Trail Overview
This beginner-friendly scenic route is ideal for offroaders seeking stunning high-elevation views of Idaho's Lost River Range while connecting through the historic Mackay Mine Hill trail network. Starting from Chimney Gulch and winding through to the Tuscarora Gulch Trail, the route is also known as Cliff Creek Road and offers a moderately easy high-clearance adventure. The unpaved path climbs through forested sections where elk and deer are frequently spotted grazing. Because of its location in the mountains, early season travelers will likely encounter lingering snow drifts and muddy sections, particularly where the trees block the sun.
With a low technical rating, the trail is accessible to most high-clearance 4WD vehicles, UTVs, and SxSs, making it a great addition to a day of exploring the area's rich mining history. Runoff from spring snowmelt can cause minor erosion and ruts along the path, but the trail remains highly manageable under normal conditions. Navigating this loop provides a seamless connection to other regional tracks like the Mackay Mine Hill Tour and the Chimney Gulch to Mammoth Canyon trail. Adventurers should plan their trip for late summer or early fall to ensure completely clear trails and optimal traction on the dirt surface.
Difficulty
These roads will experience erosion during high runoff, but generally they're easy to travel. If you're there too early in the spring, you will encounter snow and/or mud in some of the forests.
History
Hiding in the shadows of Mt. Borah, Idaho's highest mountain peak (12,662 ft.), and the rest of the towering Lost River Range, this old mining town is often called the "Top of Idaho" for good reason. Mackay is named after John W. Mackay, the Nevada mining engineer who funded the mines located below Mackay Peak near what is now the ghost town of White Knob. Early settlers had already begun inhabiting the valley between the Lost River Range and the White Knob Mountains in the late 1800s, and by 1900 the settlement along the Big Lost River was booming. People came in droves to make their fortunes in "Copper City," as the community was being called. But it wasn't until 1901 that the new town was founded and named Mackay. There is a wonderful museum in Mackay.
