SLoToJa

When to go

• Mid-June to early October: weather may permit a longer window, but be sure to watch temperatures in Wyoming. It gets cold up there!

What Bike and Gear

• Ideal Bike and Setup: the ideal tire size would be 2.25 – 2.5 inches. Given the mix of highway, dirt/gravel roads, singletrack and highway, other tire sizes will just exhibit their relative pros and cons. I’d caution against doing this with less than 2-inch tires. Low gearing for the steepest parts would also be recommended.
• The only bike shops on the route are in Logan and Jackson. Plan accordingly. Alpine, Wyoming has a grocery store and hardware store, along with some tourist items. Be prepared to address mechanical issues on your own.

Logistics

• Travel basics: This route is mapped as a one-way ride from Logan to Jackson. The Salt Lake Express has shuttles from the Jackson Hole airport (about 10 miles by bike from downtown) to Logan and other destinations. They do allow bikes as luggage, but passengers must provide at least 24 hours advance notice and it will cost an additional $10.
• If planning on any paid camping sites, reserve in advance.
• If planning to soak in the pools at Maple Grove, make a soak or camping reservation in advance

Dangers & Annoyances

• Bear Safety: much of this route is well-within bear territory. If you see a bear on the route at all, it would almost certainly be a black bear, though there are grizzlies in the alpine areas around Jackson Hole (which you will not enter on this route). Bring bear spray, tie up your food, and be bear aware at all times.
• Much of this route will not have cell service.
• Use caution when on Highway 89 (Star Valley and Snake River Canyon), this road is travelled quickly by car.
• Be friendly with other road users (OHV and standard vehicle).

• Maple grove is a local and personal favorite camp spot. It is more expensive than other options, but includes full access to their hot pools and coffee in the morning.
• There is a significant amount of wild camping until the 150 mile marker. At that point, there are still plenty of options but they may require a reservation, or a slight detour off the route. Prior to that point, there are plenty of options.
• I’d recommend a slight detour for your final night at Grey’s River area (plenty of wild camping), or one of the reservable sites along the Snake River: Little Cottonwood, Wolf Creek, Station Creek, or East Table–all of which will need a reservation to camp there.
• Alpine has a standard mix of hotels, Airbnbs, and other lodging options if needed.
• Egan Basin and Diamond Creek Guard Stations are reservable cabins on the route and would be cool amenities to work into your itinerary.

• Explore the Logan food and drink scenebefore you leave. Le Croissant, Cafe Ibis, Cooks Underground, Le Nonne, Prodigy Brewing, Center Street Pizza, Homerange Brewing, and Jack’s pizza are all favorites.
• Coffee and other light fare is available at Maple Grove Hot Springs if you’re camping there. If you are planning to soak there, be sure and reserve in advance as their walk-in soaking sessions can book up.
• Filterable water is abundant at various marked locations on the map. This still requires plenty of planning, take a look at the map and plan accordingly.
• Fill up a lot of Water in Georgetownas there is roughly 50 miles without map-marked water passing from Diamond Creek into Tincup.
• Once into Star Valley,water and resources become more plentiful.
• Grab a bite to eat and beverage in Alpine at Melvin or one of the other restaurants in the Alpine area. Driftwood Pizza, the Tavern on Grey’s, The Taco Bus, etc.
• Excellent Bagels, Coffee and Bikes at Pearl Street Bagels and Wilson Backcountry Sports if you go the recommended route through Wilson.
• No food options between Maple Grove and Etna (miles 80 to 191) Bring as much as you need to get through that section. I’d recommend getting a snack (if needed) in Etna then finding a full meal in Alpine.
• Food in Jackson: Persephone Bakery, Thai Plate, Million Dollar Cowboy Bar, Snake River Brewing, and a bunch of others. Jackson is very touristy and there will be options of different tastes and price points.
• Sloshies are a boozy take on the teenage favorite “slushy” or “slurpy” that are a staple in the Jackson community.
• Stagecoach Bar in Wilson is great if looking for a less-touristy option with a good local feel

The way I scouted this was as follows. Feel free to speed up the pace or go slower as needed.

• Logan to Stump Hollow or Beaver Creek area
• Stump Hollow or Beaver Creek To Maple Grove Hot Springs
• Maple Grove Hot springs to Diamond Creek Area (plan on about 65 miles for this section)
• Diamond Creek Area to Alpine Wyoming (slight detour to camp in Grey’s River)
• Alpine Wyoming to Jackson through Fall Creek Road and Wilson, Wyoming

If using the above day by day, plan on days one and three being the most intensive.

• The Stump Hollow trail is popular for single track riding, you may bump into fellow bike enthusiasts on this section.
• You could skip the Burnt Fork and Stump Hollow single track options if you don’t want the single track. You would end up descending highway 89 for a few miles (toward logan) to connect back into the mapped route.
• At mile 88.3, there may be an option to stay straight and skip some of the hike-a-bike sections. However, I have not scouted it, the map shows the as-ridden course!
• After mile 226, I prefer to jump off the highway (left hand turn) and take the Fall Creek Road. This avoids some traffic and highway time but adds miles. Feel free to continue on the highway. You’ll be able to access a bike path after the roundabout at Hoback Junction.
• If you are aware of any reasonable ways of eliminating highway time out of this route, please let me know! I scoured over maps, talked w/ locals, and this is what I came up with. There were plenty of private land and wilderness area limitations that gave this the amount of highway time that it has.

From mile 170-226, you will primarily be riding on relatively quiet highways with good shoulders. If you do not need to resupply in Etna and want to maximize non-pavement time, here is a rugged alternative. It is often overgrown, poorly-maintained and you may find that it is not worth the effort, but it will keep you on some backcountry dirt a bit longer. Use your judgment.

Additional Resources

• Campgrounds in Snake River Canyon (Alpine to Jackson)
• Diamond Creek Guard Station
• Egan Basin Guard Station
• Salt Lake Express bus information.