Explore Idaho’s New Wilderness and Wild & Scenic Rivers with The Wilderness Society, Sierra Club, Idaho Rivers United and Idaho Conservation League
2009 Owyhee Spring Outings Details
SATURDAY, APRIL 18GENERAL INFORMATION
Leslie Gulch Hike
Leader: Alan Hausrath, Sierra Club. Experience the beautiful colors of the Owyhees in spring—the red rock, the green junipers, and the blue sky! Join us for a day hike to this beautiful corner of eastern Oregon.
Level of Difficulty: Strenuous, three mile off-trail hike.
Departure: 8:30 am from Boise.
Est. Return: 5:00 pm.
To Register: call Jessica at 384-1023.
SATURDAY APRIL 25
Shoofly Creek HikeDay hike up Shoofly Creek. Raptor biologist Dustin Perkins will be joining us, so be sure to bring your binoculars. Sage grouse and California Bighorn sheep also frequent the area, so wildlife viewing opportunities abound.
Level of Difficulty: Moderate, five mile off-trail hike with elevation gain/loss of 1500 feet. Mostly gentle terrain, with several steep climbs.
Departure: 8:00 am from East Boise.
Est. Return: 4:00 pm.
To register: call Brenda at 343-8153 ext. 1.
SATURDAY, APRIL 25
Hike to Indian Hot SpringsLeader: Paul Tower, Idaho Conservation League. A spectacularly scenic and fun hike, it is a good setting for contemplating the varied interests in public land management. Submit topics to leader in advance, they may be used as topics of discussion. Other: Slow drive over rocky, unpaved roads the last 20 miles. Updated conditions will be provided via email in advance. High clearance and off-road tires needed, if you have that and can drive, let us know when you register. Bring swimsuit for possible soak in the hot springs. Optional: Also bring camping gear for campout at Bruneau Dunes over the weekend (see next outing!)
Level of difficulty: Moderate to difficult, 3.5 miles with elevation gain/loss of 1,000 feet.
Depature: 7:30am from Boise, 9:00 from Bruneau.
Est. Return: 9:00 pm.
To register: call Marcy at 345-6936 ext. 14.
FRIDAY & SATURDAY APRIL 24 & 25
Campout at Bruneau Sand Dunes
Leader: Paul Tower, Idaho Conservation League. This event is in conjunction with the Indian Hot Springs hike. Paul will be camping at the Bruneau Dunes State Park for the weekend and welcomes others who join him on the hike, or anyone else who would like to spend some time at the dunes. Indian Hot Springs hike will be Saturday (see description above). There is limited camping available, so call to reserve a place! Bring your own gear, food and water!
To register: call Bruneau Dunes State Park at 208-366-7919. For more info: www.stateparks.com/bruneau_dunes.html.
Two outings!
SATURDAY, APRIL 25 or SUNDAY, APRIL 26
Sage Grouse at SunriseLeaders: Bill Sedivy, Idaho Rivers United, with Michelle Commons-Kemner, IDFG biologist. Vanpool to a lek (mating ground) to observe the amazing mating rituals of this seclusive bird. Must be able to quietly observe, ages 12 and up.
Level of difficulty: No hiking, it’s a car thing. Driving conditions may be rough.
Departure: Meet at 4 am sharp in Boise.
Est. Return: 1 pm.
To Register: Contact Jeff at 343-7481 or jeff@idahorivers.org. Please specify Saturday or Sunday.
SATURDAY APRIL 25
North Fork Owyhee Family Hike
Leader: John McCarthy, The Wilderness Society. Hike into proposed North Fork Owyhee Wilderness. All off-trail, with an old juniper log homesteader cabin as our destination. The hike starts near the river, goes up the canyon side about 400 feet and then drops back down to the river again. Hike is intended to introduce people to the North Fork campground and the hiking options for the surrounding area. Kids over 8 years old who are willing and able to walk a few miles, are welcome (must bring a parent or guardian). Other: Driving conditions should be good on a gravel road, most passenger cars able to navigate. Good tires and a functional spare required.
Level of difficulty: Easy, all off-trail 3 mile hike. Elevation gain/loss of 500 feet. We will go at the pace and interest of young hikers.
Departure: 8:30 am from Boise.
Est. Return: 5:00 pm.
To Register: call Brenda at 343-8153 ext.1.
SATURDAY, MAY 16
Photography at Bruneau Overlook
Leaders: Albert Dickson and Kevin Lewis, Idaho Rivers United. Great opportunity to hike around and photograph the scenic Bruneau River Overlook and spring landscapes. Join two expert photographers who will give pointers on composition and technical settings so you can improve your landscape photography skills.
Level of Difficulty: Easy--Amateur and experienced photographers welcome, bring any type of camera you wish.
Departure: 9:00 am from Boise.
Est. Return: 4:00 pm.
To register: contact Jeff at 343-7481 or jeff@idahorivers.org.
FRIDAY, MAY 22
Avondale Basin Bird Watching Hike
Leaders: Alan Hausrath and Jonathan Stoke, Sierra Club. Great opportunity to go birding and hiking out in the Owyhee Mountains at Avondale Basin, near Silver City. We will travel on dirt roads, so a high-clearance vehicle is recommended. If you have such a vehicle and are willing to drive, let us know when you register.
Level of diffi culty: moderate to strenuous.
Departure: 8 am from Nampa.
Return: Back at cars by 4 pm, optional drive to Silver City for pie if restaurant is open.
To register: Contact call Jonathan at 344-4805 or sierra@heliographs.com.
- REGISTRATION: Must pre-register to participate. All hikes have limited number of participants, first come, first serve, though we will create a waiting list in case of cancellations. If you leave a voice mail message or email, be sure to let us know the name of the outing, the number of persons in your party, and a call back phone number.
- COST: Suggested donation of $5 per person for members of the coordinating organizations, $10 per person nonmembers, collected by leader on day of outing.
- No dogs out of courtesy for other participants.
- Carpooling is highly encouraged. Once you have registered for a hike, you will be informed on where to meet and special instructions will be given.
- Sturdy, closed-toed hiking shoes required. The Owyhee region is a rugged, desert landscape, home to snakes and other desert creatures. Most hikes will be off-trail on sandy, rocky soil, and may require scrambling over dry (or possibly wet, this time of year) streambeds.
- Each participant is required to sign a liability waiver form at the meeting site before heading out.
- Weather conditions in a desert climate can change rapidly. Dress in layers, bring raingear, water bottles, lunch, sunscreen and hats for variable temperatures.
- CANCELLATION: Please call at least 24 hours in advance of the date, so we can contact those on the waiting list.
Click here to download the pamphlet (Adobe Acrobat Reader required)
Spring Desert Hiking Series organizers include Idaho Conservation League, Idaho Outfitters and Guides Association, Idaho Rivers United, The Nature Conservancy, Sierra Club & The Wilderness Society.
