Description

This is a nicely varied ride on the side of Lucky Peak, featuring a stout climb and a bomber downhill.

It makes a loop if you link with the road or Boise greenbelt between the two trailheads. Begin on Homestead trail, which climbs steeply as a dirt doubletrack.

It goes past some old farm sites and orchards as it winds through narrow gullies in the hills.

The grade is fairly steady but has steeper punches here and there. When Homestead hits Lucky Peak #8, turn right and enjoy some downhill on this 4WD road.

The climbing isn't over, though.

You'll cross a creek and then take an uphill traverse for about one mile.

The turn for Cobb trail comes at an obvious intersection on a ridge. From there the downhill starts right away, on sandy single track with a sprinkling of natural gravel.

It soon gets steeper, and crumbly slabs make the most technical sections, especially with the addition of ruts in some places.

It can be a super fast descent with proper handling, but you'll need to watch for hikers coming up.

Luckily the visibility is good on these open sagebrush slopes. At the bottom of Cobb there's one short climb to connect with Highland Valley trail, then you'll ride this wide path out to its trailhead.

From there, connect to the greenbelt as mapped or stick with the road to get back through the neighborhoods to Homestead trailhead.