Trails connects park headquarters to ghost town

CHALLIS — The Lombard Trail, a trail dedicated to Idaho Parks & Recreation board member Ernest Lombard, is an ATV trail that connects the Land of the Yankee Fork State Park headquarters in Challis to the mining ghost town of Bayhorse.

Trip distance is about 13.5 miles one-way and takes about an hour and a half and is suitable for all abilities. From the Land of the Yankee Fork State Park at the junction of U.S. 93 and Idaho Highway 75 the Lombard Trail start in front of the visitor center and heads toward Blue Mountain.

The first couple of miles are on a fairly steep descent then a steep uphill climb. Otherwise, the trail gradient is moderate. The views of the Challis area and surrounding mountains become more impressive as you gain elevation. After the first saddle at Blue Mountain, the trail follows a number of ridgelines to Keystone Gulch.

The route includes access to Bayhorse Trail in the historic mining area as well as many other trails where motor and pedal bikes can explore the more than 150 miles of ATV and single-track trails accessed from Bayhorse or the Custer Motorway.

Along the way the trail provides outstanding views of the Lost River Range, the Salmon River Basin, and skirts an area of critical environmental concern managed for bighorn sheep habitat. Interpretive signs are placed along the trail providing users with an opportunity to learn about the geology of the area as well as information about bighorn sheep and how to minimize trail-related impacts affecting the sheep and their habitat.

For more information go to: http://www.blm.gov/id/st/en/info/newsroom/2012/june/blm_challis_field.html