North Fork Ross Fork - FS 7226

North Fork Ross Fork (FS 7226) drops 5.5 miles through the Sawtooth National Forest, about an hour north of Ketchum, Idaho. The route begins at the FS 70205 parking area near Alturas Lake and steadily loses roughly 2,000 feet as it contours along the side of a long valley before meeting Johnson Creek. The route is mostly firm dirt but breaks into pockets of loose rock, scattered boulders, and short eroded stretches. The trail is notably narrow for much of the descent, with several exposed sidehill sections that demand precision. It starts in tight timber with a few switchbacks, then gradually opens into meadow-like terrain while remaining surprisingly constricted. Near the end, the singletrack funnels back into the woods and stays narrow all the way to the junction.