Travel to Jordan Valley. The Sunny Ridge RV Park is a good place to stage the tour from. There are showers, restrooms, and a laundry. The town has very few services. Supplies are available at Mrs Z’s and Rockhouse Coffee has a great espresso milkshake. We experienced no mosquitoes in September, but they are said to be plentiful in the summer. Contact them for vehicle storage on-site.

The Basque pelota ball court in Jordan Valley is worth a quick stop.

1. The first 5 miles are paved.
2. At mile 5 there is a 2 mile 6% climb.
3. At mile 26 there is a 1 mile 8% climb.
4. At mile 27 there is a 7 mile 8% descent.
5. At mile 34 there is a 1 mile 6% climb.
6. At mile 38 pavement picks up.

Notes

• Cell service in Jordan Valley is for T-Mobile. In the Owyhee Mountains, there is no cell service until on the Snake River Plain side. West of the Owyhee Mountains, when one can see Steens Mountain, there appears to be some service for Verizon (minimal). We recommend using a cell service coverage map like that found in Gaia for up to date coverage.
• In Silver City, one can purchase water at the Pat’s What-Not Shop, across the street from the Idaho Hotel. It is the only gift shop in town, has some cold drinks, snacks, souvenirs, and lots of good information. The hotel also has bottled water. It is not recommended to drink treated river water or tap water due to the extensive mining history in the area.
• There are several VRBOs (Vacation Rentals by Owner) in Grand View and along the Snake River.
• With no formal camping options in Grandview, PeteC reports that contacting the City of Grandview helped his group camp at the small city park located at the NE end of Main Street on the Snake River. The City Clerk can turn off the sprinklers and help ensure the restrooms, water spigots, and electrical outlet boxes are available.
• Breakfast at the Snake River Diner.
• Salinas Mexican Restaurant is on the ‘main drag’ in Grand View.
• Grand View Grocer is a couple doors down from Salinas and a good resupply option.

1. The first 19 miles are paved.
2. At mile 12, observe the Shoofly Oolite and optionally hike the trail. The hike is not strenuous and a mile round trip. Oolite (egg stone) is limestone composed of tiny ooids, which form when calcium carbonate precipitates in concentric layers around individual grains of sand. The limestone hills off to the west are deposits from ancient Lake Idaho which covered from present-day Hagerman, Idaho to Vale, Oregon.
3. The First 29 miles are 4000 ft uphill with an average 3% grade. The grade gradually increases, ending in 3 miles of 6%, culminating in nearly 9%.
4. The remainder of this segment gradually drops from 6000 ft to 5000 ft at Deep Creek.

Notes

• No services beyond Grand View, including no cell service.
• Camp at Deep Creek. Dispersed camping is on the west and south side of the bridge. Treat the water.

1. At mile 25, the North Fork crossing of the Owyhee River has reliable water but must be treated.
2. The descent into Three Forks is a 12% grade over more than a mile on a rocky surface. Although some segments can be ridden, it is recommended to remind yourself that you are descending on a fully loaded bike, so walking makes sense.

Notes

• Camp at Three Forks. Dispersed camping. Treat the river water.
• We did not experience mosquitoes in late September, but they are there in the summer.
• Some goatheads observed.
• The riverbank leading upstream for the campground and Three Forks Warm Springs are on unmarked private land. The owners have allowed camping and hikers to visit the warm springs – there is no guarantee this will always be the case – please respect the landowner’s rights.
• No services.

This is an optional spur to enjoy the warm springs. Just before the springs, one must ford the Owyhee. Footwear for the crossing is handy. Note that the flow of the river varies substantially with the seasons. Walking this section offers a nice break from cycling. The springs are on private land but hikers have been permitted and this can change – please respect landowner’s rights.

1. At mile 33, there is a 1-mile segment over the ION Highway. This highway has a 70 mph speed limit. Luckily, there is sufficient good-quality tarmac to cycle on to the right of the rumble strip.
2. The last 4 miles into town are paved.

Notes

• The overlook is spectacular.
• One passes Danner and Innskip Station, resting place of Jean Baptiste Charbonnea.
• We saw many rattlesnakes on this segment.
• No services until Jordan Valley.