Boise area - weekday mountain drives

[Scott R Nelson]

On Friday morning (24-June-2022) I'm planning to take my Bronco up to the top of War Eagle Mountain above Silver City and one other mountain peak to the east of there that I'm not sure the name of.

If you're interested in coming with, send me a message and we'll connect. It shouldn't require any great 4x4 skills, we'll just be out seeing beautiful scenery up high in the Owyhee Mountains.

I plan to do stuff like this about once a week when I'm in town (will be traveling a bit in July), so maybe this thread could be a good place to connect for informal trips like this.

Here's a photo from a couple of weeks ago on a trip to Prairie, just because:

Sponsored

 

[Scott R Nelson]

The Bronco did great climbing to the top of the two highest peaks in the Owyhees. It seems to get better the more I drive it.

Here I am at the top of War Eagle Mountain, looking toward Boise and Meridian:

At the steep part of the road to Hayden Peak, where I had to turn around two years ago on my motorcycle:

And here I am at the top, looking toward civilization:

 

[Scott R Nelson]

Tomorrow, Tuesday, July 26, 2022 I'll be headed up to the top of Scott Mountain northwest of Lowman.

Contact me if you're interested.

 

[Scott R Nelson]

My wife enjoyed this one.

Lots of wildflowers up in the hills.

This lookout was the goal of today's drive. There's a guy named Bruce up there looking for fires off in the distance. He's happy to explain everything and point out all of the mountains and valleys that you can see from up there.

The view from the lookout.

The view on the way back down.

 

[Scott R Nelson]

Tomorrow, Thursday, August 4, 2022 I'll be heading up to Thorn Creek Butte above Arrow Rock Reservoir. It will be about six hours of dirt roads between heading up there from Mountain Home and coming back out in Idaho City. Contact me if you're interested in tagging along.

Photos from the last time I was up there in June:

 

[Scott R Nelson]

Did nearly 100 miles off dirt road driving with this one. Headed in from Highway 20 out of Mountain Home. Went through Prairie, did a little bit of Arrowrock Rd, then up 377 and 203 to the top at Thorn Creek Butte. From there, down 304 into Idaho City. Visibility was less than last time I was up there. The guy in the fire lookout said that it blew in from CA or OR that morning. Here are a few photos:

At our lunch stop long the North Fork of the Boise River before heading up 377:

View from the lookout at the top (at 7550 ft):

The dog that hunts squirrels up there:

 

[Scott R Nelson]

Somebody please let me know if it is worth the bother of posting this stuff. If nobody thinks they could do a 100-200 mile drive in the mountains during the week, I might stop sharing my trips.

So far, three trips posted and zero feedback.

 

[Scott R Nelson]

I'll just post results of local trips until somebody shows some interest in coming along.

This was yesterday headed down to the Snake River, upstream of Swan Falls. The closer road down is a tough one, the roughest I've been on so far, and that includes some stuff in Moab. I've been there multiple times on my motorcycles, so I'm familiar with it. Sorry that I didn't take any photos of the tough spots. Coming back up the other road further east was quite a bit easier.

Up above the Snake river where the power lines cross. A few rough sections getting to that spot.

The road headed down, after all the rough stuff was behind me.

Down at the river.

 

[Scott R Nelson]

Might as well toss in a few photos from last week, when I took a neighbor to the top of Hayden Peak, the highest point in the Owyhee Mountains at 8400 feet. Went up War Eagle too, but that's not quite so picturesque.

All are at the top of Hayden Peak:

Looking out toward Boise:

 

[Scott R Nelson]

More photos from yesterday. I took my wife along the entire length of Boise Ridge Rd from Rocky Canyon on the south, past Bogus Basin, to Harris Creek Rd, then across and up to the top of Hawley Mountain (7300 feet). Forest roads 275 and 374 all the way.

 

[Scott R Nelson]

Today's drive was to the top of Pilot Peak, then across Highway 21 to the top of Sunset Mountain. I took the roughest of the four routes, starting in Idaho City on Bear Run.

It's not as smooth as the other three routes up Pilot Peak

Quite a few steep rough places on this route

A simple stream crossing, right? It looks like it's about eight inches deep, but you seem to sink another eight inches into the mud going across it. Not fun on a motorcycle.

This is what's at the top of Pilot Peak

View from the top of Pilot Peak

Not all trees up there are green

What's at the top of Sunset Mountain

The view from Sunset Mountain

 

[Scott R Nelson]

Took my wife to Yellow Pine. It is beautiful up there especially with the smoke gone..

Heading in on Johnson Creek Rd.

Beautiful downtown Yellow Pine.

Headed out toward McCall on "Lick Crick" Rd.

 

[Glens 67]

Scott;
I am interested in going with you guys. I have a 2022 Badlands 2.7 4 door, Eruption Green. Just getting back into 4 wheeling. Had a Toyota 1982 4X4 Truck. Many Rubicon Trail trips in California. It has been a while since doing any serious 4X4 trips...
I am in Middleton.
I also have 2 Can Am ATVs. Lots of hunting trips, Wilson Creek, and favorite Hunting up by Elk City.
Picked up the Badlands 9/21/2022.

 

[Scott R Nelson]

Thursday of this week (Oct 6th) or any day next week after Monday (Oct 11-14). I'm planning to go to Pilot Peak and Sunset Mountain (which is across the way), taking back roads from Idaho City.

Let me know what day works for you and we'll work out the rest of the details.


Photos from today's trip out to Silver City:

Stopped at Fairview Cemetery where people who died in the 1870's were buried.

At the top of War Eagle Mountain.

A few autumn leaves where the road splits off to go to Silver City. They were more vivid in person.

 

[Scott R Nelson]

Went out to Atlanta to see the autumn leaves. "Glens 67", you could have come on this if you had just contacted me. There are more to come.

Quiet a few autumn leaves along the way.

The summit, half-way between Featherville and Atlanta.

Beautiful downtown Atlanta.

Took a slight detour to the top of Pilot Peak on the way back.

Sponsored