Titus Lake Trail:
The trail to Titus Lake is popular route that is accessible from a pullout near Galena Summit. The trail to the lake can be approached from Galena Lodge too, but its much more demanding coming at the lake that way. This trail is not recommended for bicyclists, but it is open to that use, and some people like its very challenging and technical character.
Approached the other way, from Galena Lodge, the trail to Tutus Lake starts out as a two-track road that is not very steep. After a while the trail turns into a singletrack. The grade stays pretty manageable, but. steep for around 2.5 miles. Between 2.5 and 3.5 miles is the steepest climbing, with the trail utilizing switchbacks to gain elevation. Soon after the trail breaks over and you are at the lake - about 4 miles from the lodge. The trail continues on past the lake to meet Highway 75 and the Galena Summit/Titus Trail parking area.
Some people like to ride up the highway on their mountain bikes to access the high end of the trail, but it's not a very popular option. Some come up the highway, and some use the Old Toll Road Trail to access the top, high trail segment to the lake. Its around 6 miles up the highway from Galena Lodge. After riding to the lake, some people do continue on along the Titus Lake Trail; to ride down to the lodge on it. This is not a very popular option, and the trail is not really recommended for bicycles as it includes many technical challenges. To each his own.
Depending on the time of the year, the trail can be dusty and loose with soft sections and rocky sections. The trails on the west side of Highway 75 see more equestrian traffic than other trails in the area. Watch for others and watch for those who may be approaching from around blind corners. Take it easy and share the trails.
Directions:
From Ketchum, head north on Highway 75 to Galena Lodge to reach the low end of the Titus Lake Trail. The distance is around 24 miles from Ketchum to Galena Lodge. To reach the upper parking area for the Titus Lake Trail, continue past the lodge for another 6 miles or so to reach the high parking area for the Titus Lake Trail. As you are climbing up the highway you will find this parking area just shy of the summit and on the right side. The start of the high end of the trail is on the opposite the parking area - on the other side of the highway.
At Galena Lodge, for the low end of the trail, people with horse trailers usually park in the highway pullout, or in over the bridge, where there is limited room for horse trailer parking. The highway pullout and road over the bridge are on the left side of the highway (as you are coming up from Ketchum). Others can park there too, or in the lodge's main parking lot, which is on the other side of the highway, adjacent to the lodge.
The low end of the Titus Lake Trail is accessed on the side of the highway that is opposite the lodge - on the highway pullout side. Cross the Wood River and head uphill on a two-track road that passes by the cabins and yurts used as housing by the people working at the lodge. You want to be heading up the Titus drainage, on Titus Creek Road, moving toward the Titus Trail. After a short distance the two-track splits, stay right to begin up the Titus Lake Trail. It is still a two-track road here, but after a while it turns into singletrack.
*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.