Slate Mountain/Gibson Jack Trail
Pocatello, Idaho
| Address: | Gibson Jack Trailhead, 9812 Gibson Jack Rd, Pocatello, ID 83204, USA |
| GPS: |
42°47'34.3"N 112°25'53.1"W Maps | Directions |
| State: | Idaho |
| Trail Length: | 14.00 miles |
| MTB Difficulty: | Intermediate |
| Trail Type: | Loop |
| Hike Difficulty: | Beginner |
Hike, Horseback, and Mountain Bike
The Gibson Jack trail offers great views of Southeastern Idaho and a favorite trail among moutain bikers. This trail is a continuation of the West Fork Mink Creek trail and takes travelers further into the mountain area. Along the way, there will be plenty of Aspen, pines, junipers, and sage brush which will offer some nice shade. There are a few meadows that can make a nice spot to stop for a rest and take in the nature.
If riding the monuntian bike trail, this route can be taken either clockwise or counter-clockwise. The more popular route is to follow the it in the clockwise direction. There are a few forks in the trail, the first comes at mile 3, and its best to stay to the left as the right trail ends up being very rocky and becoming a hike-your-bike trail. The next fork is at mile 5 and going to the right will follow the Slate Cut-off trail. This portion of the trail is downhill and very steep. Be careful as this portion ends up in a creek at the bottom, which can sink a tire pretty quickly if the rider is not prepared.
Overall the trail can be overgrown, which makes spotting rocks a little difficult. There are some creeks along the trail that may or may not need to be crossed over. This trail is beautiful in the fall because of all the leaves changing colors and the cooler temperatures.
More Information
Slate Mountain/Gibson Jack Loop Mountain Bike Trail, Pocatello, Idaho
A scenic loop just outside of Pocatello Near Pocatello, Idaho.
https://www.mtbproject.com/trail/5741266/slate-mountaingibson-jack-loopNever modify trail features. Ride trails when they're dry enough that you won't leave ruts. Speak up when you see others on the trail and always yield to hikers, horses, and others coming uphill. Always ride on the established trail.
Read MoreBe courteous, informed, and prepared. Read trailhead guidelines, stay on the trail, and don't feed the wildlife.
Read More
- Plan Ahead and Prepare
- Travel & camp on durable surfaces
- Dispose of waste properly
- Leave what you find
- Minimize campfire impacts
- Respect wildlife
- Be considerate of other visitors
Directions
From Pocatello, Idaho
- Head southeast on N 7th Ave toward E Wyeth St (0.2 mi)
- Turn right onto E Clark St (0.2 mi)
- Turn left onto N 4th Ave (0.3 mi)
- Turn right onto E Benton St (171 ft)
- Continue straight to stay on E Benton St (0.4 mi)
- Turn left onto S Arthur Ave (0.3 mi)
- Continue onto W Putnam St (0.1 mi)
- Continue onto S Main St (1.3 mi)
- Continue onto Bannock Hwy (2.6 mi)
- Turn right onto W Gibson Jack Rd (2.1 mi)
Other Mountain Bike Trails, Hiking Trails, and Horseback Trails Nearby
Gibson Jack/west Fork
Pocatello, Idaho
1.2 miles SWA 1,500-foot climb on mixed singletrack and doubletrack with fantastic scenery, finishing with a fast singletrack descent on Gibson Jack — better than it sounds, much better.
Mountain Bike 3.2 mi
Kinney Creek Trail
Pocatello, Idaho
2.8 miles SEA 6.4-mile out-and-back to Indian Mountain Summit in Caribou-Targhee National Forest near Pocatello, with Idaho backcountry views and exceptional birdwatching — raptors, waterfowl, and songbirds.
Hike
Cherry Springs
Pocatello, Idaho
3.4 miles SEThick green vegetation, abundant birds, and wildlife viewing along a picnic-table-lined trail just a short distance from Pocatello, Idaho — a peaceful nature escape close to town.
Hike
Slate Mountain Trail
Pocatello, Idaho
4.3 miles SA multi-use trail in Pocatello open year-round to mountain bikers, hikers, cross-country skiers, snowshoers, and horseback riders — a versatile all-season destination.
Mountain Bike 0.2-9.7 mi
City Creek
Pocatello, Idaho
4.3 miles NPocatello's city-maintained trail network packs over six miles of singletrack into City Creek Canyon, with everything from casual loops to a downhill-only expert run.
Hike, Horseback, Mountain Bike
Valve House Draw
Pocatello, Idaho
4.8 miles SA motorized doubletrack trail in Pocatello that climbs through forest to the top before a 2-mile stretch of very sweet downhill singletrack — short but worth the 10-mile loop.
Cross-country Ski, Hike, Horseback, Mountain Bike
West Fork Mink Creek Trail
Pocatello, Idaho
4.9 miles SA 3.5-mile shaded singletrack trail near Pocatello popular with hikers, horseback riders, and mountain bikers, climbing gradually to Elk Meadows Road with connections to further trails beyond.
Hike, Horseback, Mountain Bike
Cave Trail
Pocatello, Idaho
5.6 miles NMountain Bike near Pocatello, Idaho
Mountain Bike
South Fork Of Mink Creek Trail
Pocatello, Idaho
5.9 miles SThe South Fork of Mink Creek Trail is a quiet, four-season route in the Mink Creek drainage of the Caribou-Targhee National Forest, tucked into the Scout Mountain country roughly twelve miles south...
Cross-country Ski, Hike, Mountain Bike, Snowshoe
East Fork Mink Creek Trail
Pocatello, Idaho
5.9 miles SAn early-season cross-country skiing destination near Pocatello on the East Fork Road leading to Justise Park — access depends on seasonal gate closures and snowpack conditions.
Cross-country Ski, Hike, Horseback, Mountain Bike
East Fork Crestline
Pocatello, Idaho
6.9 miles SEA strenuous 6.2-mile climb with 2,200 feet of gain followed by a quick downhill from Scout Mountain to the trailhead — a solid workout combining singletrack and ATV trail.
Mountain Bike
Driveway Canyon Trail
Inkom, Idaho
7.8 miles EA motorcycle-converted singletrack trail in Driveway Canyon near Inkom, Idaho — multi-use with forest service origins.
Mountain Bike
Scout Mountain Campground
Pocatello, Idaho
7.8 miles SEA scenic campground at 6,900 feet on beautiful Scout Mountain, 13 miles south of Pocatello, with birding, wildlife viewing, and a variety of multi-use trails nearby.
Camp, Hike
Garden Creek Gap
McCammon, Idaho
16.3 miles SA sandstone rock climbing area in a scenic mountain gap west of I-15, with great Class 3-4 scrambling and some of the best technical routes in the Pocatello area.
Cross-country Ski, Hike, Horseback, Rock Climb
Sportsman's Park American Falls Reservoir
Aberdeen, Idaho
20.6 miles NWA 30-acre multi-use park on the American Falls Reservoir with two boat ramps, picnic shelters, RV hookups, playgrounds, volleyball courts, and a 1.1-mile paved trail along the reservoir rim.
Camp, Canoe, Hike
Blackfoot, ID 83221, United States
Blackfoot, Idaho
27.8 miles NHike and Mountain Bike near Blackfoot, Idaho
Hike, Mountain Bike
Hell's Half Acre Northbound Rest Stop
Blackfoot, Idaho
36.2 miles NA well-kept I-15 rest area near Blackfoot features lava-flow interpretive signs, walking paths, picnic tables, and vending machines — a worthwhile stop on any road trip.
Hike
Hell's Half Acre Southbound Rest Stop
Blackfoot, Idaho
36.3 miles NA well-maintained Interstate 15 rest stop on a lava flow area with a great walking path, informational signs about the formations and wildlife, picnic tables, and vending machines.
Hike
Firth River Bottoms
Firth, Idaho
37.5 miles NA community riverside park in Firth with horseback riding, picnicking, fishing, and baseball — something for the whole family along the river bottoms.
Camp, Canoe, Hike 0.1 mi
40 Horse Cave
Firth, Idaho
41.6 miles NEA short, steep scramble near Firth to a roomy hillside cave — big enough, legend says, to hide 40 horses.
Cave, HikeNearby Campsites
Scout Mountain Campground
Pocatello, Idaho
7.8 miles SEA scenic campground at 6,900 feet on beautiful Scout Mountain, 13 miles south of Pocatello, with birding, wildlife viewing, and a variety of multi-use trails nearby.
Camp, Hike
Hawkins Reservoir Campground
Arimo, Idaho
20.0 miles SFourteen campsites on a small Idaho impoundment that punches above its weight — spring through fall, plovers, sandpipers, geese, sharp-tailed grouse, mule deer, coyote, and red fox all call it home.
Camp, Canoe
Sportsman's Park American Falls Reservoir
Aberdeen, Idaho
20.6 miles NWA 30-acre multi-use park on the American Falls Reservoir with two boat ramps, picnic shelters, RV hookups, playgrounds, volleyball courts, and a 1.1-mile paved trail along the reservoir rim.
Camp, Canoe, Hike
Pipeline Campground
American Falls, Idaho
24.1 miles WFive campsites on the Snake River near American Falls Reservoir — fishing for trophy brown and rainbow trout, with 30-plus species of migratory shorebirds and winter bald eagles overhead.
Camp
Downata Hot Springs
Downey, Idaho
33.1 miles SEA full-service hot springs resort south of Pocatello with a large naturally heated pool, four water slides, a water playground, hot tub, volleyball, six cabins, yurts, and ATV trails nearby.
Camp, Hot Springs, Swim
Blackfoot River Crossing at Trail Creek Road
Firth, Idaho
35.1 miles NEA remote Blackfoot River crossing accessed via a network of gravel roads near Firth, Idaho — multiple parking areas along a wildlife management area stretch of the river.
Camp
Firth River Bottoms
Firth, Idaho
37.5 miles NA community riverside park in Firth with horseback riding, picnicking, fishing, and baseball — something for the whole family along the river bottoms.
Camp, Canoe, Hike
Sublett Creek Campground
Malta, Idaho
44.5 miles SWNine campsites at 5,500 feet on Sublett Creek, two miles from Sublett Reservoir, with horse facilities, a boat ramp, and trails into the Sublette Range for hiking and riding.
Camp, Canoe
Sealander Park
Idaho Falls, Idaho
46.6 miles NA peaceful 15-acre park steeped in Idaho homesteader history — listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Sealander Park is available to reserve for picnics, reunions, weddings, and retreats.
Camp
