Sawtooths Traverse and Stashing a Bike

[andyjaggy]

I'm wanting to do a traverse of the Sawtooths, but don't want to hitchike to get back to my car. I was wondering if there would be anywhere around Redfish Lake that one could store a bike safely and securely. That way I could get out from the trail and ride my bike back along the highway back to my car. Any thoughts?

 

[Rockskipper]

Find a nice stand of brush and hide it in there with a note in case someone finds it. Be sure it's off the beaten path. I've done this before - just be sure you can find it when you get back. But I've also hitched and had no problems. Seems like when you're in the backcountry it's pretty safe, as other nature-loving dirtbags will pick you up.

 

[Jackson]

It's not quite the same, but I left a bike at the Boulder Mail Trail airstrip trailhead recently. Just locked it to a juniper right next to where the cars park. Fortunately, a BLM guy came by as I was locking it up and said he'd check on it when he made his rounds. I'm sure that, locked up with a note in a secluded area, like @Rockskipper said, it would be completely fine.

Also, I rode the bike first and that was nice because my legs were fresh and it was a pretty tough uphill ride. Nice to just get in the car at the end. Just something to consider.

 

[LarryBoy]

That main road is very easy to hitch down, if your objection to hitchiking is the "nobody will pick me up" thing.

Honestly, I'd just call the lodge and ask them if they're willing to keep your bike someplace safe for you. They're pretty cool, and as long as you're paying them for a boat ride anyhow, I don't think it's too much to ask to stash your bike in some storage shed. Slide them a few bucks for the privilege and they'd be more than happy I'm sure.

 

[Kullaberg63]

When we hiked from Alturas Lake to Iron Creek we hoped to hitchhike back, but fire closures had shut down the road. We walked all the way in to Stanley and I rented a bike for the easy cruise back to the car.

Being a bike snob the biggest issue was contending with a low end Giant.

 

[Parma]

Stash your bike by the lodge and lock it...it'll be fine.