Idaho · Mountain biking

Polar Express

0.5 mi
round trip
67 ft
climb
Singletrack
surface
Out and back
route
May–Sep
best months

Is Polar Express open right now?

Alert in the area

The Forest Service lists 5 alerts for Payette National Forest.

As of · Source: USFS · Payette National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Polar Express is a short, easy mountain biking ride in Idaho's Payette National Forest, within the McCall Ranger District. The Forest Service manages the land, and the route is about 0.9 miles long, with a total elevation gain of 67 feet. It is an out-and-back, and the high point is about 5475 feet, roughly 10 feet above the start. The climb is steady, with the steepest stretch at about 0.16 miles in, where the grade reaches 4 percent. The route is close to the Baby Bear hike and the Baby Bear Trail, both within a third of a mile. Dogs are allowed. Summer is the most comfortable time to ride. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in McCall show July and August highs around 81°F with only about five wet days a month, while winter brings highs near 30°F and regular snow days. Nearby options include the Last Chance campground about 4 miles away, Goose Creek for paddling at about 5.4 miles, and the McCall Area climbing area at about 6.2 miles.

Local outfitters

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

  • Best time to go · May–Sep

    Best time to visit Polar Express

    Best months: May–September. 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

      31° / 13°

      14 wet · 11 snow

    2. Feb

      36° / 14°

      12 wet · 9 snow

    3. Mar

      43° / 20°

      13 wet · 7 snow

    4. Apr

      51° / 27°

      12 wet · 3 snow

    5. May

      61° / 35°

      12 wet · 1 snow

    6. Jun

      70° / 40°

      10 wet

    7. Jul

      81° / 45°

      5 wet

    8. Aug

      81° / 43°

      5 wet

    9. Sep

      72° / 36°

      6 wet

    10. Oct

      57° / 28°

      9 wet · 2 snow

    11. Nov

      40° / 21°

      13 wet · 7 snow

    12. Dec

      30° / 13°

      15 wet · 12 snow

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Mccall, ID, 4 mi away at 5,025 ft. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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