South Fork Ross Fork - FS 7227

South Fork Ross Fork (FS 7227) climbs 6.9 miles through the Sawtooth National Forest, roughly an hour north of Ketchum, Idaho. The trail begins at the end of FS 7888 (Johnson Creek Jeep Trail) and heads south toward a saddle below Ross Peak. Elevation gain is steady from about 6,500 to 9,100 feet, with the final stretch tightening into steeper switchbacks. The singletrack starts on hard-packed dirt with scattered roots and baseball-sized rocks, becoming rougher as you ascend. Riders encounter a few small creek crossings, several narrow sidehill sections with embedded rock, and spots of notable exposure. The lower half weaves through dense pine before breaking out into open sagebrush hillsides. Higher up, the terrain shifts again, funneling through loose rock and boulders up to football size. Near the top, the trail cuts directly through a boulder field before reaching a broad saddle with striking 360-degree views of the surrounding peaks and valleys.