Adams Gulch
The Adams gulch trailhead is a popular mountain biking/hiking area just north of Ketchum ID off of highway 75. The canyon has a half dozen trails in it with some of them being more handcycle friendly than others.
I usually ride it as an out and back. Starting at the Adams gulch trailhead and riding the wide single track section (Adaptive level 6) up the bottom of the canyon roughly one and a half miles to the Eve’s gulch fork. Eve’s gulch trail is a single track section (Adaptive level 7) that winds up through a drainage roughly one and a half miles with a fairly moderate climb to the base of a trail that takes you to a fun downhill section called Forbidden Fruit. The last half mile up to the beginning of the Forbidden Fruit section is a pretty good challenge. It’s steep and loose with four tight 180 degree switchbacks up to the top but, the downhill is well worth the climb! A beginner rider may want to hold off riding Forbidden Fruit until you are more experienced with the workings of your handcycle. Forbidden Fruit is a fun 4-5 minute roller coaster ride back down to the main trail (Adaptive level 8). The return trip is the same sections of trail in reverse.
Things to keep in mind:
- The Adams gulch trail crosses the creek four times. The bridges are to narrow for a handcycle and you have to take the creek crossings.
- They are not overly difficult but, can be a little spooky in high water periods.
- This area is prone to downed trees. It’s a good idea to quiz other riders coming down to see if there any trees across the trail.
- Forbidden Fruit is not rideable with downed trees!
More Information
Trail Name: Adams Gulch
Location: Ketchum, Idaho | Map
Type: Narrow trail (< 30"), Start and end at the same point (Out-and-Back)
Rating: Adaptive Level 07
Length: 6-7 miles
Steepest Section: Moderate – between 10-30º
Most Off-Camber Section: Mild – under 10º
Terrain: Mostly hardpack, minimal loose sections
Obstacles: Brush and/or other growth, Water crossings
Help Needed? Nope
Even more info: BCRD
Directions to Trailhead
Drive two miles north of Ketchum ID, on highway 75. Take the Adams Gulch access to the left (west) which winds through a small residential area. The paved road comes to a stop sign fork in the road. Take the left lane and follow the road roughly a mile out the cu de sac/trailhead.
Adams/Eve’s: http://summertrailink.bcrd.org/trail146oldadamsgulchroadtrailandevegulchtrail.php
Forbidden Fruit: http://summertrailink.bcrd.org/forbiddenfruittrail159.php
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Nice review Jet. I remember this ride when I came up there a couple years ago. The first couple miles were pretty easy I’d say Adaptive Level 6 but those water crossings are what makes it a bit more challenging and bump the rating up. Might be smart for newer riders to have a friend come along to help them across in case.
I remember Forbidden Fruit being an EPIC downhill that put smiles on everyone’s face but you DON’T want to make a mistake at high speed otherwise you’re rolling for rubber side up, through trees and brush for quite a while. Newer riders should ride it with caution the first time to get a feel for the turns and off camber sections…..then afterwards rip it again with some speed! Would love to do this trail again!