Weiser River Ride By: Terry and Heidi Young
We rode the Weiser River’s abandoned railroad bed trail a few times last fall and this spring. The Friends of the Weiser River Trail (FWRT) have a website www.weiserrivertrail.org with some basic maps and information – but here is some more specific information for planning your trip.
1. The railroad bed is sharp gravel in most sections so shoes or boots are recommended if you’re doing more than a few miles.
2. Water and grazing grass is easy to find.
3. Porta-potties are available at the many of the main parking locations like Midvale, Cambridge and Council.
(Note: the towns referred to in this report are located along U.S. Highway 95 in west-central Idaho. Weiser is approximately 70 miles northwest of Boise, Idaho. Tamarack, at the north end of the trail, is about 18 miles west of McCall, Idaho.)
Weiser area:
The southern-most section of the trail is just east of Weiser. The first few miles the trail are along cattle feedlots and hay fields – not along the river. A better place to start and park is just past the Galloway Dam near Presley bridge, about 10 miles from town.
Presley Bridge - heading north:
From the center of Weiser: go east on Park Street (becomes Weiser River Road) for 6 miles. At the Unity Road fork, turn left and continue for 3 miles. The trail will parallel the road most of the way. The pavement ends at the Galloway dam but go another mile and when the road curves left, park next to the trail and a large meadow on the right. (Watch for old wire and railroad parts in this meadow.) From here, it’s a 20-mile remote ride up to Midvale. We havn’t ridden this section yet.
Midvale:
The town of Midvale has trail access right in the middle of town, next to the main highway (U.S. Hwy 95). This section of trail is very easy with only a few planked bridges to cross. It runs along, but below the highway; alongside farms and even has decent cell coverage. If you rode north from here, its 9 miles up to Cambridge.
Cambridge to Council - scenic section heading north through Goodrich:
The Cambridge trail access is a short block north of the 90 degree turn in town and right next to the fairgrounds. There is a trail kiosk, a porta-potty and car parking. But go just past the kiosk and you can park next to the trail in a very long and very wide area.
This 18-mile section begins along farms but becomes isolated several miles out. There’s quite a bit of variety in surrounding terrain and it rejoins civilization just outside of Council.
Its better to park a vehicle or trailer just south of Council at a small pull-off on the west side of the highway, right next to the trail. The last few miles into Council are along the highway and not worth riding. The parking spot is just after the descent from Mesa Siding. Look for the Council/Adams County Rod and Gun Club sign on the right as the trail curves back to the highway from the left.
Council to Evergreen campground - heading south through scenic forest:
This 15-mile section of the trail has some elevation changes so its better to start at the northern point and ride south - but its not absolutely necessary. It includes forest, farm country and remote trail. Consider parking a car or trailer a few miles north of Council. The “Y” intersection of the highway and the Fruitvale-Glendale road has enough room.
The Evergreen campground is closed for renovation during 2006 but there is just enough room to turn a 2-horse bumper-pull trailer around. If you need more room, continue up the highway a few miles to a café on the left to turnaround and head back to the campground.
The trail access is just beyond and above the last campsite in the campground. You’ll start a slow descent through the forest and cross many planked bridges. If your horse hasn’t liked them so far, they’ll be fine by the end of this ride. Several miles after the very small town of Fruitvale, the trail will parallel the Fruitvale-Glendale road and you can simply hop over to the road and your trailer at various openings in the hedgerow.
Tamarack:
The northern-most section of the trail is at a huge “Y” the railroad built for turning around and is just north of the Tamarack lumber mill. There’s plenty of parking there and you can ride south (and downhill) to the Evergreen campground through forests. The FWRT are currently working on extending the trail from the “Y” northward to New Meadows.
Overnight camping:
You can overnight at the very friendly Adams County fairgrounds just north of Council by talking to Gordon Keitch at the Administration building next to the post office. Way in the back of the fairgrounds are many pipe corrals and a huge fenced meadow. Another choice is the Cambridge rodeo grounds, next to the fairgrounds. The Cambridge Chamber of Commerce told us that they allow visitors to park overnight in the large pasture behind the rodeo grounds.