Adventure in SW Idaho’s Canyonlands

Owyhee Spring Outings

Don’t miss these great opportunities to explore the incredible desert landscapes of the Owyhee Canyonlands. Be sure to bring your camera and share your photos at our June 19th Owyhee Celebration at Barber Park! Please join us for these free hikes and a free party!

Organizers include: Idaho Conservation League, Idaho Outfitters and Guides Association, Idaho Rivers United, Sierra Club and The Wilderness Society.

SATURDAY, APRIL 12: Leslie Gulch Hike

Outing Leader: Alan Hausrath.

We will be visiting the mini-canyon country of Leslie Gulch just across the border in Oregon. Enjoy the red rocks, green of the Juniper, and blue skies of this late spring hike. Leave Boise at 8:30 am, back 5 pm.

• Level of difficulty: Moderate to hard (depends on your level of tolerance for traversing gravelly slopes and descending rocky drops in a dry streambed). Not suitable for young children.
• Elevation gain/loss: 500-800 feet.
• Distance of hike: 3—4 miles.
• Special instructions to hikers: Wear boots and outdoor clothing suitable for the day and bring sunscreen, water, and lunch.
• Anticipated conditions (weather, mud, driving conditions, etc.): The weather is generally pleasant to warm this time of year. We’ll hope for no mud. Plan to drive approximately 2 hours each way and hike for 4 hours.

SATURDAY, APRIL 19: Owyhee Petroglyphs

Outing Leader: Bill Eastlake.

Starting at Mud Flat Guard Station, we’ll hike south down an unnamed drainage to upper Pole Creek and proceed upstream (east) along the shallow canyon to an area with petroglyphs and perhaps other evidence (lithic scatter, rock alignments) of native American presence. We’ll make a return loop by crossing over the table we walked around on the way in.

• Level of difficulty: Moderate
• Elevation gain/loss: Minimal.
• Distance of hike: 4.5 miles RT plus looking around
• Family Friendly? Yes, provided kids are fully capable of the hike
• Meet at 8 am at carpool location in Boise, return by 6 pm. The drive is 90 miles each way.
• Special instructions to hikers: There is no steep terrain, but there is also nothing more than animal trails. Ground is often very rocky and uneven, so a walking stick(s) is helpful. Bring water and lunch, sun protection and good rain gear. Elevation is around 5700 feet, so it could be chilly.
• Anticipated conditions (weather, mud, driving conditions, etc.): Driving out there on pavement most of the way, then about 30 miles of good gravel on Mud Flat Road, so rugged vehicles are not necessary. The creek bottoms may be a bit spongy but should be passable.

SATURDAY, APRIL 26: Sage Grouse at Sunrise

Outing Leader: Bill Sedivy, IRU, with Michelle Commons-Kemner, IDFG biologist

Carpool to a lek (mating ground) to observe the amazing sage grouse at sunrise.

• Level of difficulty: No hiking, it’s a car thing.
• Meet in Boise, leave at 4 a.m., return to Boise by 1 p.m.
• Special instructions to participants: Must be able to quietly observe, ages 12 and up.
• Anticipated conditions (weather, mud, driving conditions, etc.): Perhaps difficult driving. Weather may affect location of lek we pick.

SATURDAY, APRIL 26: Snowshoe to Avondale Basin

Outing Leader: Richard Rusnak

Snowshoe 7 + miles into an Owyhee “Sky Island”. We will start on the Murphy to Silver City Rd, drive as far as possible, and then snowshoe up to the NY Summit area approx 2 miles. Continue W. and then into Avondale Basin another 2 miles. We will observe many migratory bird species along the way and discuss the rampant ORV damage witnessed along the route. The route is intermittently forested with scenic granite outcrops and good views of the valley.

The route will have intermittent bare ground/snowy areas, be prepared to remove snowshoes and hike on bare ground. (Expect possible post-holing).

• Level of difficulty: Moderate-Strenuous
• Elevation gain/loss: 1000 ft
• Distance of hike: 7+ miles
• Family Friendly? Will be difficult for kids
• Other notes: Need 4WD for possible slush and mud.
• Special instructions to hikers: Be prepared for foul weather. Bring Water, Lunch, Snowshoes, sturdy boots, gaiters, ski poles, winter clothing, binoculars, backpacks and strings to tie-off snowshoes to your pack.
• Anticipated conditions (weather, mud, driving conditions, etc.): need 4 WD if muddy/ slushy roads persist. Expect rough conditions, soft snow traverse with intermittent bare ground.
• Meet in Nampa to carpool at 8:30 am, return to Nampa 5:00 pm.

SATURDAY, MAY 3: Family Hike in No. Fork Owyhee

Outing Leader: John McCarthy

An introduction to family hiking with kids 8 years old and up in the Owyhees. Start at the North Fork Campground, the only campground on public land in Owyhee County, hike up to the canyon rim, back down to the river and loop back to the campground. We’ll scramble and hike, look at wildflowers, talk about the canyons and wildlife of the area and take in breath-taking vistas.

Other notes: Kids under 8 could stay near the river at the campground with fun play sites, accompanied by a parent. Gather at the campground or hike by the river in the proposed Wilderness area for lunch. We can also look at maps, to point out other potential family hike options.

• Level of Difficulty: moderate.
• Elevation gain/loss: about 500 feet up and back down to the river
• Distance: 2-3 miles
• Special instructions to hikers: About a 2-hour drive from Boise to No. Fork Campground. On the hike, we’ll go at the pace and interest of young hikers. Youngsters should have good sports shoes and be ready to hike a couple miles. Bring clothing appropriate to the weather, drinking water and lunch.
• Meet in Boise at 8:30 am. Return to Boise about 4 pm.

How To Participate

Advance registration is required for all hikes. Trip details, carpool information and meeting locations will be provided upon registration. In consideration for other hikers (and wildlife), no dogs are allowed.
Outings are able to accommodate a limited number of participants on a first come, first serve basis.
For more information or to register, please contact Marcy Westover at 208-345-6933 ext. 14 or email mwestover@wildidaho.org.