more stats
2.9 miles
Distance
72 ft
Climb
-689 ft
Descent
00:22:32
Avg time
-619 ft
Altitude change
7,614 ft
Altitude min
8,257 ft
Altitude max
8,233 ft
Altitude start
7,615 ft
Altitude end
-4.1%
Grade
-38.1%
Grade max
11.6%
Grade min
2,428 ft
Distance climb
2 miles
Distance down
919 ft
Distance flat
00:22:32
Avg time

The Grinder (Ext) Details

  • Activities
    • Mountain Bike
    • Gravel Bike
    • Adaptive Bike
    • Winter Fat Bike
    • Hike
    • Trail Running
  • Riding Area
    Galena Lodge
    Ketchum, Idaho
  • Difficulty Rating
    Black Diamond Rate
  • Voted Difficulty
    Blue (1 vote)
  • Local Popularity
    65 in Mountain Biking heatmap [+]
    • 5 in Trail Running
    • 5 in Hiking
    • 5 in Winter Fat Biking
    • 5 in Adaptive Biking
    • 5 in Gravel Biking
  • Global Ranking
    #94050 in Mountain Biking [+]
    • #350845 in Trail Running
    • #338882 in Hiking
    • #10370 in Winter Fat Biking
    • #4677 in Adaptive Biking
    • #16909 in Gravel Biking
  • State Ranking
    #821 in Mountain Biking · Idaho [+]
    • #2,709 in Trail Running
    • #2,825 in Hiking
    • #79 in Winter Fat Biking
    • #74 in Adaptive Biking
    • #153 in Gravel Biking
  • Hiking SAC Scale
    T2 Mountain Hiking
  • Trail Type
    Singletrack
  • Bike Type
    AM, XC, Fat, Adaptive MTB, CX, Gravel
  • Direction
    Both Directions[+]
    Popular Direction Shown
    • Both Directions for Gravel Biking
  • Climb Difficulty
    Black Diamond
  • Physical Rating
    Moderate
  • Trail Visibility
    Always easy to follow
  • Season
    June 26-Oct
  • Dogs Allowed
    Yes
  • eBike Allowed
    No
  • TTFs on Trail
    Berm, Jump, Gap Jump
  • Land Owner
    USFS

This portion of the Grinder is machine-built with berms, jumps, and rollers. It is commonly ridden in conjunction with Spring Creek trail. It is recommended that bikers climb Horsefly Hill to access this trail. It is best ridden north to south.

Like all of the singletrack trails at Galena, the Grinder Trail is open to two-way traffic and shared use by hikers, horseback riders, runners, and bicyclists. Watch for and yield to others - on this and all trails. All Galena singletrack trails are closed to E-Bikes.

Access Info

Access from Horsefly Hill, The Grinder, Spring Creek

Disclaimer

The USFS has implemented the Big Wood Travel Plan which includes decommissioning many old mining roads in the area.

Adaptive Bike Info
aMTB Blue Rating: Intermediate features and steeper terrain.

This section of the Grinder is machine-built meaning it will have wider tread than the old school Grinder. However, some sections may be off camber and contain obstacles.

Tags
BermsJumpsMachine-builtRollers

Trail Supporters

Local Trail Association

Traditionally Indigenous Territory

Recent Activity on Trail

Past Week
  • 0 rides
  •  
6 Months
  • 18 rides
  • 30 miles avg distance
All
  • 82 rides
  • Last: Oct 14, 2026
update trails status or condition

The Grinder (Ext) Trail Reports

statusdatedescription
Oct 30, 2025 @ 2:15pm (America/Boise)
Oct 30, 2025
 Snow covered and will not melt out until spring.
Jul 28, 2025 @ 7:34am
Jul 28, 2025
Jul 5, 2025 @ 10:55pm
Jul 5, 2025
 Two big trees blocking the trail, one large about 1’ across the other one very large 3’ across that will require a sizable chainsaw. 43.88410,...
Nov 18, 2024 @ 3:18pm
Nov 18, 2024
 Snow covered and will not melt out until spring.
Aug 5, 2024 @ 3:30am
Aug 5, 2024
more »
Status:
on Oct 30, 2025
Snow Covered
Avg: 3.88 (3 votes)
Your vote: 0

view (292)
close
      Directions to the-grinder-ext trailhead (43.888470, -114.634220)
      View on Discover Map 3D Tour

      Photos

      1 more »
      mtb
      130 |
      Apr 24, 2020 @ 11:14pm
      Apr 24, 2020

      Videos

      1 more »
      If Heaven Has Flow Trails! Mountain Biking...
      mtb
      30:44 | 518 | Aug 9, 2020 , Ketchum

      Routes with this trail

      more »
      464
      Idaho Gem
      ★ 3.8 • 257 miles • 38,781 ft • 44 •
      The Idaho Gem is a beauty of a bikepacking route traveling through four different mountain ranges in...
      3
      Dewey's Descent to Spring Creek Loop
      12 miles • 1,647 ft • 3 • Loop •
      This route is a less popular way to ride Spring Creek. It starts by riding up FSR 200 before the brutal...
      15
      Old 25 Mile Galena Grinder Course
      25 miles • 2,852 ft • 3 • Loop • Race •
      **This route is roughly 3700 ft elevation gain** This is no easy ride! Welcome to the Grinder. This route...
      3.7 ★★★★★
      3 Ratings
      5 ★
      4 ★ 67%
      3 ★ 33%
      2 ★
      1 ★

      2 Reviews & Comments

      kite-rider
      Super fun trail! A nice surprise with logical berms and some air time.
      Maximizer89
      Love Galena, love this trail. Needs a little love here and there and a few laps to nail the blind doubles. Real fast in parts and a slog to the top. ‘The way mountain biking should be!’

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      Nearby Trails

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      Frequently Asked Questions

      ▼ Where is The Grinder (Ext) located?
      The Grinder (Ext) is located in Galena Lodge, Ketchum, Idaho, United States. It is part of the Galena Lodge trail network. The trailhead is located at coordinates 43.88847, -114.63422.
      ▼ How hard is The Grinder (Ext)?
      The Grinder (Ext) is rated as Black Diamond difficulty. The physical rating is Moderate. The average grade is 4.1%. The climb difficulty is rated Black Diamond.
      ▼ What is the elevation gain for The Grinder (Ext)?
      The Grinder (Ext) has 72 ft of elevation gain. The trail has 689 ft of elevation descent. The elevation ranges from 7,614 ft to 8,257 ft.
      ▼ Is The Grinder (Ext) a point to point trail?
      The Grinder (Ext) is not a point to point trail. The direction is Both Directions. The trail type is singletrack.
      ▼ How long is The Grinder (Ext)?
      The Grinder (Ext) is 2.9 miles long. The trail type is singletrack.
      ▼ Are dogs allowed on The Grinder (Ext)?
      Yes, dogs are allowed on The Grinder (Ext). Please keep dogs on a leash where required and clean up after them.
      ▼ When is the best time of year to ride The Grinder (Ext)?
      The Grinder (Ext) is best visited during: June 26-Oct.
      ▼ How do I access The Grinder (Ext)? Where is the closest parking trailhead?
      The closest parking and trailhead locations to The Grinder (Ext) are: View all parking locations in the area.
      ▼ How long does it take to ride The Grinder (Ext)?
      Based on recorded activities, it takes an average of 23 minutes to ride The Grinder (Ext). The trail is 2.9 miles long. Actual times will vary based on fitness level, conditions, and pace. View recent activity logs for more details.
      ▼ How busy is The Grinder (Ext)?
      The Grinder (Ext) is a moderately popular trail. There have been 281 recorded activities on this trail. The trail has received 292 check-ins. View recent activity on this trail.

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