Mountain Music is on the wane! Get out and enjoy the last couple weeks of live music!

Jeff Crosby Band on the dock by Lake Cascade and West Mountain.
(photo courtesy Jeff Crosby Band and Tri-City Vibe)

Hi all, 

I'm in a mountain musical mood today anticipating the Sheryl Crow concert at the Albertson's Open tonight. Boise counts as mountains, right? 

Live music seems like it's always better in the mountains, surrounded by trees, fresh air and cooler temps. 

Starting tomorrow (Friday, Aug. 25), Tamarack Resort is hosting a one-hour VIP show for the Jeff Crosby Band at 4 p.m., and then he plays a plays a free concert at Tamarack Friday night.

The Jeff Crosby Band also plays next Friday, Sept. 1 in the final show of Brundage's TGIF free concert series. It's fitting for him to finish off the season because he normally gets the crowd on its feet with a great mixture of blues, country rock and rock. Last year, I thought he blew the roof off! 

High Pine Whiskey Yell (courtesy highpinewhiskeyyell.com)

Also on Friday, High Pine Whiskey Yell will be playing at Brundage in their TGIF series concert series. 

As described on the Brundage web site: "This four-piece group of modern-day rounders focuses on telling true stories about robots taking your job, banksters robbing from the poor, the trials of gold panning in Idaho, skiing/riding deep powder, UFOs, and a few other traditional bluegrass subjects (such as murder, drinking, and dogs)."

On Saturday, Bogus Basin will have free music on the patio from 2-5 p.m. with Olivia Frost (left), a singer and guitar player who is based in Boise currently. I took a glance at her Facebook page, and she's been playing all kinds of venues across Southern Idaho in the last year. Wineries, bars, festivals, weddings, you name it.  

Anyway, when you're visiting the ski resorts in the summer, there's all kinds of things to do - from yoga classes, scenic chairlift rides, hiking trails, mountain bike trails, food and beverage, the mountain coaster at Bogus Basin, the zipline at Tamarack and waterfront rentals and activities at Tam. 

Grab some lodging and make a weekend out of it! 
- SS  

Spring season pass sales offer best pricing at Bogus, Tamarack and Brundage

Photo courtesy Bogus Basin

Hi all, 

It's that time of year, once again, when many Idaho ski areas offer spring season pass sales that provide the best pricing for a 2023-24 season pass, plus instant access to the ski mountains in the remaining weeks/months of the 2022-23 ski season. 

Bogus Basin launches their season pass sales tomorrow, Friday, Feb. 23. Tamarack Resort's season pass sales are already under way, with the best pricing open now until March 1st. And Brundage Mountain's season pass sales start on March 1st. 

Be sure to check on the season pass pricing for the places you want to ski/ride, and make your purchase now! The best pricing occurs right when the sales open, and then the rates go up steadily this spring and next fall to full price. Don't wait! Get the best price!  

Remember that many season passes also provide discounts at other ski mountains or provide discounts for an Indy Pass. So when you buy a season pass, you're getting more than just the value of a one-mountain pass.  

2023-24 Pricing: 

Courtesy Bogus Basin

At Bogus Basin, a "True Bogus" pass for adults costs $499 for full access to winter and summer recreation activities. 

• A winter-only adult pass costs $429
• A spring winter pass costs $119    
• Twilight season pass (after 3 p.m.) - $149
• Night season pass (after 6 p.m.) - $99
• Military - $359
• Family - $1,609
• Young Adult (18-24) - $379
• Teen (13-17) - $299
• Junior (7-12) - $179

I believe all of these prices are valid for skiers/riders who have an existing season pass. The price is a smidge higher if you're buying a pass for the first time. 

Considering that it costs $79 for a full day adult pass at Bogus, you can "pay off" these season passes with merely a couple of days of skiing/riding.

More information at Bogus Basin. 

Tim Wolfgram, front, and Mike Erlebach carve turns at Tamarack. Photo by SS 

The $499 Boundless season passes at Tamarack Resort provide four-season access to winter skiing/riding on the mountain, Nordic trails, summer lift-served mountain biking and hiking trails, scenic chairlift rides in the summer, and complimentary 2-hour lake kayak and SUP rentals at the waterfront on Lake Cascade, ski and bike tuning discounts and more. 

Other Boundless passes available with best pricing right now until March 1: 

• Family - $1,199
• Young adult (ages 18-26) - $199
• Teen (12-17) - $299
• Youth - $179
• Senior - $349
• Military - $299
• Midweek - $349

All of those prices go up after March 1st! Again, compared with the cost of a daily lift ticket at Tam ($55 mid-week, $75 weekend), you can ski off the pass in a matter of days. 

Remember that you can get a free day of skiing at Tamarack with a season pass from another Idaho ski area. 

More information on Tamarack season passes.

Courtesy Brundage Mountain Resort 

Again, Brundage Mountain's season pass sale starts March 1, and the best pricing is available through March 20. Rates go up $100 per pass after March 21, and by May 1st, the Brundage adult pass goes from $559 (March 1) to $899. On Nov. 1, the price goes up to $999. You get the idea! 

The season pass pricing shown here provides access to winter and summer activities, including lift-served mountain biking, scenic chairlift rides, bike park access and bike park shuttle in the summer. 

More pricing: 

• Military - $329
• Young adult (age 18-25) - $329
• Teen (13-17) - $269
• Youth (7-12) - $149
• Senior - $299
• Midweek - $399
• Family - $1,399

For price comparison, an adult Brundage lift ticket costs $86. So, you can ski off the pass in a matter of days. And the ski season typically lasts from early December to mid-April! 

More information on Brundage season passes. 

Speaking of skiing/riding, the weather this week has been pretty wacky with this Arctic storm front that descended into Idaho from Canada. Some of the weather forecasts have been way off the mark, and mine were too on the Idaho Daily Snow. Even so, all of Idaho's ski areas have been getting refreshed with new snow this week. Tamarack really got the goods on Wednesday night/Thursday with a foot of new snow. Bogus Basin got 7" out of that storm, and Brundage had 4" as of Thursday afternoon. We'll take it! 

See my latest post on opensnow.com. 

- SS   

Great conditions for snow biking right now at Bogus Basin, ID City and McCall!

Hi all, 

It's been a better-than-average winter for fat biking in the snow. At least for me.  

During cold snaps with snow, the lower Boise foothills trails have been excellent to ride. The North Valley Trail in McCall and the snow bike/xc trails at Jug Mountain Ranch are always good.  

If you catch them right, like maybe the day after they've been groomed, the Idaho City Park and Ski Area trails can be excellent for snow biking. Firm conditions are best on groomed trails or boot-tracked trails. Typically, I think they groom mid-week to prepare trails for the weekend xc skiers.

Today, I zipped up to Bogus Basin to ride their Nordic trails. It's been freezing hard at night, so I figured if I got there late morning, the groomed trails would be firm. True! Skate skiers had been skiing the loop in the morning before me and packing down the middle of the trail. Plus, the trails had been freshly groomed overnight. 

It was best for me to ride right in the middle of the trail - the most well-traveled part of the trail - where I left barely a tire print in the snow. I could zoom right along on the flats, cruise downhill, and grind up the hills. The Nordic Connector Loop over to Red Tail and back to the Nordic Highway was in perfect shape for snow biking. And then you can head out the Nordic Highway several miles over to the Shafer Butte picnic junction and continue uphill to the picnic area, if you want to cover more distance. 

It was a beautiful day today to be in the mountains, soak up some Vit D, and get a workout. 

It's important for fat bikers to pay attention to their impact on trails to retain good relations with xc skiers and snowmobilers. If your tires are creating a big wedge or rut in the snow, then you create a divot in the trail, and that upsets the xc skiers in particular. They are expecting to glide on a smooth surface. If you leave light to no tracks, then the conditions are perfect for snow biking.

That's the situation we've got right now. Think about heading up to Bogus Basin to go fat biking on the Nordic trails, or head for a few other destinations that allow fat biking at the destinations above. 

At Bogus, I could use the trails for no charge since I'm a season pass holder with both Nordic and alpine privileges. I also have my own fat bike with 4" wide tires, disk brakes, and a nice range of gears for climbing and riding downhill. 

If you don't have your own bike, at Bogus it costs $45 to rent a fat bike for 2 hours, $65 for the day. Hours of operation are 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. midweek, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekends. So you could easily head up there after work if you have a daytime job. More information on fat biking at Bogus, go here.   

Shafer Butte picnic area junction.  

Trail map courtesy Bogus Basin Nordic Center

Be aware that some of the Nordic trails at Bogus are closed to fat biking. Be sure to check with the Nordic staff at the lodge to ensure you know which trails to ride. 

For more ideas on fat biking in the snow in the Boise area, check out the Fat Bike Boise Facebook page. People post there frequently about the snow/riding conditions on Boise-area trails.  

Looking ahead, weather looks stellar - a bluebird weekend with warmish afternoons through Sunday, Feb. 19. And then forecasts are calling for colder temps and more snow in the mountains next week! See my latest snow forecast on opensnow.com. We've got plenty of winter yet to come! 
- SS  

Bogus Basin guided snowshoe nature tours and seven other worthy snowshoe destinations

My son Drew and I go snowshoeing frequently. 
This photo was taken at Bear Basin in McCall. 

Hi all,

My regular readers know that I like to enjoy the winter in many different ways, using different modes of transportation, including alpine skiing, xc skiing, backcountry skiing, snow biking and snowshoeing. 

This week, for my outdoor tip of the week, I'd like to recommend a number of worthy locations to go snowshoeing. I'll lead off with guided snowshoe nature tours being offered by Bogus Basin on Saturdays and Sundays this winter. They've got tours going out on Saturday and Sunday mornings at 10 a.m. and then again at 1:30 p.m. in the afternoon on both days. 

Ray Vizgirdas talks about nature with snowshoers at Bogus. 
(photo courtesy Bogus Basin) 

The nature tours are led by Ray Vizgirdas, a wildlife biologist, who has worked for state and federal natural resources agencies for 30+ years. The theme this weekend is all about winter animal tracks. 

The tours last 1.5 hours. Inquire with dirk@bogusbasin.org to check on availability. Private and group tours are available. Maximum 12 people per tour. They may have openings for next weekend, Feb. 11-12. The cost is $40 for full package of snowshoe rentals, trail pass and guided trip, $20 for just the tour if you have your own snowshoes and a Nordic trail pass.   

Snowshoe/ski trail going from Beaver Creek Trailhead
to the Stargaze Yurt. 

The snowshoe tours are "a great intro into the world of winter recreation while you learn a little about the flora & fauna that call Bogus Basin home," the Bogus Basin web site says. "Perfect for those new to the area or anyone interested in learning a little more about Bogus Basin and the mountain ecosystem."       

Seems like the snowshoe tours would be a good way to become acquainted with Bogus Basin's snowshoe trails and learn about nature. Great combo! Trips like these should work for just about anyone ... if you know how to walk, you can snowshoe. 

Check out these other snowshoeing destinations: 

• Freddy's Stack Rock Trail over to Stack Rock from Bogus Basin Road. See Ridge to Rivers interactive map. There's a large pullout on the right side of the Bogus Basin Road at about mile 10 where you can park and access the trail. 
• Charcoal Gulch - Idaho City. The trailhead is adjacent to the Idaho City Airport. Self-guided adventure in ungroomed trail. 
• More's Creek Summit. Climb to Sunset Lookout or Pilot Peak on snowmobile-packed or skier packed snow roads. Sunset is 5 miles one-way. Pilot Peak is 3 miles and change. 
• Idaho City Park and Ski Areas. Keep going past More's Creek Summit on Idaho 21 to the Gold Fork, Whoop Em Up, Banner Ridge or Beaver Creek parking areas. I would recommend Gold Fork, Whoop Em Up, Banner Ridge and Beaver Creek as great destinations for snowshoeing. Go to the IDPR Park and Ski web site for maps and more information.
• Crown Point Trail in Cascade. 3 miles out, 6 miles out and back. Trailhead located near Lake Cascade just outside of the town of Cascade.  
  
  Here's Drew snowshoeing in Ponderosa Park 
  on a powder day. 
  
  
• Ponderosa State Park - McCall. Multiple snowshoe trails are available at Ponderosa ... one of the most scenic parks in Idaho. 
• Bear Basin - McCall. Trailhead is on the north side of ID 55 on the way to the Little Ski Hill. There are multiple snowshoe trails to explore. 

There you have it! 

- SS 

North Fork Championships this weekend; plus Brundage, Tamarack and Bogus Basin open for summer season!

A kayaker paddles through a giant frothing hole/wave on the North Fork Payette River.
Photo by SS 

Hi all, 

I stopped by the North Fork of the Payette River today on my way down to Boise from McCall, and I had a chance to watch a number of kayakers participating in the North Fork Championships practice the slalom course in Jacob's Ladder Rapids, the largest and steepest Class 5 drop on the North Fork. 

It's just amazing to stand by the North Fork and feel its thundering power - especially at the top of Jake's! It scares me just to stand there and watch boaters go through the expert-only super-challenging rapids! 

The first slalom gate comes immediately following the first steep drop into the rapids. Competitors have to fly into an eddy on river left as they make the drop, do a quick 180-degree turn, paddle upstream, go around the slalom gate, and then dig in the paddle and carve into a ferocious eddy turn into the center of the raging river, where the kayakers can get churned up in the major turbulence or best case, make a clean entry and zip to the next slalom gate. 

These are some of the nation's best Class 5 kayakers, and they're here kayaking on the North Fork of the Payette River for the North Fork Championships. The event started on Thursday, June 16, and continues through Saturday, June 18, for the North Fork slalom event. I think it's well-worth watching! 

Hang on to that brace buddy! Photo by SS

On Thursday, there was an expert downriver race in S-turn Rapids, just above Big Eddy Campground, on the North Fork. Friday, there's a downriver Boater X race, also in S-turn Rapids, starting at 12:30 p.m. 

The main event, the elite North Fork slalom race in Jacob's Ladder, starts at 1 p.m. Saturday. The kayaker with the fastest time and clean slalom runs wins the race (best of two runs). There are men's and women's elite divisions; a total of 150 kayakers will be participating. 

If you can get up there early and stake out a spot on the North Fork to watch the races, it will be a spectacular thing to see!   

With the warmer weather this week, it seems like summer is finally kicking in! 

Steve Jones amid the flowers in Ponderosa State Park. 

The snow is finally melted around McCall. Hiking and biking trails in Ponderosa State Park are in great shape. The campers are beginning to filter in! Lots of people are hiking and biking at Jug Mountain Ranch as well as on trails around McCall, like the North Valley Rail-Trail, McCall Greenbelt, and Spring Mountain Ranch bike trails.  

Brundage Mountain Resort opens their mountain bike trails this weekend, plus people are encouraged to ski/ride off the top of the mountain as well. Ha! That's kind of a hoot! The Bluebird Express will be running all day Friday-Sunday, plus food and beverage services at the base area. See their announcement about opening weekend, beginning on Friday, June 17, and about future events. The Brundage concert series starts on July 8, plus there's a 4th of July music fest. 

Plenty of snow still at the Brundage summit.

Tamarack Resort's mountain bike park and Tam Express chairlift begin operating this weekend as well on Friday, June 17, and then Tam will remain open seven days a week through the summer season. Riders can enjoy 1,700 vertical feet of downhill riding on the Tam downhill trails, plus there's xc trails worth exploring at the Tamarack base area. There's also zipline tours, waterfront services with boat rentals, and food and beverage. 

Bogus Basin also will be opening for 7-day-a-week operations on Friday. People can ride the Deer Point or Morning Star chairlifts, ride gravity mountain bike trails, ride the Mountain Coaster, go hiking. or engage in other activities in the base area. Food and Beverage as well.    

There you have it! Have a great weekend! 
- SS 

 

Oodles of outdoorsy ideas for the last big camping weekend of 2021 in Idaho!

Big Lookout Lake, Trinity Mountains

Hi all,

Labor Day weekend is upon us! It's the typical last hurrah of the camping season, so I'm dishing up some last-minute tips for the three-day weekend, as always. 

Before we get into the camping ideas, Bogus Basin, Brundage Mountain and Tamarack Resort all have some fun stuff going on this weekend, and the Spirit of Boise Balloon Classic at Ann Morrison Park runs daily through Sunday.  

Courtesy Spirit of Boise Balloon Classic

This weekend will be the final segment of Music on the Mountain at Bogus Basin on Saturday, Sept. 4, from 3-6 p.m., featuring Voice of Reason and the Afrosonics on the lawn outside Simplot Lodge. Plus you can partake in Fun Zone activities, including summer tubing, bungee trampoline, gem panning, climbing wall, mountain coaster or ride the lifts to access hiking and biking trails. 

Bogus will be open on weekends through October FYI. 

 

This will be the final weekend of operations at Brundage Mountain. Jeff Crosby and the Refugees will play live in the grass amphitheather in the final TGIF concert of the year Friday night. The event is free. Food and beverage available for sale on site. Also, Brundage is providing FREE lift service to retail, restaurant, service, hospitality and health care employees Friday-Monday. That's pretty cool! 

 

At Tamarack, they're hosting a super fun Bikes, Brews & Bluegrass event on Sunday, Sept. 5, 1-5 p.m. Ride the lift and check out the hiking and biking trails on the mountain. They've got something for all abilities, including hard-core downhillers! In addition, there will be end-of-season sales with guest shop retailers, live bluegrass music by local Idaho musicians, and up to a dozen different beers all from local Idaho breweries! Guests must be 21+ to purchase cups and tokens for beer, but otherwise it's a family friendly FREE event!

 

Steve fishing Rainbow Lake

Now, on to the camping tips and other Labor Day ideas ... the weather looks stellar BTW for camping, hiking and biking this Labor Day weekend, with daytime highs in the 80s in the mountains, and 90s in the Boise Valley.

• Trinity Mountains - Go camping, day-hiking or backpacking in the Trinities. I recommend driving there via Featherville. Head for Big Trinity Lake, the trailhead and general dispersed camping area. It's definitely worth backpacking into the high mountain lakes to get away from the car-campers and enjoy some good fishing!
  
  
  
  

• Cascade area - Stolle Meadows and Landmark are my favorite camping areas in this neck of the woods. There are tons of primitive car-camping spots in both locations, east of Cascade, off the Warm Lake Highway. I've heard there may be some construction in the Stolle Meadows area so check with the Cascade Ranger District for any closures. Plus, there are hot springs in the vicinity.

• 

  Lick Creek area in the Payette National Forest 

• McCall area - Camping, hiking and backpacking in the Lick Creek area NE of McCall should be fabulous. Some of the nice mountain lakes up there include Box, Snowslide, Duck, Hum, Enos and Thirty-three lakes. Pick up a Payette National Forest map or a McCall Adventure Map to get the details for access. Also, check my blog from earlier this summer on five easy-to-access kid-friendly mountain lakes in the McCall area. 

  

  Stanley Lake 

• Stanley area - I'm sure the Stanley area will be hopping with lots of campers at Stanley Lake, Redfish Lake, Pettit Lake and points along the Salmon River. Backpacking in the White Clouds should be dandy, particularly from the East Fork side, being a three-day weekend and all. Don't forget the Marsh Creek Trail as another potential destination ... great hiking and fly fishing spot. Hike up to the junction of Bear Valley and Marsh Creeks, and there's a huge glory hole right there. 

  

  North and Middle Forks of the Boise River ... car-camping mecca 

• Idaho City area - The North and Middle Forks of the Boise River work great for car camping. See my post from last week.  
• Salmon River beaches - Upstream from Riggins along the Salmon River Road are some sweet spots for camping, hanging out and swimming. 

Courtesy Winding Rivers Rafting

Also, Labor Day weekend is chock full of big sales at your favorite outdoor retailers in the Boise area, places like Idaho Mountain Touring, George's Cycles, Boise REI, Greenwood's, McU Sports, Alpenglow Mountain Sport, Idaho River Sports, and Shu's Idaho Running Company, all have some fantastic clothing and gear on sale right now. Great deals! Go get 'em! 

Multiple events going on this weekend in the mountains! Sawtooth Festival, Bogus, Brundage, Tamarack all dishing up fun activities!

Chinook salmon (courtesy IDFG)

Hi all, 

The Western Idaho State Fair is in full swing, kids are back in school, and the weather has been fantastic -- the best all summer! -- to go hiking, biking, trail-running, camping or exploring in the mountains! 

For my outdoor tip this week, I'm highlighting a number of events going on at Bogus, Brundage and Tamarack, the Sawtooth Festival in Stanley, and the Gallery 55 Art in the Courtyard event in McCall, where my son Drew will be showing his latest acrylic paintings Friday-Sunday.  

The smoke is supposed to clear by Friday, making for a gorgeous weekend! High temperatures in the 70s are forecast in the mountains! Chilly at night! 

The summer season is winding down at your favorite ski areas, but there are a couple of weekends left to enjoy lift-served service and musical events.

• The Sawtooth Festival is held each year in Stanley during the spawning season. The event is being held at the Stanley Museum on Highway 75 from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Congressman Mike Simpson will be there to talk about his plan to save salmon in the Northwest. Muzzie Braun will be playing at 3 p.m. Salmon spawning tours will be provided by bus. If your kids haven't seen salmon spawning for real, it's something they'll never forget!
  
  
  
  
  
• Bogus Basin will host the Boise Contemporary Theater on Saturday night, and a unique Global Farmer's Market on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Yoga on the mountain in the morning. There's a guided nature hike on Sunday at 2 p.m. Plus, there's the usual assortment of things to do at Bogus from lift-served hiking and biking, to the Mountain Coaster, downhill tubing and more. See the Bogus events page for more information. Last music concert is Sept. 4 with the Boise Rock School. Bogus is operating full services Friday-Sunday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

  

  Nature hike at Bogus Basin happening on Sunday at 2 p.m.
  

  
  
  
  
• Brundage Mountain is hosting their last TGIF concert Friday with High Pine Whiskey Yell. Jeff Crosby will cap off the live music season on Sept. 3. General hours of operation are 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Brundage has a new mountain bike trail called "Rock Garden" to try out up by the summit! Looks amazing! They're operating Wednesday-Sunday through Labor Day weekend, closing Sept. 6 for the summer season. Check out this video of Rock Garden.
  
  

  

  Yoga on the mountain (courtesy Tamarack Resort)
  

  
  
• Tamarack Resort is operating 7 days a week, offering lift-served hiking and biking, zipline adventures, waterfront activities and more. They've got yoga on the mountain in the morning, and live music Saturday afternoon from 4-6 p.m. with Chicago Boise Express. 
• Boise Goathead Fest - And of course we can must mention the Boise Goathead Fest at Cecil Andrus Park on Saturday. If you stay in town, you must go! Registration starts at 10 a.m., pedal-powered parade at 11 a.m., and then Goathead Fest follows at 11:30 a.m. See the full schedule here. 

Come see our booth at the Gallery 55 art show in McCall if you're in the hood! It opens Friday afternoon at 4 p.m. and runs through 7 p.m., then 10 am - 6 pm on Saturday and 10 am - 4 pm on Sunday.  You can preview Drew's art work at drewstuebner.com. We will be selling original acrylic paintings, limited edition prints and note cards.  

Go for hike or a bike ride in the McCall area and take a stroll through the Art in the Courtyard art show ... similar to Art in the Park in Boise ...  more than 35 artists are being featured in the show. We will be at booth #34 in the Legacy Park area, near Salmon River Brewery and Gravity Sports. 

Hope to see you there!

- SS

These are a few of Drew's latest acrylic paintings that will be on display.

Bear and Frog 

Polar bear and puffin 

Snow levels receding, new bear-proof coolers required in the Sawtooth NRA and Brundage Mountain opens for the season!

What's the snow level in the mountains? Depends on location! Pioneers might be a good bet!
Steve, Wendy and Tim Nelson near Goat Lake in the Pioneer Mountains.

Hi all, 

It's been getting hot here in mid-June, and the snow is melting rapidly in the high country. Many people are yearning to go backpacking and camping at high mountain lakes, but that's still a bit iffy in many locations ... tho not far away! 

Backcountry snow report: The good news is that snow levels are receding to the 9,000-foot level in the Sawtooth National Recreation Area. Trails out of Stanley Lake, Redfish Lake, Atlanta and Big Boulder Creek trailheads are all open ... although you may run into snow at the mountain lakes above. 

The Forest Service reports that there's still snow blocking portions of the Alice-Toxaway Loop in the Sawtooths, but the Iron Creek Trail leading to Alpine Lake and Sawtooth Lake is open to Sawtooth Lake. The lake itself is still reportedly frozen, but certainly on the melt! 

In the Payette National Forest, you still can't drive over Lick Creek Summit to reach Yellow Pine; snow is blocking the way. If you want to go to Yellow Pine, you can get there via Cascade - Warm Lake Highway to Landmark - Johnson Creek Road to Yellow Pine. The road to Landmark is open, so that means the campsites in that higher-elevation area are open, plus that's another way to reach Deadwood Reservoir. 

North of McCall, the road to Burgdorf and Warren is open. Not sure if Loon Lake Loop is passable yet. Bear Pete Trail from Cloochman Saddle might be snowy in places. 20-Mile Trail would be fine. Snowslide Trail and Box Lake trails likely still have snow. 

Call the local ranger stations closest to where you're thinking of going to get the latest information on snow levels and trail information. 

The Pioneer Mountains might be one of the better choices since that area didn't get as much snow last winter. You can get into the Pioneers via the East Fork of the Big Wood trailhead on Idaho Highway 75 or Trail Creek Road, leading to numerous access points in Copper Basin and the surrounding area. Here's a trip report on a great hike that Wendy and I did to Goat Lake and Betty Lake in the Pioneers. 

Going camping in the Sawtooth NRA? Don't forget your bear-proof cooler! 

FYI - The Forest Service has instituted a new policy regarding food coolers in the Sawtooth NRA area (Sawtooths and White Clouds, outside of the wilderness areas). Here's a link to the "Bear Aware" web page ... if you're picnicking or car-camping in the Sawtooth NRA, you are required to pack your food in a bear-resistant cooler (if left outside), inside your vehicle, inside a building or suspended 10 feet above the ground. The Forest Service is apparently writing tickets about this issue, so be Bear Aware!   

Food storage rules are in effect for this area.

Bogus Basin, Tamarack and Brundage Mountain open for the summer 

I rode Around the Mountain at Bogus Basin two weeks ago when it first opened, and it was outstanding! The creeks were roaring, and the trail wasn't dusty. That will change quickly! Still the wildflowers were spectacular! Quinn and I rode the 10-mile trail together just a week or so after he returned from college. Heading up to Bogus to enjoy a scenic chairlift ride, take a thrilling ride on the Mountain Coaster, go hiking or hang out and have a beer and a sandwich are all good options at Bogus. See the Bogus event calendar for more activities coming up!

Hiking at Brundage on a sun-kissed day

Brundage Mountain is opening for the summer season on Friday, June 18. Mountain biking and hiking trails are open top to bottom! Hidden Valley bike trails are closed still, but Zorro (double-diamond) is open. See the Brundage link for more information on operating hours in the coming weeks. Brundage also has a new trails conditions page. 

Brundage also will host a 4th of July Music Fest featuring the Dusty Huckleberries, French, Evans & Barr, and Laney Lou and the Bird Dogs. There's also a TGIF music series starting with West Mountain Takeover on Friday, June 19. See the Brundage events calendar for the whole lineup this summer.

Tamarack Resort is open for the summer season as well with scenic chairlift rides 7 days a week, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., lift-served mountain biking 7 days a week, food and beverage at the base area, zip lines and boat rentals. Chairlifts will be closed this weekend for the Northwest Challenge 3D Bow Hunt event, and on June 26-27 for the Northwest Cup Downhill Bike Races. Otherwise, the mountain is yours! 

Tamarack also is providing a live music series at Crusty's Restaurant in the village on Tuesday nights. See the Tamarack event calendar for the whole summer lineup of activities.

There you have it! Have a wonderful weekend!
- SS

Five fall hikes in SW Idaho that really shine this time of year!

Charcoal Gulch, Boise National Forest (courtesy Visit Idaho) 

Hi all, 

When I see beautiful bluebird days like we've been having lately, I start yearning to visit Silver City in the Owyhees, upper Dry Creek in the Boise Foothills, Charcoal Gulch in Idaho City, and some of my favorite trails around McCall. 

For my outdoor tip this week, I'll recommend five fall hikes below. All of these hikes are in my two hiking guides, Boise Trail Guide: 95 Hiking and Running Routes Close to Home or Owyhee Canyonlands - An Outdoor Adventure Guide. 

The weather looks absolutely stellar for the next 7-10 days in the Boise area and Central Idaho! Cool nights -- freezing cold in the high-mountain elevations -- warm afternoons in the 70s and low 80s, and comfortable evenings while it's still light. Nothing better! 

Before you go, for fall hiking, remember to pack a few more things such as a good rain/wind coat, a few extra upper layers, a good hat, skull cap? water, snacks and camera (your phone) and hiking poles. 

The Mountain Coaster! (Courtesy Bogus Basin) 

And now, for the hikes: 

1. Bogus Basin Mountain Recreation Area - It's the last weekend at Bogus where they'll be operating lifts, food and beverage. You can hike Deer Point to Elk Meadows and do a 5-mile around the hike or do the full 10-mile Around the Mountain hike, or something less or more. 

2. Charcoal Gulch, Idaho City - Take a drive to Idaho City and go for a nice colorful hike on the Charcoal Gulch Trail, just on the outskirts of town. Find the trail by the Idaho City Airport (ever been there?) on the south side of town. There's a little trailhead on the north side of the airport. Take the Buena Vista Trail along the edge of the mountain, and then you'll see the junction for Charcoal Gulch. There are aspens and pines along the way, plus a small creek.  

Silver City 

3. Silver City Sawpit Mountain Loop - It's an 8-5-mile loop that circumnavigates a timbered mountain with a bald pointy cap that looms over Silver City in the high-elevation community in the Owyhees. It's rated moderate to strenuous. The fall colors in Silver City should be starting to happen anytime! I wrote about this hike last fall for Idaho Press Outdoors. Please see my story for directions and details. 

4. Freddy's Stack Rock Trail - Stack Rock is a signature granite pyramid-shaped rock on a timbered ridge to the west of Bogus Basin Mountain Resort. It's a 9.5-mile hike or bike ride from the trailhead to do the loop around Freddy's Stack Rock Trail. I would rate the hike/ride as moderate to strenuous because of a number of continuous uphills along the way, the distance and 2,600-vertical-foot gain/loss. You're walking/riding in the pines throughout the route, except when you get to Stack Rock, so that makes it scenic and intimate. Take a lunch to enjoy on Stack Rock. 

Photo courtesy of Tom Lopez

Backstory: Approximately 1,300 acres of the Stack Rock area came into public ownership courtesy of a $1 million donation by Boise resident Fred Alleman and additional funds from the Boise Foothills Levy Committee. The land was purchased from the Terteling family in December 2009 for $1.32 million to make it available for public use. 

Directions: Park in the Forest Service parking lot and take the new trail over to Stock Rock/Sweet Connie junction to get started. Watch for the big parking lot on the right about Mile 12. 

You'll see a number of nifty bridges on the Dry Creek Trail ... keeping your feet dry.

5. Dry Creek out and back, Boise Foothills - Dry Creek is always a pretty hike, but especially right now, it should be great. The trailhead is off of Bogus Basin Road, several miles up from Boise, on the right side, as the road begins a series of hairpin switchbacks. You'll see other cars at the trailhead. It's a big day to hike to the top of the Boise Ridge via Dry Creek (7.5 miles, 2000+ vertical feet), so just take your time and go as far as you want. 



Have fun!
- SS 

Bogus Basin mountain bike festival, hiking Granite Mountain and house party for Lauren McLean

Riding at Bogus Basin is a pleasant alternative with cooler weather, shade and great trails! 

Hi all,

If you haven't been mountain biking at Bogus Basin this summer, this weekend looks like the perfect time to go.

Bogus is hosting a Mountain Bike Festival from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday. Chair #1 will be running to take folks to the top of Deer Point. There are guided rides for men, women and kids, professional riders competing in the "Whip-Off" big air challenge, demo bikes, raffles and more.

The event costs $45 through Friday, and $50 on Saturday. Register here: 

The goal, according to organizers, is to celebrate mountain biking by "bringing our passion-filled mountain bike community together." Meet new riding friends, meet local shops and services, get out and ride the trails and enjoy what should be a nice cool mountain day. Participating bike organizations and shops include SWIMBA, Central Idaho Mountain Biking Association (CIMBA), George's, Idaho Mountain Touring, Reed Cycles, Boise REI, World Cycle, Eagle Bike Shop, McU Sports, Rolling H Cycles, and Kore North Bicycles.

I love the trails at Bogus. If you haven't gotten to know the trail system up there, you need to. IMBA rated the Around the Mountain Trail at Bogus the best in the state of Idaho! 


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Granite Mountain summit and USFS lookout. Elevation 8,500 feet.

Hike Granite Mountain

I went for a fun hike to the top of Granite Mountain last Saturday while I was in McCall. Here's a link to my Facebook pics. I'd rate the hike "moderate." It was 3+ miles to the top of Granite Mountain from the trailhead off the Goose Lake Road. Travel time was about 4+ hours round-trip.

The views on top are fantastic. There's a manned Forest Service lookout tower on top. You can see the Wallowas and Seven Devils to the west, Meadows Valley and the Little Salmon canyon leading down to Riggins, the northwest corner of "the Frank," the Payette Crest off to the east, and Brundage Mountain, and Long Valley to the south.

Granite Mountain is the giant hulk of mountain that looms to the west of McCall when you approach the mountain community. Brundage provides snowcat powder skiing trips on Granite, and I have had some legendary times up there on the mountain.
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House party for Lauren McLean 

The political race for Mayor of Boise is under way. I have known Lauren McLean since the first $10 million open space campaign 1999-2001, and she has been a proven champion of open space and trails for the Boise Foothills ever since. I still feel that winning that initial open space campaign was a transformative event for the City of Boise, and now there's huge community support for open space, trails, conservation and water quality.

Mayor Bieter has had four terms to lead Boise, and I think a lot of people feel they are ready for a change.

My partner Wendy Wilson and I are co-hosting a house party on Thursday, Aug. 29, for Lauren at our home at 3209 N. 39th Street in NW Boise. Sam Sandmire and Cary Hattabaugh, Diane Ronayne, Zack Waterman, Nicole LeFavour, Suki and Bill Molina, and Elena Lansing are co-hosting. 

We are inviting folks to come hear Lauren speak about her priorities for the City of Boise moving forward, even if you haven't made up your mind. We are inviting outdoorsy and conservation types. Shiny Shoe Bob is playing music, and we'll have food, wine and beer.

If you're interested in coming to the house party, please RSVP to wwwilderness3920@gmail.com. 

Please see our Facebook invite for more information.    
- SS