Trail Overview
BLM Trail 139 continues off the east end of Sagehen Flat Road and works its way back west, offering a scenic alternative route—though at the time of running it, it doesn’t fully reconnect due to a closed gate near the west end. If you start from the east side, you’ll begin with a short but moderately steep climb that quickly rewards you with nearly 360-degree views of the surrounding mountains and the Salmon Valley. From there, the trail follows rolling hilltops and transitions into a mostly steady descent heading back toward Salmon.
The trail is one vehicle wide but has plenty of spots to pass oncoming traffic. It’s primarily dirt with a few short rocky sections (nothing over about 6 inches) and some occasional light off-camber areas. There are a few spots where the route can be a bit tricky to follow—just stick near the fence line and you’ll stay on track. You’ll also come to a somewhat confusing intersection where you’ll need to go through a gate, pass the BLM 140 sign, and stay left along the fence to remain on 139. Shortly after this intersection is a climb up a hill side where the off camber becomes a little bit more than other trails in this area, so take your time through this section. Overall, it’s a smooth, scenic trail with great views the whole way.
Difficulty
This trail is rated at its difficulty due to a moderately steep initial climb, a long steady descent, and a few light off-camber sections and the slightly above average off camber hill climb for this area. Minor rocky areas and occasional route-finding challenges—especially around intersections and open sections—add some complexity. While not very technical, these factors bring this trail rating to a three.
