Route Card 3 Bears

For the off season this year, I’m sharing a series of Route Cards pulled straight from my Strava history. These are routes I’ve ridden over the years, everything from quick after work loops to big days during the Trail Challenge, plus a few shuttle laps mixed in. The goal isn’t to over explain or turn these into full ride guides. It’s to give you simple, proven route ideas you can bookmark now and come back to when 2026 rolls around. Think of these as quick reference cards for exploring new areas, linking trails more confidently, and getting out of your normal riding routine.

Quick Stats

• Distance: 9.75 miles
• Elevation Gain: 1,600'
• Ride Time: 90 - 120 minutes
• Difficulty Level: Intermediate
• Strava Link

Route Snapshot

This route can be a shuttle ride if you're into that kind of thing, I have shuttled this ride from the Boise Bike park. See the strava link here for that ride. Honestly I prefer the shuttle option, but this is for those that wanna get that extra climb in. I do recommend that you pay attention as you're climbing Shaw Mtn Road. It can be very busy and I've had a side by side buzz me pretty fast on that climb. It's a popular area in the valley and it sees all kinds of traffic, especially on weekends.

The climb up Five Mile Gulch to Watchman is sustained and steady, especially after that road climb. This is a great spring ride, the sun flowers on Watchman trail really light up the trails. I've taken some newer riders on this route and they were a little surprised by the steepness of the hillside on Watchman, if you're not comfortable on single track with some exposed hillsides and corners, maybe save this one for later.

Once you clear the last switchback on Watchman it's like 99% downhill back to the parking spot. There is some really fun flow on 3 Bears. Here is the full descent to the bike park if you're curious about the descent down 3 Bears trail.

Simple Route Directions

• Start at exit of Shanes Loop on Shaw Mtn Road (aka Rocky Canyon Road)
• Climb up Shaw Mtn Road to Five Mile Gulch
• Continue climb onto Watchman
• Connect to 3 Bears
• Descend to Shanes loop
• Return to starting point

To make things even easier, I have created a public Google Maps guide with pins for every major Boise trailhead and bike park. It’s a simple way to see where to park and how to access the trails. Whether you're planning your first ride or looking for a new spot to explore, this guide has you covered.

More Route Cards are coming every week throughout January. This series is meant to be a growing library of ride ideas you can save, revisit, and pull from when you’re ready to explore something new in 2026. If you want these sent directly, subscribe to the Filthy Casual newsletter. That’s where I’ll be sharing new Route Cards, updates, and future ride projects first.

Forever Two Wheels!

-Myles