Trail Overview
Arco Pass to Horsethief Spur #6 is a scenic offroad adventure perfect for riders looking to explore the rugged beauty of the Challis National Forest. Spanning approximately 1.6 miles, this short but rewarding route takes travelers deeper into Horsethief Canyon and down into Spur #6, climbing from an elevation of 6,125 feet to a peak of 6,633 feet. The trail wanders through remote backcountry where local wildlife, including elk and mule deer, are frequently spotted grazing against a backdrop of sweeping mountain vistas. The terrain is primarily unpaved dirt, presenting a relatively straightforward drive under normal conditions but requiring high-clearance vehicles or capable off-road rigs.
Rated as an easy, level 2 on the technical scale, the trail is generally accessible, though conditions can deteriorate during the early spring thaw or after intense rainstorms. Heavy runoff can create washouts and erosion, and late-season snowpack may block passage well into the spring. Travelers can access this spur by navigating from South Front Street in Arco, staging either in town or at the beginning of the Arco Pass to Hurst Canyon trail, and continuing past the Iron Creek and Horsethief Spur #5 junctions. The surrounding area offers rich historical significance, having served as ancestral lands for the Shoshone and Blackfoot nations and later as a key trapping ground for early 19th-century fur companies, making this a culturally rich as well as visually spectacular route to explore.
History
The ancestral lands of the Shoshone and Blackfoot nations, this area later became an active region for early 19th-century fur trappers working for the North West Company and Hudson's Bay Company. Heavy trapping between 1830 and 1832 severely depleted the local beaver population, leading companies to abandon operations here. Today, the nearby Lost River Valley from Arco to Mackay retains a deep mining history, which is preserved and displayed at the museum in Mackay.
