South Eden Canyon - North
Eden Canyon(sh)
On some maps it looks like it would
be pretty easy to ride a loop through these two
canyons on the west shore of Bear Lake. South Eden
is definitely Eden compared to North Eden. This
route crosses all kinds of ranch gates, and on the
north side follows abandoned ranch roads and
walking tracks.
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1.(00.0m,5930ft)START-END
SOUTH: low point on Cisco Rd on shore of
Bear Lake
2.(02.2m,5970ft)profile turns up South
Eden Canyon
3,(09.0m,6960ft)TOP; also jct with more
heavily used route on left going up Black
Mountain
4.(13.4m,6420ft)route turns down North
Eden Canyon on indistinct track
5.(17.8m,5990ft)profile rejoins Cisco Rd
6.(18.6m,5950ft)START-ENDN NORTH: low
point on Cisco Rd, just inside Idaho
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Approaches
From North. North Eden
Canyon is the best signed road on the west side of
Bear Lake. Actually it might be the only one that
is labeled with a sign. The canyon is nothing
special, except that on one descent I encountered
two rattle snakes in the middle of the road. Near
the top of this sagebrush gutter the profile takes
an unsigned left turn and follows a straight track
across the wavy plateau. After crossing a gate it
crests in a group of abandoned buildings and
antique ranch equipment. This is the most
inspiring spot along this journey. Distant
snowcapped mountains are like distant islands in
this high sea of sagebrush. The road plows through
it like a boat leaving a wake.
From South. (described
downwards). But you have to pay for the beauty of
North Eden with the hellishness of South Eden. It
starts out pleasant enough. Following the main
track the road descends to some befuddled cows (I
foreget how many locked gates there are in
between). Soon the road starts to climb steeply up
Black Mountain, a landmark peak that is easily
spotted while on a ride around Bear Lake. This may
be an interesting excursion in its own right, but
it is not the way down. Retracing ones way back,
with the help of the gps I find an abandoned road
that leads into another sagebrush drainage with
sandy rock outcrops on the opposite side.
Yet another gate, and the route continues in land
classified as "walk-in". It is my understanding
that bicycles are okay here, since the signs only
mention motors as prohibited. Following this track
on the gps it becomes a single track, verging on a
0 track.
At the junction with South Eden Canyon I decide
on a down valley route even though continuing up
the valley may be a better trail. Following the
canyon down, this is first a meadow, then a walk
through very large sage brush, so big they top out
above my head and riding is impossible. Black Fly
hell ensues; then a short section of easily
rideable single track -good enough for a bicycling
magazine - finally a section through a muddy
stream covered with spongy green algae. Befuddled
cows are the only witnesses to the curious
journey. In the end a good dirt road leads the
final mile down to the end of South Eden Canyon.
There must be a better way.
A Dayride with this point as highest summit:
PARTIALLY PAVED / UNPAVED / WALKING TRAILS / NO
TRAILS
( < Bear
River Plateau -1(sh) | FR007 Temple
Fork s(u) > )
South Eden Canyon - North Eden Canyon(sh): a
short distance up South Eden Canyon > unsigned
left turn on route as shown in profile <>
out and back a short distance up towards Black Mtn
>> down abandoned ranch trail south towards
South Eden Canyon > down South Eden Canyon on a
variety of trails and surfaces > Cisco Rd north
along shore of Bear Lake > North Shore Road
west across Bear Lake >. US89 north >
St Charles > Fishhaven > Garden City >
Cisco Rd north > back to starting point in
South Eden Canyon : 62.5miles with 2230ft of
climbing in 6:10hrs (garmin etrex30:17.6.15)
Notes: This is a ride around Bear Lake with
this little summit thrown in for diversion. ...
with a little help against the wind from Scott,
environmental science student from Logan on ride
around Bear Lake and looking for a raspberry
milkshake.
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