Sage Hen

We've never been out to Sage Hen before, but heard it's a good place to camp and ride. There are a couple things we're not sure about and would appreciate your info.

Is the route that cuts over from Hwy 55 easily passible with a large camp trailer?
Are there many trails suitable for beginner to intermediate riders?
Is there much in the way of dry camping, away from campgrounds?

We're thinking of going up there this weekend.

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Quad Mom

Thought of something else....

About how long would it take a truck hauling a camp trailer and quads to make the trip?

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Quad Mom

We stayed at the campgrounds about ten years ago. It was a nice campground but it was hot then and they had closed it for campfires. We were there looking for firewood so I don't remember how the trails were. We went from Emmett and then through Ola and Sweet.

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06 Rancher
83 ATC185s
95 F-150
88 Toyota Hi-lux

	firehart wrote:
	We stayed at the campgrounds about ten years ago. It was a nice campground but it was hot then and they had closed it for campfires. We were there looking for firewood so I don't remember how the trails were. We went from Emmett and then through Ola and Sweet.

there is some great hunting up there
we took a 7 point royal out of there 10 years ago
Razz

you all could drive up through ola and sweet , then just camp down at the creek I would suggest renwyck campground , then , just quad on up to sagehen for the day , but , stay down at the creek where it is cool ,
you could even ride on up to ramage meadows from there

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guns and money
banshees and raptors
there are many a slip ,,,,, twix,,,,,the cup and the lip

I was just up there with my kids last week. We camped for 3 days in one of the campgrounds, but I don't remember which one. The first day was really hot, but we got there too late to enjoy swimming after dinner. The next two days, last Thursday and Friday were much better (lower 80s). I don't know how hot it got in the valley, but it was nice up there! Remember, its 5200ft elevation and surrounded by shade trees.

We drove up through Horseshoe Bend, and followed the dirt road right at Smith's Ferry. There isn't a sign on Hwy 55, but just turn left at Smith's Ferry and follow the dirt road. There is a sign just before you disappear into the trees. It'll take you on a twisty dirt road (potholes, washboard, etc) for about 12-15 miles. We took our camp trailer up there just fine, and passed several going the opposite direction that were much larger than us. There are several signs along the dirt road that will indicated your distance from the reservoir. Just follow the signs and you'll be fine.

If you go through Sweet and Ola, be prepared for much more dirt road travel. It isn't as winding, and the trees aren't nearly as thick until you get just a few miles from the reservoir. It will take you longer to get there going this route, but you can stop at the diner in Ola and have the area's best (and only?) burgers. This is the way that we came out. Sagehen is by far, my favorite place in Idaho that I've been camping yet!

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Our Play Toys:
1985 XR350R
2007 Kymco 90
1970's VT525 mini

1987 Coleman Sequoia
1966 Mustang Conv

I guess it is a matter of opinion on the best route. We would rather go through ola route. It seems quicker to us due to you have to go slower the smithferry way. Chad,,, feel free to agree with me on this one. As for the dusty roads. still would go ola way, same dirt..

	Barron wrote:
	I guess it is a matter of opinion on the best route. We would rather go through ola route. It seems quicker to us due to you have to go slower the smithferry way. Chad,,, feel free to agree with me on this one. As for the dusty roads. still would go ola way, same dirt..

Agreed, especially if your towing a trailer, the road in from the other side beats the snott outta you, and i think the ola way is faster if your commong from 2C

Hmm, im about to go camping and this place sounds interesting. Anyone have pics of the place, especially the swimming area?

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Lots 'er stuff with them there motors!

There are also some atv trails that the Emmett Rough Riders maintain. ( Forest Service had maps for them) Nothing to hard and about 20-30 miles worth all looping into each other.There is no real designated swimming area, just swim where you like. Its pretty decent fishing there also...and i think it is less dirt roads (mileage wise) coming in from Ola, I believe only 13 miles and not so many twists... Have fun.............

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Keep it on at least two and let's ride !!!!!!! 08 Grizzly 700 camo

Couldn't find my camera before our trip, so here's a couple from my cell phone. I believe we stayed in Sagehen Creek campground, which has about 25 sites along 2 loops. The website Recreation.gov is misleading as to the size of this campground. It only shows half the number of sites. Walking through this campground, site #9 was beautiful and right on the water. If you had a canoe, kayak, or small fishing boat, you could pull it right up on shore inside that site. Reservations are almost mandatory if you're going on a weekend, but midweek (like we did) was nearly empty. The water is fed by run-off, so its cold and clear. The end of the dock is over your head, but you can still see the bottom clearly (and all the tadpoles).

Lots of shade available, and very big sites. This pic doesn't even show our fire pit.

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Our Play Toys:
1985 XR350R
2007 Kymco 90
1970's VT525 mini

1987 Coleman Sequoia
1966 Mustang Conv