The Fox Creek Loop trail is a very popular introduction to the enjoyable cycling trails in the Sun Valley area. The trail starts near the Wood River, climbs a canyon and then up an evergreen covered slope. Near the top you traverse a beautiful sagebrush and aspen plateau before descending back to the main trail.

Trail Description

If accessing this trail from the Lake Creek trailhead (the easiest access), cross the river on the steel footbridge. The trail heads toward the peaks. At the intersection, turn right. Follow the signs until you reach the bottom of the loop, where you will follow the right hand section of the trail. For mountain bikers this is a one way trail, so be certain to travel in a counter-clockwise direction. The trail follows the river until it reaches fox creek, where it begins the ascent. Here you will reach some of the recent burn area that threatened Ketchum homes. Be careful of deadfall! Most of the elevation gain is here. The trail levels out after the burned section, travelling across a wide expanse, where you have wonderful views of the Boulders and Pioneers. The beginning of the descent is marked by a warning sign urging cyclists to yield to hikers and to avoid skids.

A burn section to negotiate.

The elevation gain is not great, but there is a wonderful downhill section on the back end of this loop!

This trail system is well signed, so you should have no problem finding your way.

Getting There

The Lake Creek trailhead is a large, signed parking area approximately 4 miles north of the last stop light from Ketchum on highway 75. The access here is fantastic and you can begin a number of rides both on the upper (Fox Creek area) and lower (Adams Gulch area) trail systems.

If you'd like to shorten the ride some, the Fox Creek trailhead is about 1.5 miles further north on highway 75.

When to Bike

Due to the elevation, this is a short season cycling area. The trails are quite muddy in the spring and fall and in the spring there will often be snow still on the ground.