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Kirkham Ridge Trail
Kirkham Ridge Trail - The Kirkham Ridge Trail ascends from the banks of the Payette River at Bull Trout Lake and is one of the premier trails on the Lowman Ranger District.
It is an important route for motorized and non-motorized users connecting with many other trails on the District.
The trail starts heading roughly northwest from the trailhead located on Hwy 21. It climbs through the Lowman Fire area of 1989 for 9 miles before entering into conifer forest after crossing Miller Creek.
About .5 mile from Miller Creek is an information kiosk at the intersection with the Miller Mountain Trail.
From this point the trail heads northeast along Kirkham Ridge. After about 3 miles the trail intersects with Long Creek Trail from the west.
After the Long Creek intersection the Kirkham Ridge Trail is closed to ATV access.
In approximately 8 miles the trail intersects with the non-motorized Clear Creek Trail coming in from the west. Around the Clear Creek intersection there are several non-designated trails to various lakes in the area.
These non-designated trails are not open for motorized use. Approximately 2 miles from the Clear Creek Trail intersection the motorized Link Trail takes off to the southeast. .5 mile past the Link Trail intersection the non-motorized Cat Lakes Trail takes off to the west; it is only a short hike to Cat Lake.
The Kirkham Ridge Trail continues for several miles more before descending into and crossing over Gates Creek.
About 2 miles after Gates Creek, the trail intersects with the Gates Creek Trail coming from the north.
One mile past that intersection the trail comes to its northern terminus at the Bull Trout Lake Trailhead.
Approximately four miles of the trail (Gates Creek to Eight Mile Creek) were burned in the Red Mountain Fire in 2006.
At a Glance
| Operational Hours: | Open Memorial Day – Labor Day |
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| Rentals & Guides: | Click here to download section 1 of map. Click here to download section 2 of map. Click here to download section 3 of map. |
| Usage: | Light |
| Restrictions: | ATVs are only permitted on the trail from Hwy 21 to the Long Creek Trail (#018) intersection from April 15 - September 30. The remainder of the trail is closed to ATVs. Motorcycles are prohibited on the trail from Hwy 21 to the top of Lick Creek from October 1 - April 14. |
| Closest Towns: | Lowman, Idaho |
| Water: | None |
General Information
Directions:From Boise, Idaho, travel north along State Highway 55 to Banks, Idaho approximately 38 miles.
At Banks, turn right (east) onto State Highway 17 (Banks-Lowman Road) and travel 31 miles to Lowman, Idaho.
At Lowman, turn left at the intersection of State Highway 17 and State Highway 21.
Proceed along State Highway 21 east approximately 5 miles, passing the Kirkham Hot Springs Campground, at mile post 77.
The Kirkham Ridge (State Highway 21 trailhead) is 0.5 miles past the campground. Parking is on the river side of the highway.
The Kirkham Ridge (Bull Trout trailhead) starts at Bull Trout Campground.
General Notes:
The Kirkham Ridge Trailhead (State Highway 21) is a signed site with information kiosk. It serves Kirkham Ridge (#144) and Warm Springs (#147) trails. Located near Kirkham Campground.
The Kirkham Ridge Trailhead (Bull Trout) includes a registration box and loading/unloading ramp for animals. It serves Kirkham Ridge (#144), Warm Springs (#147) and Gates Creek (#016) trails. Located near Warm Springs (Bull Trout) trailhead and Bull Trout Lake Campground.
The Red Mountain Trailhead is a five-acre signed site which includes a restroom, hitching rack, registration box, visitor information, fire rings and picnic tables. This trailhead provides access to the Catpaw Lake (#142), Red Mountain (#143), Kirkham Ridge (#144) and Clear Creek (#145) trails.
All trailheads have space for parking.
Activities
Mountain Biking
35 miles long; The Kirkham Ridge Trail ascends from the banks of the Payette River to at Bull Trout Lake and is one of the premier trails on the Lowman Ranger District. It is an important route for motorized and non-motorized users connecting with many other trails on the District.| Difficulty Level: | Most Difficult |
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Day Hiking
35 miles long; The Kirkham Ridge Trail ascends from the banks of the Payette River to at Bull Trout Lake and is one of the premier trails on the Lowman Ranger District. It is an important route for motorized and non-motorized users connecting with many other trails on the District.| Difficulty Level: | Most Difficult |
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Horse Riding
35 miles long; The Kirkham Ridge Trail ascends from the banks of the Payette River to at Bull Trout Lake and is one of the premier trails on the Lowman Ranger District. It is an important route for motorized and non-motorized users connecting with many other trails on the District.| Difficulty Level: | Most Difficult |
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OHV Trail Riding
35 miles long; Approximately 2 miles from the Clear Creek Trail intersection the motorized Link Trail takes off to the southeast.| Difficulty Level: | Most Difficult |
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