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Long Fork Silver Creek / Bitter Creek Trail
The Long Fork Silver Creek/ Bitter Creek Trail
The trail begins in a narrow canyon beside the Long Fork of Silver Creek.
It parallels to the Long Fork of Silver Creek and Bitter Creek, passes through meadows, and from the top of the Silver and Bitter Creek drainages offers views of the mountains and valleys to the west and east.
Huge granite outcrops border the north and south sides of the trail.
The trail levels, then descends to meet the creek again near a large blade-shaped granite wall.
The trail climbs steeply away from the Long Fork of Silver Creek. The trail passes through a large meadow, then several small ones.
The trail crosses the Long Fork of Silver Creek for the last time about a quarter mile from its highest point--the top of the Silver Creek drainage.
At the crossing, the creek is only a narrow, shallow trickle. Grassy slopes are replaced by boulder fields as the trail climbs steeply to a saddle dividing the Silver Creek and Bitter Creek drainages.
The trail crosses the saddle and descends steeply into the Bitter Creek drainage where it soon levels.
Within three miles, the trail traverses a lodgepole flat, then fords Deadwood River. At a dispersed campsite on the river's east side, the trail overlaps a short, narrow road and ends at its intersection with Forest Service (FS) Road 555.
At a Glance
| Rentals & Guides: | Click here to download a "Print to Go" guide for Bitter Creek Trail. |
|---|---|
| Usage: | Light |
| Closest Towns: | Lowman, Idaho |
| Water: | None |
General Information
Directions:From Boise, Idaho, travel State Highway 55 north 38 miles to Banks, Idaho.
From Banks, turn east onto State Highway 17 (also known as the Banks/Lowman Road) and proceed about 10 miles to the Crouch turn-off.
Head north through Crouch on the paved road, which becomes Forest Service (FS) Road 698.
Continue north along FS Road 698 to the intersection with FS Road 671, then travel northeast on FS Road 671 and proceed 10 miles to the intersection of FS Road 671E.
Travel north on FS Road 671E about 2 miles to an unsigned but blazed trailhead on the east side of a large clearing, just north of the Long Fork of Silver Creek, which is identified by a sign.
Parking is available at the trailhead for 10 to 15 vehicles.
General Notes:
The Long Fork Silver Creek / Bitter CreekTrailhead has an information kiosk with 2 sign boards and a large parking area.
There are two trailheads and one parking area - the Silver Creek Summit Trail and the Long Fork Silver Creek / Bitter Creek Trail.
Activities
Mountain Biking
Mountain Bike the Trail
Long Fork of Silver Creek (#028) - This single-track motorized use trail is in Silver Creek drainage shared by the Emmett and Lowman districts. The approximately 11 mile trail is used by intermediate to advanced mountain bikers. The trail begins in a narrow canyon, passes through meadows, and from the top of the Silver and Bitter Creek drainages offers views of the mountains and valleys to the west and east. Huge granite outcrops border the north and south sides of the trail. The trail levels, and then descends to meet the creek again near a large blade-shaped granite wall. The trail climbs steeply away from the Long Fork of Silver Creek. The trail passes through a large meadow, then several small ones. The trail crosses the Long Fork of Silver Creek for the last time about a quarter mile from its highest point--the top of the Silver Creek drainage. Grassy slopes are replaced by boulder fields as the trail climbs steeply to a saddle dividing the Silver Creek and Bitter Creek drainages. The trail crosses the saddle and descends steeply into the Bitter Creek drainage where it soon levels. Within three miles, the trail traverses a lodgepole flat, then fords Deadwood River. The trail overlaps a short, narrow road and ends at its intersection with the Landmark-Stanley Road (Forest Road 555). To get there, take Forest Road 671 all the way to the end of the road and go right, crossing over a bridge to the trailhead parking. The trailhead kiosk is located right next to where the trail begins
| Difficulty Level: | Most Difficult |
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Day Hiking
Day hike along the huge granite outcrops that border the north and south sides of the trail.
| Difficulty Level: | Most Difficult |
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Horse Riding
Horse riding and camping opportunities in the area.
| Difficulty Level: | Most Difficult |
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OHV Trail Riding
Make sure you take the Emmett Ranger District Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM) for information about open OHV trail riding in the area.
| Difficulty Level: | Most Difficult |
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