Little Ski Hill Loop - May 29, 2007

With our trusty Mountain Biking McCall guide in hand, we had planned on doing the 18 mile loop from Little Ski Hill. However, on the way to Little Ski Hill we hear a loud "POP" noise...stop the car, get out and see that one of the tires on Gordy's bike was too close to the exhaust pipe and exploded. Back to the store for another tire and with less time we adjust our plans for the shorter 8 mile loop.

With the incredible building boom of the last few years and our copy of the book being 4 years old, I was a bit worried that things had changed. But all in all it was pretty accurate. The short loop directions say to "take the gravel road". This is Fish Lake RD at the west end of the ski hill's parking lot. We cruised down the hill, past the t-bar base and across a paved road not mentioned in the guide. Onto a dirt road that climbed a small hill as described. At 1.2 miles we were to take the second left, and after some debate decided the book was referring to the 3rd left (the first was not as well defined and the 3rd was low as described).

Along the way we hear hooves & crashing noises, look up to our left and see an elk running along the hillside. No, maybe its a young moose. After more debate we decide it is two Sasquatches running hand in hand. Around another corner we hear the Sasquatches again, this time below the road.

Somewhere around 4 miles from Little Ski Hill we come to the saddle junction as described in the book. To the south we can see Council Mountain (? need to look at a big map to be sure). We take the left road and as we near the top we hear a vehicle coming down the hill. An old suburban pulling a trailer with 2 spanky new ATVs and a fly fishing float tube, followed closely by a yellow hummer & 2 bored looking passengers. The two friendly fellows in the suburban ("Have a great ride!") must have been sherpa/guides for the hummer.

Consulting the topo at the saddle junction.

Cruising along the ridge we were surprised we were high enough to see McCall and Payette Lake peeking through the trees. To the west we could see the Seven Devils. Great views all around.

Coming down the ridge there were extreme rocky/boulder (they call those baby head boulders I think) sections but most of the road was in good condition. We did pass some people on ATV's, some wearing full camo (hunting Sasquatch?) but most of the day we had the place to ourselves. Excellent ride! My odometer said 8.5 miles when we arrived back at the parking lot, and I think it took us somewhere around 2 1/2 hours (with lots of photo op stops).