Those who know, know Pocatello.
If Idaho’s mountain biking scene has a secret handshake, Pocatello is it. Situated in a narrow wedge of valley between the Bannock and Portneuf ranges on the Snake River plain and wedged between better-known destinations in Sun Valley and the Wasatch, the riding in one of Idaho’s largest cities remains an open secret, even to locals.
Simply put, Pocatello is one of the best trail towns you’ve never heard of.
Forming the western edge of the valley, the Bannock Range is the backbone of the city’s sprawling trail network. Three riding regions—City Creek, Gibson-Jack and Scout Mountain—string north to south across sagebrush-draped hills and wooded valleys. The hills here come alive with the bright pop of balsamroot flowers in April and May, although higher-elevation trails may remain snowbound until summer. Autumn riding brings stunning color and mild temperatures. And although Pocatello sits in the “dry” part of the state, locals will tell you the city seems to create its own weather; snow squalls and sweltering temperatures can rub shoulders most seasons. It all adds up to a true backcountry feel, including limited cell service, within 10 miles of the city.
With hundreds of miles of trail—the numbers vary; no one has mapped all of them—there’s enough riding here for even the most intrepid explorers to keep discovering secrets. But the following rides will teach you the secret handshake and make you a convert.
City Creek Loop | A Pocatello Primer
Managed by the City of Pocatello and accessible via a quiet residential neighborhood on the edge of downtown, the City Creek system is the centerpiece of Pocatello’s trail network. The uphill-only Lower City Creek trail crosses ten wooden bridges as it traces the shaded streambank of its namesake. The occasional rock or short, punchy climb will keep riders focused, but overall this trail suits all levels of single-track skill. After a mile Lower City Creek intersects City Creek Road; past here, Upper City Creek—now open to uphill and downhill travel—meanders next to or slightly above the creek bed for another mile, providing access to several local favorite routes. On the return, several downhill routes parallel Lower City Creek; the big dips and banked turns of 911 will finish off the ride with flair, while Lifeflight takes a mellower tack.
Grove / Bowling Ball Loop | City Creek Dirt Surfing
The City Creek trail is the stem for several classic Pocatello loops, and Grove – Bowling Ball loop is among the best. Beginning from Upper City Creek, the Grove trail quickly leaves grassland behind for a tunnel of twisted maple trunks. The scenery will be a surprise for those with preconceived notions of the arid Snake River plain of southeast Idaho. From the top of Grove, the Bowling Ball loop climbs faint bovine-braided tread to a rocky knob with impressive views of Pocatello. Ride the loop counterclockwise and finish with Gutterball, where all those leaves mulch into a surprisingly surfy dirt. Drift into steep, leaf-littered turns before a return trip on Grove, where branches flash past in a blur of tight turns.
Slate Mountain / Gibson Jack Loop | Bannock Backcountry
Backcountry rides often sacrifice single-track quality for the overall ride experience. Not so the Slate Mountain / Gibson Jack loop in the Gibson Jack riding area. This 14-mile loop alternates between steady, never-too-steep climbs and fast, twisting descents accompanied by views—of aspen-lined valleys and rows of low, forested hills—that rival any single track in the state. Ride this route clockwise for the best climbs-to-views payoff that culminates in a fast, rock garden descent through tall grass and aspens and across splashing creeks. All this from a trailhead ten minutes from downtown.
Post-ride
Tacos and two wheels make a natural trio, and El Herradero offers the former, as well as a full menu of authentic Mexican staples, in a setting where bike shirts will not feel out of place. While sushi is a less-obvious post-ride pairing—especially in landlocked southeast Idaho — Sumisu is a local favorite for good reason.
Feature image is credited to Aaron Theisen
Aaron Theisen is an outdoors writer and photographer whose work has appeared in Freehub, Mountain Flyer, Powder, Backpacker and elsewhere. His passions are the big peaks and small towns of the Northern Rockies. When he’s not searching for obscure trails or sampling the region’s dive bars, Aaron can be found mountain biking and skiing around his hometown of Spokane, Washington.
Published on October 24, 2023
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