STANDALONE TRAIL MAP
TRAIL INFORMATION
Details
| Status: | Partial |
| Difficulty: | Advanced |
| Uses: | Mt Biking & Hiking & Equestrian |
| Length: | 3 miles |
| Start: | 7,516' |
| End: | 7,615' |
| Min: | 7,516' |
| Max: | 8,177' |
| Gain: | 846' |
| Loss: | -746' |
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Trail Info
REMARKS:
Galena Lodge is closed for the season and will reopen for the winter around November 22nd.
Trailhead Forecast
Current Conditions
Temperature at 10:00PM (Nov 20th): 25.9° FMin temperature in last 24-hours: 2.5° F
Max temperature in last 24-hours: 27.7° F
Snowfall
New Snow last 12 hours: 0". New Snow last 24 hours: 2".Description / Access Information
Big Wood Loop:The Big Wood Loop is the most recently built trail at Galena. It's a challenging and fun singletrack on the west side of Highway 75. It is used mostly by mountain bikers looking to tack on something a bit more challenging. Much of the trail is not too steeply graded, but it is demanding and some sections pitch-up enough to really get your attention. The trail is often ridden in a counter-clockwise direction by bicyclists, as doing so allows riders to travel downhill through the trail's big south-side berms (big banked turns).
Like all of the trails at Galena, the Big Wood Loop Trail is open to two-way traffic and shared use by hikers, horseback riders, runners, and bicyclists. Watch for and yield to others - on this and all trails.
Generally speaking, everyone yields to horseback riders, and cyclists yield to hikers, but use common sense and common courtesy out there. Sometimes it is more convenient, or safer for a hiker to step aside for a cyclist, or vise versa. The advice given here, with regards to trail etiquette and safety, are guidelines that we hope will help people stay safe and happy on the trails. Perhaps the best thing we can do to help each other enjoy the trails is to approach our outings with an attitude of sharing and compassion. Let's be patient with those who may need more time to learn the ways we play.
When cyclists meet, descending riders yield to climbing riders. Stop and put a foot down so that you can lean to the side; to let a climbing rider, or a hiker move on by. Don't keep traveling along off trail. Stop and give the other people a break, and help keep the singletrack single.
Everyone should keep an eye out for others who may be approaching from around a blind corner. Bikers should always ride in control and be ready to stop safely and in a fashion that will not spook a horse, or family, that may be around the next bend.
Most of the equestrian traffic at Galena is on the trails that are on the west side of the highway. Slow down and stop when you encounter horseback riders and pack-stock. Speak to the riders so that the horses know you are a human; so the horses know that you are not going to attack them. Ask the equestrians how to best facilitate a passing. When encountering livestock, it is often helpful for bicyclists and people on foot to stop and step off of the trail, to the downhill side, well away from the trail, if possible.
Horses are naturally skittish with terrible eye sight and great senses of smell and hearing. Announce your presence well in advance of coming upon horseback riders from behind. When meeting head-on, never hide to try and let equestrians pass unimpeded, as the horses will likely sense you, and could buck and bolt.
Directions:
From Ketchum, head to Galena Lodge. It's about 24 miles north of Ketchum on Highway 75. You can drive there, or ride up on a bike. The highway has a pretty good shoulder until you get to the Sawtooth National Recreation Area boundary/headquarters (about 8 miles north of town.) From there you can continue up the highway, or hop on the Harriman Trail for a gravel grind up to the lodge. The Harriman is a wide trail that has some areas of loose gravel that make climbing up it more difficult. But the Harriman is not steeply graded, and often you will find the trail plenty firm. However, do watch out for loose areas, as they can be challenging to navigate safely. The Harriman Trail open to non-motorized use and it is a cross country ski trail in the winter. It is considered easier terrain on its south end, with increasingly difficult terrain found as one climbs up it.
At Galena Lodge, find the bike shop and pick up a free paper BCRD trail map for the trails there. Many people have mentioned that they found navigating the Big Wood Loop Trail to be challenging, so take a map and stop at the well-signed intersections to help you stay on track, or grab a local and follow along.
Before you head out, head in to the restaurant and purchase a Don Bar. You will be glad you did when you are bonking. Fill your water reservoir, then head over to the west side of the highway, directly across from the lodge's sunny deck and bike shop. Drop down to follow the two-track road across the small footbridge crossing the Big Wood River (creek-like this far north) and quickly arrive at a road-like intersection near the proprietors' cabin and employee yurts.
Counter-clockwise Big Wood Loop Trail:
At the intersection of two-track roads mentioned above, near the cabins/yurts, turn right to head up Northwood Trail. Northwood parallels the highway. Stay right/straight on Northwood where several trails branch off to the left. After about 1.6 miles Northwood Trail intersects with a short spur trail that goes right to cross the creek-like Big Wood River. This little spur heads up to the Crosscut and Old Toll Road trails. Stay left/straight to get on the Big Wood Loop Trail.
Climb. Keep climbing. After you crest you will pass through some fun stuff where some options for getting some air exist - if all is clear ahead and below. Watch for others climbing up.
Descending, you will come to an intersection which is technically the end of the Big Wood Loop Trail. The trail is not a complete loop, but a variety of loops can be formed off of it, by utilizing the various options found at this intersection. To the left is the top/north side of Enid's Trail, which leads back to the Northwood Trail and connection to the lodge. To the right you can get on Enid's Cutoff, which also leads back to the Northwood Trail and the lodge. Also to the right is an option to get on the lower/south side of Enid's Trail, which drops to the south and down to the Titus Trail, which can be taken down to the lodge area.
Lots of options, kind of confusing. Stop at intersections and read the signs and consult your map. Things have changed a little since the printing of the map (2018), so you will have a little head scratching to do out there. Once you learn your way around, it's no problem.
Clockwise Big Wood Loop Trail:
Safely cross the highway near the lodge and drop down to cross the small footbridge that crosses the stream-like Big Wood River. Take the next right at the intersection of two-track roads. This puts you on Northwood Trail, paralleling the highway and heading upstream. You will quickly come to a trail that goes left. This is a short, steep equestrian shortcut over to the Titus Creek drainage Don't take it, instead, stay straight/right and on the main trail (Northwood). The next intersection on the left is Enid's Cutoff Trail. You can take it west/left to get to the Big Wood Loop Trail, or stay on Northwood a little longer to take the northern section of Enid's Trail over to the Big Wood Loop Trail. The later is simpler, and it is described here.
After passing the intersection for Enid's Cutoff you will arrive at Enid's Trail on the left/west. Take a left on Enid's Trail. The trail travels for about a half-mile before you reach a couple of intersections. Stay right, then immediately stay right again to gain the Big Wood Loop Trail. Follow the Big Wood Loop Trail to Northwood Trail. Follow Northwood downhill to get back to the lodge area.
