Description
Tucked in the Boise National Forest near Mores Creek Summit (Idaho Hwy 21) in Boise County, Sunset Mountain Lookout (7,869 ft) is a rewarding high-country detour for adventure motorcycle riders.
The staffed R-6 fire lookout tower, built in 1958 atop an older base, offers panoramic views of the Boise Mountains, North Fork Boise River country, and distant Sawtooths. Dual-sport and ADV riders tackle the rough, steep Forest Road #316 (some sections challenging with downed trees or exposure) from the summit parking area for a leg-stretch, photos, and epic vistas before rejoining backroads toward Idaho City or Lowman. Best in dry summer/fall—respect active fire lookout operations, pack in/pack out, and ride safe.
More Information
Coordinates: 43.898454, -115.647030
Elevation: 7850 ft
Difficulty: 3
What to Expect:
Check In
Use the form below to check in. Check-ins must include a photo of you or your bike at the challenge site with the 2026 bandanna. All participants must be registered IAMC Challenge Members. Leave a description of your ride and share road conditions — snow, water, obstacles, and tips for future riders are all appreciated.
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The stated difficulty is an estimate. Rating your experience helps future riders stay safe. You alone are responsible for the safety of your ride.
8 Check-Ins
Boys and I got to the base and found it was closed by the fire. So we had some food at Leons Cafe...with very dirty faces. This is the boys being very sad we didn't make it all the way to the top.
Excellent view from the top but I would rate this a 3.5 due to substantial erosion and ruts (some big enough to lose a bike in), including one set of ruts in a tight turn. Definitely had to regain stability after that one. Going down seemed easier than going up. If it wasn't so rutted and eroded, it would just be a 3. There were a few hikers up there, so keep an eye out.
I was there during the Crooked Fire and associated USFS closure. Closure extended right up to FS 316 / Sunset Mtn Rd, but excluded it. All the branching paths off the route were closed due to the fire. The lookout naturally had pretty good visibility to the fire, but due to the wind direction it was not smoky at the lookout.
The road up was deeply rutted in a number of places and there was a few spots with loose rock in some of the ruts where it was steep, so it was a bit challenging at times. I could see the start of a forest fire to the east, with smoke rising and blowing to the north.
Came over the top from Loftus hot spring. Perfect weather and no crashes.
Went back for a second run. The first time was with John Hart on eMTBs. This time with Andre Tipa on dualsports.
It's still a 3.5 on a big bike, 2.5 on a regular bike, because of some ruts and the fact that it's pretty steep and requires commitment.
Nice trip to the lookout on my T7 with the stock Pirelli Scorpian Rally STR tires. No problem with traction at all. I wouldn’t rate the road any more difficult than 3 with my size bike. There were no loose rocks or gravel so that is a major factor for me. I hate loose rocks!
So the first time up this on my 690 I got stopped by a downed tree. Then, Chatty and I rode to the top with our e-MTBs on Thursday the 11th. Then today (13th) I got up there with my 690. So here's the MTB pic AND the 690 pic. As previously stated in my first post (since deleted) I'm glad I rode my 690 although I have done this ride a few times on my BMW. I think Chatty gave this a 3.5 on a big bike...I'd concur, and add that there are one or two tricky sections that I thought were 3.5s on my 690, including a tricky lefthand hairpin about 3/4 of the way to the top. Finally, this is a really fun ride on an eMTB!! Highly recommended!
