Idaho Hot Springs, Day 2, Willow Creek Dispersed Camping to Featherville, 40 miles, 3,973 feet elevation | Springing into a Hot HAB (Hike-A-Bike)

Riding Stats

Accommodations

Day two started out with two coffees each and oatmeal with freeze dried strawberries.

Within two miles we hit our first hot spring: Loftus. We keep shorts handy at the top of our bags so we can quickly slip out of bike shorts and into quick dry shorts to wear in the spring. The hot water on a cool morning felt soooo good!

The scenery riding on Willow Creek Road along the middle fork of the Boise River continues to awe us although we’re beginning to see remnants of past forest fires.

The route had us turn right on Pfifer Creek Road for an eight mile climb and that’s when the party ended.

We rode Pfifer Creek Road up and over Steel Mountain Summit (elevation 7,150 feet) and it was about the biggest butt kicker of a climb we’ve experienced due to heat (upper 90’s and little shade), grade (8% average but also areas of 14%) and road surface (rocky, rutted and deep sand).

Tom didn’t have as much trouble as I but in addition to the heat and climb, my legs and lungs just weren’t getting the oxygen they needed to work. Maybe I’m not adjusted to altitude?

However, the Trinity Mountains were to the south and the Boise Mountains to the north so there was always something to look at while I hobbled up to the top.

Honestly I’ll bet I walked almost the entire eight miles pushing a 50 lb loaded bike up the mountain in the sun. Tom came back TWICE to help me push my bike up because about all I could do was take 25 steps, stop and rest and then 25 more. Sometimes only 10 steps. It was a pitiful experience.

I kept thinking about my friend Bonnie, my nephew Vince and my friends and neighbors undergoing treatment for cancer (all of whom I’ve been praying for) who would give anything to be out doing what they love to do and here I was squandering what I love to do. It was definitely a buzz kill for me.

About a mile from the top Tom found a waterfall with fresh cold water. We filtered four liters and continued peddling to the summit. After clinking plastic water bottles for cheers once we got to the top we immediately began the steep descent back down the other side.

Riding down Steel Mountain I spotted a black bear running up the hill to my right. Both times I’ve seen bears on back country rides I’ve heard them first. They are so noisy in the woods tromping on everything in their path. They certainly could take a few lessons on stealth in the woods from white tailed deer. On second thought. Maybe it’s better if they don’t. 👀

We made a right on Rocky Bar Road into Featherville onto the first stretch of pavement we’ve seen since we started.

It appears to be a rally point for ATVers and locals with a motel, saloon and cafe. We took in burgers and a beer but passed on the motel and instead chose a nice spot by the creek suggested by Pat, one of the locals.

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