Approaches

From North. Road signs that are useful for people traveling through a remote area, is not something that Idaho specializes in. Gravel road junctions are generally unsigned. Sometimes they look like private ranch entrances. But the turnoff to Doyle Creek Rd is easily recognized if you know what you are looking for. About 50 yards past the turnoff is a sign stating "mountainous road, trailers not advised" - not that this road is any more mountainous than all the ones that do not have a sign. This is the only sign of this kind, that I have seen in this part of Idaho, and thus it uniquely identifies the turnoff.

Even though the grassy surface of the road makes me conclude that travel on this road is light to nonexistent, the surface is excellent for mountain tire cycling. My map shows two options for the lower approach. But in reality only the southern option exists. The northern option has been closed down, since Appendicitis Hill has been placed in a Wilderness Study Area. The rock outcrops on that side of the road appear unique. A billowing kind of lava or sandstone forms knobby outcrops, that are completely different than the other side of the road.

As the road climbs it delivers surprisingly great views of the main ridge of the White Knob Mountains. Another reason for the nonexistent traffic becomes apparent in a short section, where the road is so deeply rutted, they would have to invent a jumping car, in order to drive this road.

The top is above treeline in gentle, high, round hills. A short detour from the summit gives great views from the aforementioned White Knobs to the Lost River Range, terminating in a series of intricately folded and faulted rock layers behind Arco, as well as Great Northern Butte standing out like a big industrial tailings pile, out on the Kamas Prarie.

From South. (described downwards) Traversing a nice series of near-switchbacks connected into road triangles make a great way to celebrate the view onto the Idaho version of the Great Plains. Then the track turns its attention to the north and descends quickly and uniformly, heading for a mountain face in the Lost River Range.

At the bottom is a confusing plethora of intersections to more unpaved roads, connected together by rectangular turns. Some are ranch entrances. others are private ranch roads, and others connect to various points on US93. These would have a certain appeal if you say - would commute to these ranches on a daily basis. But on a first ride they require some extra map time to figure out which ones end. Things are straight forward if you just want to head towards US93, but a little more complicated if you want to stay on gravel, to complete a day loop and meet up with the beginning of the northern approach. I ended up riding back on US93, in spite of looking for a gravel road short cut towards "Craters", as people refer to the national monument here. However, I suspect I actually opted for the shorter option, timewise.

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