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 Summary |
| ABOUT
THE RIDE: Galena Loop is a great sampler
of the many trails at Galena, including hiking
trails, cross country ski trails, and old mining
and logging roads. Scenery at Galena includes old
cabins, large meadows, and views of the Boulder
and Smoky Mountains. Several alternates on this
route avoid the more difficult single-track
sections. Check the bulletin board at the back of
the parking lot for maps and information about
other rides and hikes in the area. GETTING THERE: Drive north on Highway 75 from Ketchum for 22 miles to Galena Lodge on the right hand side of the road. THE RIDE: Start at the Galena Lodge trailhead located at the back of the parking lot. All of the biking trails at Galena are marked with colored four inch diamonds. Galena Loop is marked with green. Follow the green markers south and over a small hill into Senate Meadows. Continue up Senate Creek for .6 miles, then take the left fork of the road. At 1.3 miles, just after the first switchback, Galena trail heads right and uphill. Rip and Tear, another possible ride, continues straight and is marked with red diamonds. At 1.7 miles, just after the second switchback, turn right and up. A steep climb leads to a single track descent. This is the most scenic section, passing strands of Douglas fir, avalanche zones, old cabins and mining sites. Immediately after the cabins you will intersect the Gladiator Pass trail. Turn downhill here (left) and follow the trail to the sign-in box at the Gladiator Pass trailhead. Galena Trail continues north on a dirt road around a switchback. Take a right here, and you will pass Coffee Pot Mine. It's a steep climb, but a good side trip. Or you can turn left (downhill) and return to Galena Lodge. After the switchback, the road continues for 2 miles, dead-ending into a single track descent into Horse Creek. In less than .5 miles, this trail merges with Psycho (yellow diamonds) for most of the return trip to Galena Lodge. Sound complicated? Just follow the green diamonds and you'll be on track. ALTERNATE ROUTE: Much of the advanced riding section can be avoided by taking a short cut at 1.7 miles. Immediately after the second switchback, continue straight (instead of right ), following the dirt road down into Gladiator Creek. At 2.6 miles, just after crossing Gladiator Creek, take a hard right past sign reading "Gladiator Tr. West Fork Salmon River" and ride up to the sign-in box for the Gladiator Pass trail. Here the alternate route rejoins the Main Galena trail. |
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© 1997 JHL
& Associates, all rights reserved ~ Produced
by JHL & Associates |