Harriman Trail
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Sawtooth National Recreation Area
Established through bipartisan effort in 1972, the Sawtooth National Recreation Area covers 756,000 acres of incredible wild lands. National Recreation Areas are loosely defined as an area of terrain (land or water) that has been protected by an act of Congress due to the area’s natural resources, scenic attributes, and recreational opportunities. While there is no one set of laws guiding the management of these areas, the main intention was designed to get Americans out onto their public lands for recreation and enjoyment.
Sawtooth Visitor Center/ ~ Start/End
The Sawtooth National Recreation Area Visitor Center features a wide range of engaging informational services, including video presentations, audio tours, natural history exhibits, and informational kiosks. With parking, bathrooms, exhibits, and a gift shop, this is a great place to start/end your ride.
Boulder Peak View/ ~ Mile 5
Boulder Peak comes into view along the route. At nearly 11,000 feet in elevation, Boulder Peak is the most visible of the Boulder Mountains. The area drains to the Big Wood River via creeks like Boulder Creek. While it is only the 127th tallest peak in Idaho, it is steep and rugged and provides a stunning view into the deep wild areas of the Sawtooth National Recreation Area.
Easley Hot Springs / ~ Mile 7
Open seasonally from Memorial Day to Labor Day, Easley Hot Springs have soothed aching muscles for a very long time. Originally dug out by John V. Easley, there was a log house to provide miners a place to stay and clean up. With the decline in mining, the hot springs fell into disrepair. Then, in 1919, a Baptist Convention noticed the hot water in the river, and eventually petitioned the Forest Service for a permit in order to rebuild the facilities. Over the next century, Easley Hot Springs has seen many renovations as time and nature have taken its tolls. Nevertheless, it’s worth a stop to feel the warm water.
Galena / ~ mile 19
Founded as a mining town in 1879, Galena served the Wood River Valley with several hotels, stables, a meat market, and the Daisy Saloon. But when the veins of ore dried up in the 1890s, Galena was abandoned and left virtually a ghost town. In the early 1900s, with interest in outdoor recreation growing, the Galena Store served folks coming to visit the “Switzerland of America.” It became a Lodge in the 1960s, catering to skiers and other visitors. Continuing this tradition today, Galena Lodge offers guests a quiet place to enjoy the scenery, eat good food, rent gear, or stay overnight.
Pioneer Mountains View/ ~ Mile 29
The Pioneer Mountains are home to America’s first Backcountry ski hut. Built in 1937 by Averell Harriman, the Pioneer Cabin was modeled after the high-country touring huts used in the European Alps. Around the same time that the cabin was built, Harriman also began construction of Sun Valley Lodge and Resort, complete with groomed trails, and the world’s first modern chair lifts.
When We Like to Ride This
Late spring and early fall are ideal. In late May, when we rode this, the wildflowers were in bloom, the trail was free of snow, and the Big Wood River was running strong.
In the early fall, the early miles of the route would be spectacular with the change in the color of the leaves of the Cottonwood and Aspen trees.
Terrain & Riding
The Harriman Trail winds gently through the heart of the Sawtooth National Recreation Area, following the Big Wood River beneath towering peaks. The trail is dirt and gravel double track that rolls fast climbing gradually all the way to Galena Lodge. You will encounter wide-open stretches and pass through shady forest corridors. The views shift between alpine meadows and rugged ridgelines. It’s feels both expansive and intimate.
The Start
Water & flush toilets. No parking fee.
Food & Water
- ~ Mile 19: Galena Lodge (opens mid June)
Route Options
If a 38 mile ride is not what you’re interested in, there are many options to choose from.
For a shorter option, we like parking at the Baker Creek Rd on the north side of Highway 75 (coordinates: 43.784161, -114.556546). There is a pit toilet and ample parking. You’ll cross over highway 75 to get to the Harriman Trail, and then it will be a 20 mile out and back ride to Galena Lodge.
For a longer option, and more of a climb, there are 2 trails that take you up to Galena Pass Summit. The Titus Lake trail is a single-track on the south side of the road, and the Galena Summit Toll Rd is a single-track on the north side of the road. For more information about the trails around Galena Lodge, check out this map.
Videos
A Sawtooth Celebration
Podcasts
Wolverine - Fact or Fiction?
Jason Kirchner joins us from Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife in Newport, Oregon to dive into one of nature’s most enigmatic creatures: the wolverine. As the District Wildlife Biologist, he answers questions like: What are wolverines? What do they look like? How do they behave? Where [...]
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