Idaho · Mountain biking

John Henry

2.1 mi
round trip
1,195 ft
climb
Singletrack
surface
Out and back
route
May–Jun, Aug–Oct
best months

John Henry is a mountain biking route on Bureau of Land Management land within the Challis Field Office in central Idaho, about 2 miles from the town of Challis. The trip is an out-and-back, roughly 4 miles long, with a one-way elevation gain of about 760 feet. The route reaches a high point of about 6,637 feet, and the steepest part comes near the start, with a grade of about 17 percent at about half a mile. Summer is the most comfortable time to ride. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Challis show July highs around 87°F with lows near 52°F, while winter highs stay in the upper 20s. That station sits well below the route, so expect temperatures up high to run cooler. Several other trails start close by, including Mahogany and Shark's Tooth for mountain biking and Valley and Skull Valley for hiking, all within about a tenth of a mile.

Local outfitters

Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.

  • Best time to go · May–Jun, Aug–Oct

    Best time to visit John Henry

    Best months: May–June and August–October. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      29° / 11°

      7 wet

    2. Feb

      37° / 17°

      5 wet

    3. Mar

      49° / 25°

      7 wet

    4. Apr

      57° / 31°

      7 wet

    5. May

      67° / 40°

      9 wet

    6. Jun

      75° / 46°

      7 wet

    7. Jul

      87° / 52°

      5 wet

    8. Aug

      85° / 50°

      5 wet

    9. Sep

      74° / 42°

      5 wet

    10. Oct

      59° / 32°

      5 wet

    11. Nov

      40° / 21°

      6 wet

    12. Dec

      29° / 11°

      7 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Challis Ap, ID, 3 mi away at 5,033 ft. The station sits about 1,600 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Map and trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors