20,000 Milestone: Malad and Arbon Valleys, Idaho

[SpudRider]

In the last week of October 2009, my Zong reached 20,000 miles on the odometer; I was taking one of my favorite rides into the Malad Valley, and the mountains northwest of Malad, Idaho.

Entering the Malad Valley from the north, you ride gravel roads that follow one route of the famous Oregon Trail. Hudspeth’s Cutoff was an alternate route used from 1849-1859, and it was particularly popular with those travelers who were heading south to California.



Traveling south, the Malad Valley opens up with beautiful views of the Daniels Reservoir, and the mountain ranges to the east and west. Riding farther south, a number of trails lead west, into the mountains. On this day I choose to ride west into John Evans Canyon. Reaching the top of the mountains I was rewarded with a panoramic view of the Arbon Valley, to the west.







Continuing farther south, I visited several other summits. I paused to take a few pictures at the last summit, before I began my descent.



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Descending into the valley, the mountain trail becomes a gravel road, which still provides beautiful views to the south.



Reaching the bottom of the mountain, I took the paved road west, from Malad to Holbrook. I paused to take a photograph as my odometer reached 20,000 miles.



Traveling north, up the Arbon Valley, the setting sun brought colder temperatures. Content with another beautiful ride in Idaho’s mountains, I paused for one last, chilly photograph, before I headed home.



Spud