Hey South West Idaho Snowmobilers

[F-Bomb]

For those of you who miss riding the Lowman Idaho area you should be aware that the Southfork Lodge is back up and running full blast. It is a beautiful facility with an excellent restaurant and bar. We have been totally missing the boat by not discovering this facility and resource sooner. Haven't ridden Bear Valley but once and awhile and it is simply epic boondocking and SO CLOSE TO BOISE.

There was an issue with parking in the past but now there is $10 PAID parking on north side of the river just before the bridge. You can get your daily parking refunded by having breakfast or dinner at the lodge. The food was very good and the new management is trying very hard to accomodate sledders. Call ahead to the lodge and check on parking at 208-259-3871 or www.southforklodge.biz.

They are running lodging and meal specials daily or simply pop up from Boise for an awesome day of fun. THIS IS THE BEST BOONDOCK RIDING AND CURRENT SNOW/RIDING CONDITIONS IN THIS PART OF THE STATE and the closest quality riding to Boise.

NOW READ THIS......
Bear Valley is an absolute hidden gem of free powder riding in the United States. High altitude meadow and rolling hills that stretch forever. Hills and challenging tree riding on both sides of the trail for miles and miles....some minor hillclimbing but generally should be considered the world's greatest boondocking. The trail up to Bear Valley from Lowman was butter smooth and is getting almost no use. Both ends of the 90 odd mile trail are pushing hard for continued grooming as to benefit business and use on each end of the trailhead.

 

[PowderEatin]

Rob---

Was it groomed from Lowman? Two weeks ago it wasn't groomed and we had to cut our way under a downed tree up in the switch-backs. No tracks beyond that point---Big Meadow looked like we were the first humans up there this year.....boondocking heaven. Still hitting the same meadows as the last 3-4 years and have never seen a track in them.....good thing most sledders stick to the trail and keep her pointed for Stanley.

 

[F-Bomb]

Yes they groomed it from Lowman all the way and it was awesome! It was my understanding that they brought in some "extra" help to make this work for our group. We brought a lot of fun people and spent alot of money this weekend in both Lowman and Stanley. In order to get riders to commit to this trip you have to have a good trail system. They have been in cleaning up some of the connecting trails and taking care of some downfalls. We met some of those hard working individuals in the highway parking lot at the top of Bear Valley. We thanked them profusely for everyone! Hardly anybody is using this trail. Some reasons may be the parking issues in Lowman (WHICH ARE NOW ABSOLUTELY ADDRESSED), snow conditions, and the state of the economy causing everything recreational to be slower.

One of our crew really went the extra mile to make certain that we had a smooth trip as that is the secret to making the Lowman to Stanley run enjoyable. There were several hard working individuals on both ends that made that come together and I EXPRESS MY APPRECIATION BY TELLING AS MANY SOLES THAT I CAN TO GET UP THERE AND SUPPORT THESE PEOPLE AND THEIR BUSINESS'. Yes it will add traffic to our beloved play area but I'm willing to share as it ESPECIALLY SINCE IT ISN'T MINE it's OURS! We need people to start using this trail or they will quit grooming it all together and then nobody benefits from some of the best play riding anywhere.

PASS THE WORD...ENJOY THE RIDE!!!

 

[IdM7]

Is it groomed from the Southfork Lodge now instead of the gas station? The lodge is a few miles up the road isn't it? I assume the lodge will be the new trailhead.

Bear Valley is pretty good riding. Nobody tears it up either. I think most people are going to Stanley. Hardly ever see tracks back there even when the trail is destroyed. The long trail is the only downer, but well worth it on a powder day.

 

[F-Bomb]

Actually the lodge is right on the Payette River on HWY 21 a few hundred yards from the intersection. Their plowed parking lot is just before you cross the river on your right after you have turned off of the Lowman HWY. It's a few hundred yards to walk across the way to get to the lodge and coordinate parking and eating. Or you can turn around at the lodge, eat, then go park where they designate.

THERE IS NO GAS IN LOWMAN

The trail head is the traditional one that is immediately due N of the Lowman HWY just as it intersects with HWY 21. You have to cross the paved road twice as you make your way along or once and go a few hundred yards on the hwy, then you are on a drive-able road for a few more hundred yards prior to the actual groomed sled trail.

 

[Extreme-One]

Good post Rob... you're right, the Southfork Lodge is really excited to get snowmobiles into the area. The lodge looks great and the cabin specials are a killer deal.

IdM7... the lodge is like Rob said... about 300 yards toward ID City from the junction of Hwy 17 and Hwy 21. I think you're thinking of the Sourdough Lodge the opposite direction. It is not groomed to the parking lot but there is a trail cut from the parking lot past the little red school house and you only have to cross the pavement once now.

The Stanley Groomer is suppose to groom once a week until funds run out and you can check on their grooming status by going to this site...

http://www.stanleycc.org/pages_vinfo/winter.shtml

You can also contact them from the info on their site... if you have a large group going in to Stanley they will do what they can to make sure the trail is smooth.

 

[IDAHDOO]

perfect timing !!

Too funny ! Great info at just the right time. I won a night stay at the
S.F. lodge at the Thunderstruck show and we were thinking of heading up this weekend. You guys just talked me into it
With the current snow conditions a long tour might be just the thing to doo.

THANKS BOMBER !

 

[F-Bomb]

You bet...have a great time! Hey forgot to mention watch out for deer and elk on the lower section of the Lowman to Stanley trail. Winter feeding grounds and they are everywhere. Neat family thing to take the kids and let them see the animals so close.

Also if this weekends storm will dump a foot or two on what's already there the next sunny day will be dedicated to R and D in Bear Valley for the Better Boards company! E P I C

 

[southfork lodge]

Thankyou all for talking an interest in south fork lodge the letters were very complimentary, give us a call at any time, hope to here from yoy all soon. Paul at the southfork lodge. My email is pnventerprises@hotmail.com.

 

[southfork lodge]

Thank you all for taking the interest to visiting Southfork Lodge. We have parking for at least 25 trailers. Looking forward to seeing you soon. Again Thanks!

Sincerely

Paul

www.southforklodge.biz
info@southforklodge.biz

 

[Extreme-One]

ttt

 

[Extreme-One]

Idahdoo... did you stay at the lodge? How was the riding and the trail into Bear Valley?

 

[IDAHDOO]

We had a GREAT time. Robs right. Boondock heaven. Smoooth sailing on the way in.Trails were as good as trails can be. Opens up to the biggest meadow I have ever sled in ! All the dredging and dykes they did up there made for some fun moto x freestyle ! Rode to the Ranger station and back. Nice big bon fire at lunch. Weather could have been better. But we need the SNOW !
Got the skinny on some good 8500' stuff near by. Whitehawk mtn ? Hit Kirkum hot springs après ski. ahhh ! ( Have pics but their x rated ) Stayed in the motel. VERY NICE room. Had one of the best steak diane I have ever had ! The restaurant was first class and service was great ! Nice atmosphere. A+++ EXPERIENCE.
The Nicholsons give it 2 thumbs up !

btw....THANK'S PAUL !

 

[F-Bomb]

We are giving the South Fork Lodge another go this weekend with a small group. Should be fun and a nice break from the madness surrounding McCall with winter carnival and Special Olympics. A little 12'-24" dumping on Friday night would be appreciated! Rob's ride report on Monday.............

 

[concreteman]

great place to stop off after your ride or get a room and be on the trail first in the morning

 

[concreteman]

bearvally is a boon dockers Paradise

 

[FlyZ28]

a break from the madness!

I definately have to check out where this place is. We have a large group( about 50-60 riders) going to McCall this weekend and we're staying till next weekend. It probably wouldn't be so chaotic except for it also being the week of the winter special olympics.
Sounds like this Lowman area is good riding and offers a great place to eat and sleep. If it's not too much farther, might just be a great alternate spot to go next year!
Thanks for the heads up, F-Bomb.

 

[F-Bomb]

Well McCall is the best of the best but we are there all of the time plus it's been a bit average (minus) this year. Having dealt with the carnival crowd last week and now the thought of them plus the additional Special Olympics crowd makes me feel a bit sorry for you guys. The good news is that there are about 1/3rd of the total sled users going on around McCall this season so it's not crowded even when it seems full. JUST NEED SNOW and everything is back to magical. It should snow like mad since I'm off to Wyoming after this weekend (that's seems to be how it works).

Hey (please) go to the public golf course off of Davis and eat. Good food reasonable and they are trying very hard. We want them to keep on keeping on! Kills the MILL for quality and price..atmosphere isn't quite there but you can go to the bar after you eat.

We'll try to take pictures and give a report from this weekends ride in Bear Valley and our stay at the lodge so you guys will have something to go from. Some of the group are there right now and I wish I was!

 

[Lucias]

We were up there last weekend.. paid 10 bucks to park and we stayed in Stanley for 2 nights.. Snow could have been better but it was awesome for the snow we have had this year..

here are a couple of pics of the fun.... Mostly of Abby rock'n..
http://s297.photobucket.com/albums/mm205/leaderbeanjr/Stanley/

 

[F-Bomb]

Well once again Bear Valley and the South Fork Lodge does it again. Weather was absolutely epic with calm, crisp, and totally BLUE BIRD both days! Trail was butter smooth even with about as much use as any weekend this season. Once you are in Bear Valley or over the summit there is endless untracked playdom! We hit about fifteen lightly treed non-steep powder filled hillsides and four or five 800 acre open meadows and then BEAR VALLEY! Mile after mile of flat open free riding. ALL UN-TOUCHED. 14 riders one day and 11 the next and you could carve free of other's tracks until you couldn't hang on anymore. We took a group from Seattle that were on a father son family trip on very small mtn sleds and they had an awesome time learning mtn sledding and playing in the powder.

So the riding is wonderful, easy for any level of sledder, on any kind of sled, yet still fun for hot rodders as well. Return from a great day of riding to an awesome meal in a very upscale lodge setting over looking the river. Stayed in the brand new rooms which were EXCELLENT. Each room has multiple wall fan heaters, closets, sitting or visiting areas, comfortable log beds, quality upscale linens, real blinds, well lit, ceiling fans, and clean shower/bathrooms. Good enough construction that you can't hear the people in the next room over like they were in there with you. Over all excellent rating for a vacation rental room in such a remote environment.

Now the good stuff...THE BAR! Neat little bar with modern juke box, pool table, Scarioke, protector TV on huge screen (we wowed the locals with Thunderstruck and other misc extreme sled movies). Modest drink prices served with a smile. NEXT TIME I BUST OUT THE WII FOR EXTREME BAR BOWLING TOURNAMENT. Happy friendly local patrons, guests, and employees all having a great time enjoying adult beverages and relaxing away the days ride. No drama, no hassles, just fun! (pretty much perfect)

Thanks to Paul and staff from the South Fork Lodge for treating us as royalty at every turn. They are doing such a great job re-developing winter recreation in Lowman. We had an incredible weekend and I encourage everyone to check it out.

photos to come when camara man Scott get's them