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The Gold Fork Cross Country Ski Trail is located about 70 miles Northeast of Boise, Idaho, off of highway 21. This trail head is part of the Idaho Park-n-Ski trail system, which requires a trail permit, which can be purchased at most sporting goods stores. The permit pays for trail grooming. The Gold Fork 5-mile loop of moderate difficulty is usually groomed for Skate-skiing. No dogs, but dogs are allowed at the whoop-em-up ski area just to the South. Across the highway, the Summit/Skyline trails can be used to access an extensive trail system from Banner Ridge to the north to Whoop-em-up to the South.
The eight mile Elkhorn loop at Banner Ridge makes a pleasant day of skiing. Note that when the trail is icy the Northwest leg of the loop climbing to the summit from the trailhead can be a frightening downhill for beginning cross country skiers! The rest of the loop is fairly easy. The north edge of the loop touches the rim of the canyon of the South Fork of the Payette river, providing a spectacular view of the Lowman Area.
Northeast of Idaho City, just past mile marker 44 on Idaho State Highway 21, this gated forest service road gently winds up the east side of the valley in the Boulder Creek drainage and eventually joins the Rabbit creek summit, or so I've been told. This trail was logged by a mountain bike, but the trail is also used by hikers, horseback riders, elk, deer, and bears. No parking available in winter.