Trail Overview

This foothill climb is fun for beginners and anyone looking to bypass riding the river road to get to more flowy double and single track. The trail is more or less a two-stage climb; the first stage is switchbacks, and the second stage is rocks and ledges. Leading up to the first switchbacks is a nice ascending track with some jumps/bumps, curves, and some rocky sections. There are a few blind hairpin corners to be mindful of. The views of the Snake River Plain and the South Fork of the Snake River are very pretty, especially in the early spring/early summer. There are a lot of blooming wildflowers in the late spring/early summer that make this a very fun trip. There are no springs, so it is a mystery as to why the trail is named stinking springs.

Photos of Stinking Springs

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Difficulty

The west side of this trail is fairly easy with some switchbacks and some steps that will force you to choose a good line. The back side (east side) of Kelly Mountain is very rocky with lots of shale and steep descents. If you are looking to avoid looser rock or are riding with a novice, turn around at this point when you summit and start riding along the fence line.

History

This is usually the 1st single track accessible in Eastern Idaho.

Technical Rating

Robert M

Aug 27, 2025

Open

It had rained this day, and was on/off sprinkles while riding. Trail was a tad muddy with puddles in places, but was fantastic for traction and ZERO dust.

Harrison Sanders

Jul 19, 2025

Open

Fair easy with a few technical spots. There is a dedicated ramp at the beginning of the trail closest to Heise hot springs. Great intermediate trail.

brooks peterson

Jul 19, 2025

Open

The trail was easy until you started down and hit the downhill rock slide you couldn’t ride you had to walk the bike down. You could have taken an illegal trail to make it easier

Shane Major

Jun 08, 2025

Open

Cattle crossing, dusty but overall a great ride

Stephen Jensen

Oct 22, 2024

Open

I ran it west to east, definitely not a blue rated road. After the first 5-10 minutes of nice banked flowing trail there are steep switchbacks with short rock ledges and loose rock. Once you reach the summit and continue on it gets very steep for about 700-800 yards of shale, loose rock, ledges etc.

Mike Barry

Oct 20, 2024

Open

If you are going West to East, be on the lookout for a split in the trail right before the steep loose rock downhill section. Take the trail on the left and you’ll have a much more enjoyable time down. OnX shows it as non motorized but I saw no signage and lots of evidence of long term motorized use.

Jim Byington

Sep 21, 2024

Open

Francisco Ocampo

Aug 25, 2024

Open

Carter Rarick

Jun 15, 2024

Open

Really fun trail! The rocks toward the top are pretty intense to go over and we almost biffed it a couple times. Be careful on your way down from the top!

Daniel Larson

Jun 19, 2023

Open

Carson Lilya

Jun 01, 2023

Open

Brody Eaton

Apr 22, 2023

Open

Jay L.

Mar 27, 2023

Open