Ducking the Muck
Avid recreationalists dread the return of spring mud season. While the promise of green grass is just around the corner, Grand Targhee Resort stops spinning its lifts and the backcountry snow is pocked with sun cups, making it unskiable.
Winter wildlife closures may have lifted, but they, predictably, give way to impassible mud- and snow-covered trails. And come fall, early snowfall can have the same effect, causing trail closures for the season.
This is typically the time when we mountain dwellers head south to shed our layers and feel the sun on our skin. We load up our bikes (often un-tuned and caked with mud from our last ride) and head to southern Utah, Nevada, or even Arizona in search of dry singletrack, smooth slickrock, and vibrant red desert sunsets.
That said, there’s not always enough time or money for an extended excursion to the Valley of the Gods or other desert destinations. But you can still find reprieve from gray days and soggy trails with a short out-of-valley jaunt to the neighboring Idaho city of Pocatello.
It’s amazing what a 125-mile drive and 2,000-foot descent in elevation can get you. Pocatello, lovingly referred to as “Poky” by the locals, is a bustling college town that lies on the southeastern edge of the Snake River Plain. And this spot feels just like the desert if you catch it on a warm spring day. Low-elevation hiking and biking trails often dry out by the end of March, and definitely by early April— and stay dry later into the fall when the snow is flying in the Tetons—making it a welcome, affordable break from mud- season gloom in spring and fall.
My first stop is typically the City Creek trail system, ascending from the edge of the historic Old Town district near Centennial Park. I’ve even rented an Airbnb right at the base of the trailhead. This trail system comprises 3,000 acres laced with singletrack, delivering the most bang for your early-season buck. Park in Centennial Park and climb either the “green circle” Bench Trail or the “blue square” Lower City Creek Trail to get to the goods up high. From there, you can loop your climb with a downhill flow trail called 911, complete with manmade berms and jumps, courtesy of the Pocatello Trail Crew, or take the easy way down (Lifeflight) that skirts along the top of the ravine.
If you hit City Creek when the entire system is melted out, the Upper City Creek lot offers ample dirt parking and starts with a mellower climb up trails and two-track roads to circumnavigate Kinport Peak. Then you descend the notorious Over the Top black-diamond trail, replete with switchbacks and scree-field crossings.
Cary Rhodes, outdoor recreation manager for the City of Pocatello, explains that most of the City Creek Trail System is considered open space owned by the city. It’s bordered on one side by Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land, and on the other by U.S. Forest Service acreage.
“You could ride for days,” Cary says. “There’s a [newly-built connector] trail called Sterling Justice that takes you to Gibson Jack, which leads to the West Fork of Mink Creek. These bikepacking trails are not accessible early season like City Creek, however.”
Jaren Novakovich, store manager of CBI Bikes Pocatello, turned me onto a lesser-known trail system across the valley called Pioneer Ridge. Situated on BLM land, the system is used by the local National Interscholastic Cycling Association team for training.
Access this system by taking the Pocatello Creek Road exit off of I-15, and then use a map app to find the landfill. Cory says the trailhead is located directly across the street from the field archers’ access.
Just like in Teton Valley, trail users are expected to follow proper etiquette. This includes not riding if it’s muddy.
“If mud is sticking to your tires, it’s too muddy to ride and you’re leaving grooves,” Jaren says. “This will ruin the trail for the rest of the season.”
You also need to respect the wildlife, like deer, moose, mountain lions, and, in the summertime, rattlesnakes.
All of the trails in both systems permit two-way traffic, except for 911 because “it’s not conducive to pedaling uphill,” says Jaren. Everything is mixed use, including hiking, biking, and horsepacking, and dog-friendly; bikers need to yield to all others.
According to Cary, Class 1 e-bike use is permitted in City Creek. The Forest Service trails have no regulations regarding e-bikes, and the BLM is in the process of implementing e-bike regulations.
“I like that everyone here is super friendly, so just say ‘hi’ and be nice,” says Cary. She gets excited when she sees license plates from other states at the trailheads. “We are working hard to make improvements,” she says. Increased use justifies her efforts, as it means the bike scene in Pocatello is on the map.
It’s nice to know you can spin your slack-season wheels in a kinder climate right here in southeastern Idaho. Don’t forget to stop into the local bike shops for some real-time beta or a much- needed tune-up. CBI has two mechanics on staff and promises a quick turn- around. Then visit one of the local restaurants or bars downtown, all of which are bikeable from City Creek. It’s a good time and a legit retreat, as Poky’s expanding bike scene is the real deal.
Where To Shop
• CBI Bikes
• Barrie’s Ski and Sports • Oregon Trail Bikes
• East Fork Bikes
Where To Eat
• Fifth Street Bagelry
• Jim Dandy Brewing
• The Martlet Brewery & Public House • Palate Neighborhood Bistro
• Sandbagger’s Bar & Grill
• Off the Rails Brewing
