Caribou Loop Trail (2021)

Caribou Loop Trail is a mixed use, mostly gravel and two track, trail that encompasses four Forest Service districts (Palisades, Soda, Kemmerer and Greys), Three counties (Bonneville County, ID; Caribou County, ID; Lincoln County, WY) and Two states (Idaho and Wyomng). The trail was patched together by UTV Clubs, County Commissioners and Economic Development boards, see cariboulooptrail.org for more info. For human powered adventure, the CLT is best ridden counter clockwise. If you like to combine bikepacking with fly fishing, bring your rod, 3-5wt. Also, if you’re a birder, bring binoculars and book. Trail is mostly self supported. Stock up in Alpine. There are food options by detouring into Afton. No mech services on route.

Start Time for Party Pace\Choose Your Adventure–There will be a group start at Alpine Town Hall Friday July 16 at 7:00am, but, the finish party is more important! So your start time should give you enough time to finish at Melvin’s on Sunday July 18 at 6:00pm or before.

Start Time for FKT/Race–Those wanting to race, You have from Friday July 16 at 7:00am through Sunday July 18 at 6:00 pm. You must Start at Alpine Town Hall and finish at Melvin’s on Sunday by 6:00pm.

Finisher Party-There will be a finisher party Sunday at 6:00pm at Melvin Brewing.

Dates: July 16 – 18
Start Time: See Above
Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/33683727

Join us on the brand new Caribou Loop Trail inaugural bikepacking and bikefishing event! Jeremy Larsen, Fitzy Ambassador, former Race Team Director, Alpine Trails and Pathways President and all around awesome dude has presented a new event and trail in our backyard and we’re stoked to bring it to you!

Starting and finishing in Alpine, this is a “choose Your Adventure” ride. You can race to set an FKT (fastest known time), ride for a your own PR, or ride at party pace stopping to see the sights, catch some fish, gaze up at the sky and enjoy the beauty. 200 Miles too much? Arrange a ride and break the ride in half; Alpine to Fairview/Afton or Afton/Smoot to Alpine.

Racers going after the FKT: There are two rules: (1) Don’t be an A-Hole. You are an ambassador to our sport. Wear your spandex with class and pride! (2) You need to be completely SELF supported, both physically (food, water and gear) and mentally (ride with no cheering support from family or friends). This is on the honor system. Be honorable. Be sure to document it on Strava or RWGPS and ride with a SPOT or InReach.

Party Pace/PR: Yours truly and others will start at the Alpine Town Hall on Friday at 7:00am. Friday starters may park there over the weekend. We will ride about 72ish miles to Diamond Creek camp ground. Day two will be a shorter day, riding 50ish miles to Smiths Fork for a little fishing. Day three will be a BIG day finishing 80ish miles to Melvin Brewery by 6:00pm. That 80mi may seem like a lot, but remember, the last 63 miles are all down hill-ish. With this itinerary in mind, know that you Choose Your Adventure. The only priority you want to put on your schedule is finishing at Melvin Brewery by 6:00pm Sunday the 18th.

However you choose to ride it, you must be self-supported or provide your own support (only permitted for non-competitive riders). This is a multi-night bikepacking trip — bring the gear you’ll need to be self-sustained (repair kit and know how to use it, water filter, food, shelter, GPS w/ course, and other bikepacking essentials. If you plan to fish, make sure to have a Wyoming and Idaho fishing license, both can be purchased at KJ’s in Alpine). I highly recommend riders use a SPOT or InReach device.

The Caribou Loop Trail shares portions with the world-class Western Wildlands Route, Great Western Trail and strays not far from the famous Great Divide Mountain Bike Route. This makes a great route for all cyclists wanting an unsupported bikepacking challenge. With plenty of water, camping and a possible resupply (Afton) along the way, It’s a great ride for first time bikepackers. The route can also be cut in half as a point-to-point from Alpine to Fairview or Smoot to Alpine.