Pine Creek Pass
Pine Creek Pass is a low forested pass between the Big
Hole Mountains to the north and the Snake River Range to
the south. It carries traffic between points west, onwards
over Teton Pass to Yellowstone and Teton National Parks.
It has little or no shoulder, and traffic can be
moderately heavy during morning and late afternoon, or
other peak traffic periods for the national parks.
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1.(00.0km~00.0mi, 1608m~5276ft) SART-END
WEST: jct US26 - Id31, Swan Valley
2.(13.1km~08.1mi, 1767m~5797ft) jct with FR250 on
right and Fleming Canyon shortly afterwards on left
3.(22.8km~14.2mi, 2062m~6764ft) TOP: Pine Creek Pass
and jct with FR253 on right
4.(28.5km~17.8mi, 1852m~6076ft) START-END EAST
ALTERNATE: low point
5.(33.5km~20.8mi, 1889m~6198ft) START-END EAST:
Victor
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 Approaches
From West. Swan Valley has a gas station with prices
(of not only gasoline) already influenced by the proximity of
national parks. It seems like every self respecting
Yellowstone tourist has to stop there. Other attractions are
two hamburger or steak restaurants. The road starts to climb
fairly steeply up the rolling range land at the foot of the
Snake River Range. It crosses Pine Creek before entering the
mountains and promptly levels out into a wide, partly forested
valley. Not until a few miles before the summit does the grade
pick up again significantly, accompanied by a few wide curves
across from Piney Mountain in the Big Holes. There are no
views from the summit, but a name and elevation sign.
From East. (described downwards). It's a short coast
down into Teton Basin. Along the way are two quickly passing
glimpses of the Teton peaks. But once you reach the valley you
can see them better from just about everywhere.
Tours
Dayrides.
COMPLETELY PAVED:
An out and back ride with lowest point at Swan Valley <>
Pine Creek Pass <> Victor <> turn around point at
the top of Teton Pass: 69 miles with 4300ft of climbing in 5:2
hours (r2:10.8.3). Also includes a very short (unpaved)
approach from a campsite in Fleming Canyon.
PARTIALLY PAVED / UNPAVED
An out and back ride starting at jct Fleming Canyon - Id34
on lower Pine Creek Pass <> top of Pine Creek Pass
<> out and back on FR253 to Rainey Creek trailhead
<> down west side of Pine Creek Pass <> to a turn
around point at the end of FR543 on Henderson Dry Road on the
eastern end of the Big Hole Mtns: 46 miles with 3500ft of
climbing in 4:0 hours (m3:10.8.4).
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