Mountain cove to the top of Sidewinder
First section Military Reserve connection trail. This .6 mile trail from Mountain cove road to the Crestline trail is steep, loose sand on hard pack,and has several steps. (It also has rattlesnakes in the shade of sagebrush along the trail) I use a recumbent pedal trike and had to use my hands pushing on my tires along with getting a push from a friendly mt biker to make it up this portion of the trail . Once I got to the top of the connection trail, I turned onto Crestline trail which is known as the highway.
Second section, Crestline trail is wide with sand on hard pack and fairly easy to ride for the most part. Crestline trail 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 trail is also sand sections on top of hard pack.
This set of trails is a good workout with about 1000 foot gain. You can pick up speed on the way down, but beware of the sand traps, 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 08
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 3.3 miles north. You will pass Boise State University. Broadway turns into B ave at Warm Springs. Once you pass St Luke’s Hospital, take a right onto reserve street. Drive .4 miles on reserve and take a left onto Mountain cove. Drive 1.2 miles up Mountain Cove past the cemetery to the parking lot with a toilet which will be on the right. Military Reserve connection trail starts about .4 miles further up the road on the left side of the road. I used 2 bottles of water on this ride. No water available on this ride.
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