Stats: 5 Mile Moderate Loop

Distance: 5 miles

Difficulty Rating: Moderate

The ride: Loop, with options

Starting Elevation: 5,300 feet

High Point Elevation: 6,220 feet

Total Elevation Gain: 750 feet

Surface: Jeep road, single track

Getting there:

From the stoplight at Bullion Street and Hwy 75 (Main) in downtown Hailey, drive west into the large canyon named Croy Canyon. At 1.7 miles, park on the right side of the road next to the dirt road and fence. This is Democrat Canyon. An option is to park at Hop Porter Park and ride the single track that parallels Croy Canyon Road. This starts 100 yards up the trail as if you where going up Carbonate Mtn Trail. Stay to the left at the first junction. The singletrack ends at the Humane Society. Exit there gate and follow the road to the trail head.

0.0  Begin by riding up the dirt road that you parked next to. Stay on this road for the next mile
1.0  Turn right just past the trees onto a jeep road that crosses the stream soon thereafter
2.0  After crossing a cattle guard then another stream, stay left at the next junction

Option: At this junction you may take a right and ride up the double track for .5 miles. The trail will split at a rocky out croppinig to the left and will wind it's way along the hillside offering great views and a short downhill back to the main trail. Take a right at the junction. This option is about 1.5 miles long.

2.5  In the small clearing a jeep road goes up and left and a jeep road goes up and right. Instead, take the singletrack that follows along the right side of the creek bed. After roughly 0.2 mile, take a sharp left turn into the aspens and begin a moderate climb up to the top.

2.9  At the saddle where the trails join up, turn right (west) and head down on a faint jeep road that turns to singletrack shortly. On the grassy hill make a sharp left and follow the single track over a water bar which will wind it's way into the aspen grove below. The faint trail down the grassy slope is closed.
3.8  Junction with Democrat Gulch Road. Turn left here.
4.8 Ride toward Croy Canyon road where the ride started.

Option: Make a right when exiting onto Democrat Gulch Road at mile 3.8. Ride 100 yards and look for a trail heading off to the left up a draw. The single track is part of a system that heads to the BMX track. This will consist of a very steep climb to start with moderate ups and downs for approximately 2 miles. At the BMX track you can back track or take Croy Road back to your starting point.