Fish Creek via Snow Creek to Baker Draw

The Fish Creek Road, constructed to accommodate a now largely defunct logging industry, has long been a staple for local riders. It features an abundance of climbing and minimal traffic. Starting from Warm River, the Fish Creek Road is about 25 miles to the end of the pavement (continues on gravel to Big Springs) with the option of adding Baker Draw, about a ten mile down-and-back spur, making a total distance of 50 to 70 miles (70 to 90 if you start from Brian’s house).

One of the toughest rides of my life was many years ago when Scott Wood and I rode the Scenic Byway loop (Ashton Hill, Harriman, Mesa Falls) plus Fish Creek and Baker Draw for a total of 120 miles or so. It was a hot day, midsummer, and we ran out of water hours before the end of the ride. In recent years, we have ridden more Fish Creek variations than I can keep track of. These rides have evolved due to a couple of things: Brian’s extensive exploration of the area and the use of gravel bikes which have allowed us to take advantage of the many unpaved roads in the Ashton area. We have discovered that it is a lot more fun to ride down Baker Draw and to continue on gravel than to turn around and climb back out.

Saturday’s ride was a loop starting and finishing at Bear Gulch, with a gravel departure from the Fish Creek Road on the Snow Creek Road and the Snow Creek Butte Road where the two group pictures were taken. The “action shot” was taken rolling in to the top of Baker Draw. We completed the loop on gravel and finished along Warm River. I am showing a distance of just over 58 miles and a travel time of a little under 4 hours. Realistically, my participation may have been the rate limiting factor of the ride yesterday since everyone was riding pretty strong. Most cyclists interested in the version of the loop we did yesterday should probably plan on a minimum of four hours.

Also yesterday, John, Shae, and Brian Bell returned to Pocatello to tackle the big climbs there. They posted a photo on the Rexburg Cycling Facebook page. Thanks to Joe for these photos and to Jeff for the maps and technical information.