-finding when planning for travel on this trail.

Some segment of the trail are running water where the trail passes near to seeps or through adjoining side-drainages. These can be very muddy, especially in the springtime following winters with abundant snow-pack, and when our summers bring abundant rains.

Along areas of the trail the backslope is steep and sometimes obscured from view by tall grasses or other plants. For those on mountain bikes or ebikes, pedal strikes can be a problem. Be extra cautious and look out for other obstacles, like embedded rocks, that may not be visible to you as you approach them. The trail is narrow in places and having a pedal down at the wrong time can result in a crash.

*For more detailed descriptions, topo maps, and information on the history, geology, and wildflowers of the Wood River Valley pick up a copy of Exploring Sun Valley online or find it at one of several local shops.