6.6 miles
Hillbender to Nemo Loop-Southern Valley Trails
Teton Valley
Fee: $0.00 - donations appreciated
Access:
Located 4 miles east of Victor, ID, off ID Hwy 33 (west of Teton Pass, the ID Hwy continuation of WY Hwy 22).
Description:
The Hillbender to Nemo Loop trail is a versatile route suitable for fat biking, popular summer mountain biking, and wider nordic ski. Easily accessible from Teton Valley and Jackson Hole, this trail and the broader Southern Valley Trails network are favored, particularly on weekends.
Parking: Park at the access parking Mike Harris Campground. Depending on winter plowing conditions, you may need to park on the plowed pullout along the side of Hwy.
Skiing Experience: The trail offers varying experiences, including fat biking, mountain biking, and cross-country skiing. Enjoy a dog free ski as they are not permitted on this trail in the winter.
Winter Grooming: Teton Valley Trails and Pathways (TVTAP) diligently grooms this trail several times a week with the support of community sponsors like Fitzgerald’s Bicycles. If you appreciate these trails, please consider contributing to TVTAP’s grooming fund and purchasing a winter trails sticker at TVTAP.org. Given the trail's popularity, please practice good trail etiquette.
Summer Conditions: The trail is ideal for summer mountain biking and hiking.
Nordic Skiers: Enjoy a wider Nordic skiing experience on this trail.
Fat Bikers: The trail provides a great fat biking experience.
Dog Owners: Dogs are not allowed on the trail in the winter (December-April).
Directions:
Beginnings: Start from the Mike Harris parking area off ID Hwy 33 at the western base of Teton Pass. Proceed west approximately 500 feet into the woods.The trail splits; take the right-hand fork to ride the trail in a counter-clockwise direction, ascending Hillbender and descending Nemo.
Uphill Stretch: Hillbender was designed in 2018 specifically for mountain biking and fat biking. It features grades and switchbacks designed for reasonable climbing and corners that enable upward momentum. The trail winds up a ridge, passing through aspen and lodgepole pine forests and occasionally breaking into sub-alpine meadows. It follows a northwest direction, transitioning from shaded areas to sunny sections on the southwest side in the meadows. The trail starts at 6550 feet and steadily climbs to the junction with Nemo at 6840 ft.
Views: The trail offers beautiful views and a short, fun, flowy section into upper Grumpy’s and Upper Ladyslipper.
Return: After descending Ladyslipper, it will take you down to another trailhead at Teton Springs. Return to the 6750 ft elevation level and turn right (south) onto Nemo. Nemo has a progressive uphill, crosses the powerline open cut, crests at 6800 ft, and winds through the forest, flowing back down to the original trailhead.
