Mountain cove to the top of Sidewinder
First section Military Reserve connection .6 miles, from Mountain cove is steep, loose sand and has several steps. (and has rattlesnakes in the shade along the trail) I use a recumbent pedal trike and had to use my hands pushing on my tires to make it up, along with getting a push from a friendly mt biker. Once I got to the top of that trail, I turned onto Crestline trail known as the highway. Second section, Crestline is wide, with sand on hard pack and fairly easy to ride for the most part. Crestline heads up toward the hills, and has several longer sand sections. I had to use my hands and feet in several steep sandy sections and get another push from another friendly mt biker. About 2 miles in you hit a hard right hand turn section 3 that takes you up Sidewinder. This is a bit narrower 30″-35″ trail which widens out again and continues up 1.3 miles to a junction which I think is the 8th street motorcycle trail #4/sidewinder junction. This is a good workout with about 1000 foot gain. You can pick up speed on the way down, but beware of the sand traps on the way down, they can suck you in.
More Information
Trail Name: Mountain cove to the top of Sidewinder
Type: Narrow trail (< 30"), Wide trail (≥ 30″), Recreation path, Start and end at the same point (Out-and-Back)
Rating: Adaptive Level 8
Length: About 7 mi round trip
Steepest Section: Moderate – between 10-30º
Most Off-Camber Section: Mild – under 10º
Terrain: Mostly hardpack, lengthy loose sections
Obstacles: Brush and/or other growth, Baby heads and/or rock gardens, Sand traps
Help Needed? Yes, a little
Even more info: https://www.mtbproject.com/trail/625575
Directions to Trailhead
From I-84, take the Broadway ave exit. Follow Broadway ave 5 or 6 miles north. You will pass Boise State University. Continue north, once you pass St Luke’s Hospital, take a right onto reserve street and a left onto Mountain cove. Drive up Mountain Cove past the cemetery to the parking lot with a toilet which will be on the right. Military Reserve connection trail starts several hundred yards further up the road on the left side of the road. I used 2 bottles of water on this ride.