Mountain Biking in Designated Wilderness Areas - Bondy's Opinion

Originally posted on January 17, 2019

Geotagged at 42.6825104, -116.4756164

Link to photo: https://photos.app.goo.gl/CaLoeCnRLADyR1KH8


There is an ongoing debate about whether mountain biking should be allowed in designed U.S. wilderness areas. Currently, it is not allowed. As a mountain biker and public lands advocate, this debate tugs at my desire to mountain bike and desire to preserve a portion of our nation's natural wonders for future generations.

Living in Idaho, the wilderness designation isn't as restricting as it is in more populated areas such as San Diego County, California. In Idaho, we are blessed with a huge amount of non-wilderness public lands. We also have a huge amount of wilderness, too. If you are willing to do the work, you could ride a different trail/road every day for a month and never cross your own tire tracks. Lucky!

But should we allow mountain biking in our designated wilderness areas? Let discuss that issue.

What Does the Wilderness Act of 1964 State?

Reference: https://www.justice.gov/enrd/wilderness-act-1964

I believe it's important to look at the law before making any judgments. Many years ago, I believed we should allow mountain biking in wilderness areas. But I didn't do any research. And without doing the research on this issue, my opinion was just an uninformed emotional opinion.

Here is a snippet from the Wilderness Act:

"Section 2.(a) In order to assure that an increasing population, accompanied by expanding settlement and growing mechanization, does not occupy and modify all areas within the United States and its possessions, leaving no lands designated for preservation and protection in their natural condition, it is hereby declared to be the policy of the Congress to secure for the American people of present and future generations the benefits of an enduring resource of wilderness."

It's Clear - The Law States No MTBing in Wilderness Areas

Snippet:

PROHIBITION OF CERTAIN USES(c) Except as specifically provided for in this Act, and subject to existing private rights, there shall be no commercial enterprise and no permanent road within any wilderness area designated by this Act and, except as necessary to meet minimum requirements for the administration of the area for the purpose of this Act (including measures required in emergencies involving the health and safety of persons within the area), there shall be no temporary road, no use of motor vehicles, motorized equipment or motorboats, no landing of aircraft, no other form of mechanical transport, and no structure or installation within any such area.

I'm going with the thought that "no other form of mechanical transport" written into the law means mountain biking is prohibited in designated wilderness areas. It cannot be much more clear, however, we should also realize mountain bikes didn't come on to the scene until the mid-late 1970s.

Standing on a wilderness boundary in Owyhee County, Idaho

Photo is Geotagged at 42.6583366, -115.6986999

Can a Designated Wilderness Areas be Modified?

Good question, huh?

It appears as if a wilderness area can be modified according to the Wilderness Act of 1964, as shown in the snippet below.

Proposed modification. (e) Any modification or adjustment of boundaries of any wilderness area shall be recommended by the appropriate Secretary [of the Interior] after public notice of such proposal and public hearing or hearings as provided in subsection (d) of this section. The proposed modification or adjustment shall then be recommended with map and description thereof to the President. The President shall advise the United States Senate and the House of Representatives of his recommendations with respect to such modification or adjustment and such recommendations shall become effective only in the same manner as provided for in subsections (b) and (c) of this section.

In my non-lawyer opinion, the modification of wilderness areas is necessarily a cumbersome procedure. It involves, at the minimum, the president, both chambers of the House and public hearings to modify a designated wilderness area. But it appears it can be done.

Understand, government writing and its lingo, including our laws, confuse the hell out of me. I have to read most government documents three or four times before I start to understand what they mean. And even when I do figure out what the government documents mean, determining the future implications is just as vexing to me. 

Do you agree that designed wilderness areas can be modified [made smaller], when reading the Wilderness Act of 1964?

Link to a Google Documents copy of the Wilderness Act of 1964:
 https://docs.google.com/document/d/16ENAzakpCXV03AOP1Jst5ORCfzoWzyKYF4EDGbKeB7Y/edit?usp=sharing

San Diego County Area Mountain Biking is Hemmed in by Wilderness

About 157,000 acres of wilderness

From 1974 through the early 80s I lived in San Diego County, California. I attend high school and college in the San Diego area and then I joined the U.S. Air Force and moved away. However, during the time I lived in California, I acquired a love of the San Diego County backcountry before any wilderness areas were established. Someday I will return to that area with plans to mountain bike and hike in the Boulevard, Jacumba and McCain Valley areas. 

The map above shows the wilderness areas that hem in the San Deigo mountain biking scene. 

Interactive Wilderness Map Link: https://umontana.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=a415bca07f0a4bee9f0e894b0db5c3b6

About 276,000 acres of wilderness

In my local play area of southwestern Idaho, I have about 700,000 acres of public lands to roam, fish, hike and mountain bike on. The Owyhee Canyonlands Wilderness are highlighted in green and encompass 276,000 acres that mountain biking is not allowed. But as I mentioned above, I also have a ton more opportunity to find suitable and legally rideable mountain biking terrain than my friends in San Diego County, California will ever have.

My Opinion - No Riding in Designated Wilderness Areas

In my opinion, backed up by what I believe is the spirit and intent of current law, we should not and cannot allow mountain biking in this nation's wilderness areas. But I sympathize with my mountain biking friends that live in the more populated portions of the U.S. like San Diego that are hemmed in by wilderness.

"We should not and cannot allow mountain biking in this nation's wilderness areas." ~ Tim Bondy on Jan. 14, 2019

The only solace I can find for those who have a need to ride is that they have the opportunity to get those designated wilderness areas modified and turn a portion of that land into something other than wilderness. It will take a lot of very frustrating work/time and you may not be able to chunk out a portion of the land for mountain biking but that is the way the system works.

What? That's not Fair? 

If wilderness is hemming you in and you believe I am wrong when I say mountain biking should never be allowed in designed wilderness areas then I say life isn't fair. But also realize, I live in a place where restaurants, shopping, and culture do not exist. I also live in a place were abundant and good paying jobs do not exist. I also have awesome mountain biking, fishing, and hiking opportunities.

I have traded one aspect of living for a different aspect of living. You may not be able to afford to move to southern Idaho and I certainly cannot afford to move to a place where there the weather allows me to comfortably ride 365 days a year. That's life, baby!

I will be glad to show you around my little area of Idaho for some uncrowded mountain biking. Contact me and I'll arrange some riding where you'll likely never see another biker on the trails.



Last updated on January 17, 2019

Thanks,

~ signed ~

Tim Bondy
Freelance Writer & Citizen Journalist
.
I am a proud citizen journalist, aka "enemy of the American People!"

Mountain Bike Up A Danskin Peak ... Again?

Originally Posted: May 30, 2018

This is my insight about a mountain biking trip up a local peak plus a few photographs.

This ride is located in the Danskin Mountains of southern Idaho. The rough and tumble dirt track is mainly county-owned and it tracks through some private property (legal to transit through), plus some State of Idaho and National Forest Service lands.

Depending on your physical fitness level, this non-technical ride could be rated strenuous or just a "good work-out" type of ride. The views are typical Danskin Mountain views until you hit the five-mile mark and then the horizon opens up for spectacular views. It's the views that make this #mtb ride worth the sweat and toil.

"For what it's worth, this was my second attempt to ride the peak and my second failed try." 

The Photographs

Walking is part of this ride 

Photography of some of the scenery. The Praire, Idaho flats

The road gets steep and rutted

A grand panoramic 

A high mountain lake? 

The road seems to go on forever

The Giant Talon 2 and the author

Cool rock

A perspective.

Elmore County Outdoor Concierge Services

If you are looking for a place to ride, hike, rockhound or fish in southwestern Idaho, I will plan that trip for you. Read more about this simple and easy service at https://timbondy.blogspot.com/p/elmore-county-outdoor-concierge-services.html

Last updated on May 31, 2018.

Thanks,

~ signed ~


Tim Bondy
Freelance Writer & Citizen Journalist

I am currently a proud citizen journalist, aka "enemy of the American People!"

Protection For 2 Millions Acres of Public Land Gone

The Secretary of the Department of the Interior helped President Trump slash protection on 2 million acres of public lands during a recent ceremony in Salt Lake City. These posers didn't even step foot on the two national monuments they just shrunk in size. Cowards ... all of them. 

On December 4, 2017, we the people, lost much of the protections on 2 million acres of public lands in Utah. Some will celebrate and other will be disappointed. Me? I'm annoyed more than you can imagine.

From the Patagonia website

But I'm getting old and these lands won't mean as much to me before too long. My hiking and biking distances will surely get to the point I'll be able to do both in a large parking lot. When that happens I'll just trespass at the local Walmart or convenience store.

It's the younger generations that will suffer if this trend of relaxing the "monument" protections of prime outdoor recreation lands for the extractive industries like mining, oil, and gas plus increased ranching activity on our lands.

These are the Trump supporters who would rather see our public lands "shared heavily" with the extractive industry - Idaho Congressional Delegation.

I urge this younger generation to insist your mostly old and gray representatives who rarely if ever, step foot on a hiking trail or bike a single track should keep their fucking hands off our land and not let it fall into the hands of corporations.

You are the crowd that will suffer, so stand up and tell them what you think. Be loud, be proud and be relentless. These politicians will have to deal with your huge numbers in the future but are free to do as they please right now. While I'm not sure they even care about their own constituents, they obviously care about the future of their failing political party. Without your young voice, the Republican raping and pillaging of our public lands will surely continue. Dec. 4, 2017, was the opening salvo. 

Trump Supporters Repent

Look, I have neighbors who sing the praise of our new knuckleheaded president. These same neighbors who hate it when a dog leaves a steaming pile on their lawn or even tinkles in their grass, don't seem to mind when regulations preventing mining companies from dumping mine waste into our local streams and rivers are rescinded. Stupid, mindless Fox News loving imbeciles?

The Republican Theory: Pee on the grass =  Bad -///- Toxic mine waste = Great

Obama's Protections Revisited

On December 28, 2017, this is what President Obama said about the creation of the Bear Ears National Monument. (Emphasis mine)

Today, I am designating two new national monuments in the desert landscapes of southeastern Utah and southern Nevada to protect some of our country’s most important cultural treasures, including abundant rock art, archeological sites, and lands considered sacred by Native American tribes. Today’s actions will help protect this cultural legacy and will ensure that future generations are able to enjoy and appreciate these scenic and historic landscapes. Importantly, today I have also established a Bears Ears Commission to ensure that tribal expertise and traditional knowledge help inform the management of the Bears Ears National Monument and help us to best care for its remarkable national treasures.

Following years of public input and various proposals to protect both of these areas, including legislation and a proposal from tribal governments in and around Utah, these monuments will protect places that a wide range of stakeholders all agree are worthy of protection. We also have worked to ensure that tribes and local communities can continue to access and benefit from these lands for generations to come.

Trump's Fake Protection Proclamation 

“My main concern with monuments to make sure public access is protected, and that hunting and fishing rights are intact. Bears Ears is 1.5 million acres. Is that size the smallest area necessary? What does the local community think?” - Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke

My Promise Stands

If like-minded individuals, including a significant number of the 18-40 year old crowd will fight the Trump Administration and his supporters like the entire Idaho Congressional Delegation over our public lands, I will publicly stand with you. But I won't stand alone.


This story was originally published on December 6, 2017.

Thanks,





Tim Bondy
Freelance Writer & Citizen Journalist

I am currently a proud citizen journalist, aka, "enemy of the American People!"

Hike to Peak 5651 in the Owyhees above Perjue Canyon

This cross-country hike in the Owyhee Front south of Grand View, Idaho heads up a rather unique butte like area that I first climbed earlier this year. A different yet similar route up resulted in a completely different experience. Crazy cool views too.

From near Peak 5651 looking north towards the Snake River Plains

The Story

About 45 miles south of a small town just off Interstate 84 is a lonely rural road not many people travel. This road starts out paved but as it touches the Owyhee Front, it becomes a sometimes well-maintained gravel road that heads into a desolate part of southern Idaho. It is from this road that outdoor adventures can be found and I have ... quite often.

On November 26, 2017, I headed south out of Nowhere Town, Idaho, on a windy and variable cloudiness day. And it was warm with temperatures in the upper 50F. As I arrived at the trailhead, I realized the last human I saw was a rancher/farmer 20 minutes earlier going the opposite direction.

The sun highlights Peak 5651 

With my backpack strapped on, camera/GPS/digital map device calibrated and ready for a steep hike up towards a sheer rock wall only one mile to the east, I place one foot in front of the other and pushed off. I entered the Little Jacks Creek Wilderness just steps from my parking spot and didn't leave it for the next 3.5 hours.

The desolate beauty of this area obviously escapes most people who live in southern Idaho. Not many people come down to this easily accessible sagebrush steppe desert area other than hunters and OHR riders. While hiking trails in this part of the world are almost non-existent, the massive opportunity for cross-country hiking is undeniable.

Perjue Canyon is in the background.

During this hike, I decided to not hike up to Peak 5651. Instead, I wander down towards Perjue Canyon. That canyon was quite rugged looking as I sat on a rock outcropping eating lunch. The decision to forego the peak was because of some miserable decisions as I approach the cliffs below. That decision lead me up through a steep scree-like field except the scree was cantaloupe and way larger in size. In other words, leg or ankle breakers.

My truck and the BLM Poison Creek Picnic Site can be seen from this wilderness land

The hike back to my vehicle was uneventful as my decision making suddenly got better. There was one fenceline to deal with on the journey and I found what looked like a game trail for a long stretch of the return. Probably a game trail? I also walked among the cow patties for most of this hike. It's hard to understand how cattle could still be roaming the Peak 5651 area as it's all official wilderness lands. I have an inquiry in with the BLM on this issue.

The Hike Details

Date Of Hike: November 26, 2017, but also March 12, 2017
Name of Hike / Ride: Owyhee Front Peak 5651 and Perjue Canyon Hike
Name Of KML/KMZ: OWY - Peak 5651 and Perjue Canyon Hike - 26Nov2017
Link To Photographs: https://photos.app.goo.gl/fovjI9qdBlzWfa362
Total Hike Mileage: 3.82 miles
Vertical Feet: +1,505 feet / -1,505 feet
Average Slope: +14.9% / -14.6%
Elevation Ranges: 4,439 feet / 5,489 feet
Hike Time: 3 hours 30 minutes
Facilities At Trailhead: Pit toilet close-by and picnic tables
Gear Used: New Balance hiking  boots and Outdoor Product hiking pole
Land Ownership: 100% Wilderness
Road Mileage from Boise, Idaho to Trailhead: 76 miles
Online Map of This Hiking Adventure: It's available by contacting through this website.

Outdoor Concierge Service

An online map of this hiking/biking/fishing adventure is available by using the “Contact Me” form on this site or leaving me a comment on this story stating your wishes.

If you would like more information about mountain biking, hiking, rockhounding or any type of adventures in the (Danskin Mountains, along the Bruneau-Jarbidge Rivers Wilderness or Bruneau Desert), I will be glad to discuss some outdoor options. Use the contact form on this site I'll get back to you.

In Decline Statement

If venturing to this area, please understand the local opinion is my hometown of Mountain Home, Idaho, is a city in decline. There are some businesses thriving, but not many. Your best options are to avoid the place completely and stock up on food, supplies, and gas elsewhere. #MountainHomeIdaho #CityInDecline

This story was originally published on December 3, 2017.

Thanks,





Tim Bondy
Freelance Writer & Citizen Journalist

I am currently a proud citizen journalist, aka, "enemy of the American People!"

Peakbagging The Edge Of The Danskin Mountains

A late November 2017 peakbagging hike where I collected three peaks and some great views of southern Idaho's desert mountains.

The three peaks I bagged on Nov. 22, 2017

The Story

This was a late season hike and the way Idaho's weather can close in on me, it was supposed to be just a quick scramble to the top of Peak 5378. But my trained meteorological eyes told me the weather was obviously going to cooperate for the entire day so I decided to add a few peaks to the hike.

Steepness

I believe officially the hike was in the Danskin Mountains but geographically and geologically the route seemed more like the Mount Bennett Hills instead. The trailhead is just a wide spot on a dirt road and heads pretty quickly up a rather steep grade. There are no trails up this lava rock escarpment. 

During the first hour of the hike up, there was a 500-foot section of 39% average slope and places that seemed more cliff-like than trail. I try not to look down and I do better when things get steep like that.

Peak 5285

Self-named Peak 5285 (Blue Dot) took this old codger less than an hour to plant my boots on it. The view over the Snake River Plains, Bennett Mountain and the snow-capped peaks of the Soldier and Trinity Mountains were all quite visible from the peak. The name "peak" is being generous as it wasn't readily apparent where the unofficial peak was even on a topo map. My 7.5-minute quad topo map does show a closed contour giving me the opportunity to call it a "peak."

Next ...

A one-half mile hike to the northwest put me on another self-named peak. Peak 5377 is a little more visually prominent than Peak 5285 providing different views. Being a little closer to the Long Tom Creek, that river valley stood out as did the Snake River Plains. From the peak, I could easily see a two-track dirt road leading to my final destination and that was a little unexpected.

Peak 5377

Peak 5378 was less than one-half mile away and I took advantage of that path. As peaks go, it certainly didn't stand out as much of a feature. It's also where the two-track deadends. Again, the views were spectacular. I could easily see out to the Soldier Mountains, the Trinity Mountains, The Owyhee Mountains and the Jarbidge Mountains in Nevada. There is also a place where Long Tom Reservoir is visible and the juxtaposition of the deep blue against the nearly solid tan landscape of this area was striking.

The view of Long Tom Reservoir from Peak 5378

There were two features I found during the hike that I couldn't explain. See the two photos below for a good visual. The bottom photo shows a metal post recently drilled into solid rock on Peak 5378. The other was a small fenced-in area near the trailhead. If you have an explanation, leave a comment or use my contact form.

A small fenced area but why so small an area?

A metal post drilled into solid rock and recently painted

The Hike Details

Date Of Hike: November 22, 2017
Name of Hike: Hike To Peak 5378
Link To Photographs: https://photos.app.goo.gl/mtMRYiDtN9jCuCok2
Total HikeMileage: 3.2 mile out and back hike
Vertical Feet: +1,383 feet / -1,378 feet
Average Slope: +16.2% / -15.8%
Elevation Ranges: 4,503 feet / 5,379 feet
Total Time On Trail: 3 hours 20 minutes
Facilities At Trailhead: None
Gear Used: New Balance hiking boots, Outdoor Product hiking stick
Land Ownership: 100% BLM public lands
Road Mileage from Boise, Idaho to Trailhead: 56.5 miles
Online Map of This Adventure: It's available and should contact me or leave a comment stating your wishes.

Outdoor Concierge Service

An online map of this hiking/biking/fishing adventure is available by using the “Contact Me” form on this site or leaving me a comment on this story stating your wishes.

If you would like more information about mountain biking, hiking, rockhounding or any type of adventures in the (Danskin Mountains, along the Bruneau-Jarbidge Rivers Wilderness or Bruneau Desert), I will be glad to discuss some outdoor options. Use the contact form on this site I'll get back to you.

In Decline Statement 

If venturing to this area, please understand the local opinion is my hometown of Mountain Home, Idaho is a city in decline. There are some businesses thriving, but not many. Your best options are to avoid the place completely and stock up on food, supplies, and gas elsewhere. #MountainHomeIdaho #CityInDecline

This story was originally published on November 24, 2017.

Thanks,





Tim Bondy
Freelance Writer & Citizen Journalist

I am currently a proud citizen journalist, aka, "enemy of the American People!"

Mountain Bike Ride To The Big Draw Near The Bruneau-Jarbidge Rivers Wilderness

Mountain Bike Ride To The "Big Draw" In The Bruneau-Jarbidge Rivers Wilderness Canyon

This is a photograph of the Big Draw

Summary of a ride: This little-visited part of the Owyhee County, Idaho is called the Bruneau Desert and my mountain bike ride took me out next to the Bruneau-Jarbidge Rivers Wilderness area. The true and official wilderness is literally two steps from my Giant Talon 2 bike (in the photo above) while the rest of the land is 100% publicly owned. During this October 18, 2017, ride, I gained a new appreciation for this part of our country. If you want a truly unique place to ride, this southern Idaho area would be one of the locations you should seek out.

More information about the Bruneau–Jarbidge Rivers Wilderness can be found at https://www.blm.gov/visit/bruneau-jarbidge-rivers-wilderness-area

The Story: Finding a place to park and use as a trailhead was a little difficult because almost the entire ride is on narrow two-track ranching roads. The chances of encountering another vehicle are pretty slim but one doesn't want to impede neither ranchers nor the occasional hunter on their way to fill a deer or elk tag. I found a spot.

The trailhead and parking area for the Big Draw Ride

I had the entire ride planned out and annotated on my 7.5-minute topo maps. It seemed like a pretty straightforward ride but I missed my first turn that would have taken me towards the deep river canyon. As it turned out, missing the turn wasn't a negative. It got me to the "Big Draw" portion of the canyon and it was spectacular. I would have come upon the Big Draw later in the ride but being fresh when coming upon such awe-inspiring scenery is better. Good for me.

The landscape when unable to view any of the deep river gorges in the area is actually quite unremarkable and dare I say, boring. It's also quite flat. The mountain biking couldn't ever be called technical by any means but there was still some dangerous bits to ride. Let's just say tumbleweeds cover many of the small draws and that dead vegetation tends to cover up large bolder and basketball sized rocks on the not-ever-maintained two-tracks. Just a fair warning.

The sagebrush steppe of the Bruneau Desert in Idaho. My lunch stop too.

On this Wednesday afternoon I was riding, two A-10 fighter aircraft were flying through the nearby canyon. Quite impressive to watch these weird looking aircraft flying, nap of the earth, 300 yards from the two track I was navigating. Very cool. Seeing those A-10 aircraft isn't unusual because the U.S. Air Force maintains a bombing range a few miles to the east.


The Ride Details
Date Of Hike / Ride: October 18, 2017
Name of Hike / Ride: Mountain Bike Ride To The Big Draw Near The Bruneau-Jarbidge Rivers Wilderness Canyon
Link To Photographs: https://photos.app.goo.gl/fNfYsEAwyRMEjfld2
Total Biking Mileage: 13.8 miles
Vertical Feet: +669 feet / -689 feet
Average Slope: +1.7% / -1.5%
Elevation Ranges: 3,401 feet / 3,736 feet
Total Time On Trails: 2 hours 40 minutes
Facilities At Trailhead: None
Land Ownership: 100% BLM public lands
Gear Used: 2017 Giant Talon 2 Mountain Bike
Road Mileage from Boise, Idaho to Trailhead: 79.7 miles

Outdoor Concierge Service: If you would like more information about mountain biking, hiking, rockhounding or any type of outdoor adventures along the Bruneau-Jarbidge Rivers Wilderness or Bruneau Desert, I will be glad to discuss some outdoor options. Use the contact form on this site or leave a comment and I'll get back to you.

In Decline Statement: If venturing to this area, please understand the local opinion is my hometown of Mountain Home, Idaho is a city in decline. There are some businesses thriving, but not many. Your best options are to avoid the place completely and stock up on food, supplies, and gas elsewhere. #MountainHomeIdaho #CityInDecline

This story was originally published on November 4, 2017.

Thanks,



Tim Bondy
Freelance Writer & Citizen Journalist

I am currently a proud citizen journalist, aka, "enemy of the American People!"

Peak Bagging Opal Mountain Area of the Owyhee Mountains

Free-Hiking The Owyhee Mountains of Idaho in October 2017

Opal Mountain or Peak 4602 is where I was headed. 

Summary of a local hike: The first real hike of the fall is highlighted in this post. The Owyhee Mountains of southern Idaho have been my cold season go-to recreation location for many years. With a cloudy and windy day predicted by weather experts, I decided some peak bagging was in order.

The Story: I named a peak in this area "Opal Mountain" about five years ago and this hike would take me back to the same mountain but I would be approaching the peak from a different direction. Peak 4602 is normally attacked from the north starting at a parking area off the Poison Creek Cut-off Road. This hike started from the Poison Creek Canyon heading south on a narrow hiking/motorcycle trail in the creekbed.

Vein of jasper

I then headed west toward the not-so-distant peaks and just linked from one peak to the next. I had no real destination but did want to explore this area a little more than I did in the past. The geology of this small area is interesting. There are pockets and veins of opal, agate, and jasper in an otherwise sterile rockhounding environment. The rocks are the reason I keep coming back here.

Overall, I bagged about four minor peaks and three named peaks during this 3.5 hour wandering of the Owyhee Mountains. This place is an ideal place to get away from it all. In the 10 times I've been out in this area, it rare that I encounter another person. On this day, Oct. 11, 2017, I saw one truck on the main dirt road and a parked RV off in the distance.

The Hike Details
Date Of Hike: October 11, 2017
Name of Hike / Ride: Peak Bagging Opal Mountain Area of the Owyhee Mountains
Link To Photographs: https://photos.app.goo.gl/UoS9gREY0jdveT3p1
Total Hike: 4.40 miles
Vertical Feet: +1,502 feet / -1,504 feet
Average Slope: +12.2% / -13.6%
Elevation Ranges: 3,660 feet / 4,626 feet
Approximate Time On Trail: 3 hours 30 minutes
Facilities At Trailhead: None
Land Ownership: 100% BLM public lands
Road Mileage from Boise, Idaho to Trailhead: 73 miles
Online Map of This Hike: It's available and should contact me or leave a comment stating your wishes.

Outdoor Concierge Service: If you would like more information about mountain biking, hiking, rockhounding or any type of outdoor adventures along the Owyhee Front, I will be glad to discuss some outdoor options.

In Decline Statement: If venturing to this area, please understand the local opinion is my hometown of Mountain Home, Idaho is a city in decline. There are some businesses thriving, but not many. Your best options are to avoid the place completely and stock up on food, supplies, and gas elsewhere. #MountainHomeIdaho #CityInDecline

This story was originally published on November 3, 2017.

Thanks,



Tim Bondy
Freelance Writer & Citizen Journalist

I am currently a proud citizen journalist, aka, "enemy of the American People!"

Teapot Dome Hike on October 19, 2017

A local hike in the southwestern Idaho's Bennett Mountain Hills in October 2017 is discussed in this post.

This was the path I took down the mountain. The summit is not visible in the photograph.

Summary of a local hike: This hike was more of a “get out and get some exercise” type of hike than an adventure. It can be done in short order so it’s a good “after work” or “just don’t want to sit around” activity for visitors to Mountain Home and Elmore County, Idaho.

This “canary in a mine” hike documents my physical fitness improvement in the last few years. In 2012, I could barely summit this local peak. I found this hike to still be a little strenuous but the biggest challenge was making sure I didn’t twist my ankle on the rocky ground.

The Hike Details
Date Of Hike: October 19, 2017
Name of Hike: Teapot Dome Canary in the Mine
Link To Photographs: https://photos.app.goo.gl/yjb6UywmTQgAK8nL2
Total Hike Mileage: 2.56 miles
Vertical Feet: +1,098 feet / -1,098 feet
Average Slope: +15.9% / -15.9%
Elevation Ranges: 3,741 feet / 4,717 feet
Hike Time From Trailhead To Summit: 1 hour 30 minutes
Facilities At Trailhead: None
Land Ownership: 100% BLM public lands
Road Mileage from Boise, Idaho to Trailhead: 54 miles

If venturing to this area, please understand the small town of Mountain Home, Idaho is a city in decline. Your best options are to avoid the place completely and stock up on food, supplies, and gas elsewhere. #MountainHomeIdaho #CityInDecline

If you would like more information about mountain biking, hiking, rockhounding or any type of outdoor adventures along the Owyhee Front, I will be glad to discuss your options.

This story was originally published on October 24, 2017.

Thanks,



Tim Bondy
Freelance Writer & Citizen Journalist

I am currently a proud citizen journalist, aka, "enemy of the American People!"

The Big Draw MTB Ride in the Bruneau Desert

A mountain bike ride high above the desolation of the Bruneau-Jarbidge Rivers Wilderness of Idaho.

The fear of falling was a motivator for not getting too close to the edge.

Summary of a Mountain Bike Ride: This ride was originally part of a longer ride in the desert southeast of Bruneau, Idaho on October 18, 2017. Located in the desolated region containing the Bruneau River Canyon and only 70 ‘as-the-crow-flies’ miles southeast of Boise makes this a good day ride to see some spectacular scenery.

The Ride: The approach road was 6-9 miles of washboard and rutted gravel road with the main problem finding safe parking off Blackstone-Grasmere road. I found my safe spot about 2 miles further into the desert than I originally intended.

Once on my bike, the gently rolling hills made biking a little more interesting. Gravel/dirt roads in this area aren’t marked very well and from my experience, they aren’t maintained very often either. To highlight this point I completely missed my first turn heading east towards the canyons. Later in the day, I came out that road and I understand why I missed the turn on this loop-type ride. It didn't even look like a road nor a trail.

This is the turn or intersection I missed. It's on the left ;-)

The highlight of the trip was riding down more widely traveled unnamed trail that followed the rim of an unnamed canyon to a spit of land high above the Bruneau River Canyon. The view from that spit of land was dizzying and spectacular. Really … it was “Wow.”

Once I took in the views from all sides of that spit of land, I headed back to find the trail I should have been on before riding this road. Yes, I did have maps and had the capability to get back on the original circuit that I planned. But once I discovered I missed that first turn, I decided riding the planned loop in reverse couldn’t hurt. The bonus being I was staying on my published route.

The loop road was turned out to be a two-track that wasn’t marked. This loop part of the ride is an official BLM jeep trail while the trail out to the canyon rim is not. My expectation was this part of the ride would be flat and a speedy ride. That didn’t pan out either.

There is an Air Force A-10 aircraft in this photo. They flew close to me but I was slow on the camera.

The loop road was flat but bumpier than the worst washboarded road I’ve been on. I probably cruised this two-track at 10 miles an hour and it tried to shake my brains loose for most of its length. The scenery wasn’t exactly special either. I did watch two military A-10 aircraft flying in the canyon only about 1/3 of a mile away. You don’t get to see that very often in other places in the world unless it’s a war zone.

This wasn’t a mountain biker’s ride but more of a touring #mtb exploring an area not many have ever ventured on a bicycle.

The Ride Details
Date Of Ride: October 18, 2017
Name of Ride: The Big Draw MTB Ride in the Bruneau Desert
Link To Photographs From Ride: https://photos.app.goo.gl/fNfYsEAwyRMEjfld2

Bike Ridden: Giant Talon 2 (2017)
Total Mountain Bike Mileage: 13.8 miles
Vertical Feet: +669 feet / -689 feet
Average Slope: +1.7% / -1.5%
Elevation Ranges: 3,401 feet / – 3,736 feet
Facilities At Trailhead: None
Land Ownership: 100% on public BLM lands. I may have entered the Bruneau-Jarbidge Rivers Wilderness while walking around the above mentioned “spit” of land.
Road Mileage from Boise, Idaho to Trailhead: 80 miles

Why "The Big Draw"? The Crowbar Gulch topo map identified it as such. 

If venturing to this area, please understand the small town of Mountain Home, Idaho to the north of this area is a city in decline. Your best options are to avoid the place completely and stock up on food, supplies, and gas elsewhere. #MountainHomeIdaho #CityInDecline

If you would like more information about mountain biking, hiking, rockhounding or any type of outdoor adventures southern Idaho, USA, I will be glad to discuss your options.

This story was originally published on October 20, 2017.

Thanks,



Tim Bondy
Freelance Writer & Citizen Journalist

I am currently a proud citizen journalist, aka, "enemy of the American People!"

Spivey Road – South of Oreana, Oct. 2017 Bike Ride

A fun but exhausting October 2017 mountain bike ride in southwestern Idaho.

Looking down into Browns Creeks Canyon with the Silver City Mountains of Idaho in the distance

Summary of the Mountain Bike Ride: This mountain bike ride ( #Mtb ) was completed on Oct. 5, 2017, in the Owyhee Front south of Oreana, Idaho. The ride, located about 40 ‘as-the-crow-flies’ miles south of Boise, was on gravel and dirt roads, mostly suitable for higher clearance vehicles as well as ATVs and mountain bikes.

With temperatures in the 50s, this out and back, 22 mile, 1,600 foot vertical, bike ride was grueling for me. The road was rocky, yet not technical but was uphill all the way. The rockiness detracted from the ride because it prevented me from watching the horizon for deer and more specifically, bighorn sheep. However, the view to the south of the Owyhee Mountains and the various shallow canyons was quite beautiful.

The Ride Details: I forgot to turn-off my GPS tracking when I got back to the truck and it continued to track all the way home and into the house. All statistics are approximated but likely very close to reality.

Specifics

Date Of Ride: October 5, 2017
Name of Ride: Spivey and Alder Creek Road Ride
Link To Photographs From Ride: https://photos.app.goo.gl/PYkukRMsr8Gh1alA2
Total Mountain Bike Mileage: 21.9 miles
Vertical Feet: About 1,600 feet. This is the one stat my GPX/Google Earth are having troubles parsing.
Average Slope: 2.9% / Max Slope: 11%
Elevation Ranges: 2,792 to 4,285 feet

Land Ownership: Mostly Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and some Idaho State Lands. No private property was encroached upon during this ride.
Facilities At Trailhead: None
Road Mileage from Boise, Idaho to Trailhead: 65 miles

The end of the trail for me. 

If venturing to this area from the east, please understand the small town of Mountain Home, Idaho is a city in decline. Your best options are to avoid the place completely and stock up on food, supplies, and gas elsewhere. #MountainHomeIdaho #CityInDecline

If you would like more information about mountain biking, hiking, rockhounding or any type of outdoor adventures along the Owyhee Front, I will be glad to discuss your options.

This story was originally published on October 18, 2017.

Thanks,



Tim Bondy
Freelance Writer & Citizen Journalist


I am currently a proud citizen journalist, aka, "enemy of the American People!"

Peak 5913 Oasis Hike In The Danskin Mtns

Last edited on May 27, 2017

This strenuous May 14, 2017, hike in Idaho's Danskin Mountains just south of the South Fork of the Boise River was spectacular for both its scenic beauty and sense of accomplishment. While the weather was cool, gray and windy, this ridge to ridge to ridge hike located just off National Forest System Road 131 was one of my favorites in the past few years.

Taken from the half-way point, Peak 5913 has a large rock formation on its summit.

Tim Bondy's Hike Commentary

I wasn't looking forward to this hike. I knew it was going to be steep, windy and pretty much atypical of the other hikes I did in this area. But the views, greenery, and scenery were special. With views extending miles into the high peaks of Boise Mountains and even out into the Snake River Plains and down into the South Fork of the Boise River Canyon, who could say no to all that? Not me.

The trailhead is located not far from the headwaters of Cow Creek and heads sharply up a ridge to the northwest. Land ownership on the earth I tread during this hike started off on Bureau of Land Management land and then quickly transitioning into National Forest Service lands as I followed one ridge line to the next. Private property would only come into play on this hike if I had decided to bail on the return leg to the south into the West Fork of Long Tom Creek to the south. I didn't.

My plan was to hike the ridgelines between eight different peaks. My GPS tracks indicated I came pretty darn close as I stepped foot on seven of the eight peaks. However, I don't remember referring to my map during any part of the hike up. Pretty simple route.

A Flats and Peak sitting on the north side of the Boise River

I'd have to say the best view was of the Irish green high prairies (or flats) to the north of Peak 5913. The distant snow-capped peaks in this record snow year certainly added to the views. There was one particular flat or prairie that I didn't recognize located about three miles to the northeast of my route. It may be part of "Sproule Flats" sitting on the north bank of the Boise River. The topo maps I have do not identify the flat but I will climb up there in the next few weeks.

Sitting on the peak was rather special but windy, windy, windy. When it was time to head back I already knew the route back would be close to the path I took up. I did deviate a little to avoid a particularly steep section but alas, that route was also quite steep or maybe steeper than the original tract. "The grass is rarely greener" when hiking.

The Map

The Hike Specifics And Other Information:

Total Hike Mileage: 4.42 miles
Time On Trail: 4:15 hours
Elevation Gain/Loss: +/- 2,154 feet
Slope: Average =  17.3% Max =  +44.5% / -47.2%
Trailhead Coordinates: 43.339753, -115.569240
Facilities: None
Peak 5913 Coordinates: 43.354106, -115.596013
Link To More Photographs: https://goo.gl/photos/FhYuGaYTeYD4jTdi7
Road Miles From Downtown Boise, Idaho: 68 miles

"Elmore County Outdoor Concierge Services" Offer:

Newcomers Price: $35
If you are in the Elmore County area of Idaho and are in need of some guidance for where to go for a hike, mountain biking, fishing, rock hounding or ATV riding, I can help. I will personalize a trip for you, provide digital map(s) and offer some suggestions to make the trip a little easier to do.

If you are interested in one of my custom designed adventures, contact me through a comment on this story or call me at 208-598-0264. There is also a contact me form located in the side menu of this website.

Call To Action

If you liked this story, please consider sharing the post with your friends and family. You can also provide other feedback by simply clicking a "Reactions" checkbox at the bottom of this story or commenting. Go ahead ... do it.

Originally published on May 27, 2017.

Thanks,


Tim Bondy
Freelance Writer & Citizen Journalist

I am currently a proud citizen journalist, aka "enemy of the American People!"
.
P.S. It is my opinion that Mountain Home, Idaho is a city in decline. While you could find goods and services in that town, I suggest you avoid Mountian Home completely.

Hike To Idaho's Peak 6187 In The Bennett Mountains

Last edited on May 15, 2017

I haven't done much peakbagging in the Mount Bennett Hill / Bennett Mountain area north of Glenns Ferry, Idaho, USA. My goal was to bag Peak 6187 and from my research, I knew it wasn't a prominent peak at all but is would have excellent views down into the Little Canyon Creek area and over a little-visited area of this volcanically dominated mountainous landscape.

Perched on a ledge with a great view of Little Canyon Creek and the snowy Bennett Mountain in the distance

The Ascent - A Cross-Country Hike

The hike starts from the side of Bennett Mountain Road, a well-maintained gravel road and heads steeply up the ridgeline to the east. There is no real trailhead nor any paths to follow. It a "point your nose at the goal and put one foot in front of the other" type of hike. For this and all cross-country hikes, I suggest you chose your route wisely. I didn't.

From my starting point, I scrambled up a section of the mountainside for about seven-tenths of a mile, that was not only steep but also had slick footing. The "shaley" volcanic rock laying on loose dirt and gravel made for an 18-inches up, five-inches slide down for quite a distance. It was exhausting but not unpleasant.

Once I ascended that initial steep section the rest of the hike leveled off significantly. The distant views were as good as I expected. I suspect not many people have walked this section of earth but being cattle country, evidence of cows were easy to spot. I eventually encountered a mandatory fence line in the middle of nowhere and I followed it on the publically owned side.

Peak 6187 is just off the right side of the photo.

Not Peaking Out Regrets

I didn't stand on Peak 6187 on this hike. And again I have regrets for my decision. The initial ascent up the ridgeline was a sweaty event and the wind was blowing rather hard up there. So, while there was full sun and temperatures were likely in the high 50's, it was rather cold. I never removed my sweatshirt on this hike. Ironic, considering I debated at the trailhead if I should bring the sweatshirt on this hike. Obviously, I was glad I did.

I ended up about 725 feet south of the peak before heading down a ridgeline. Had I just put one foot in front of the other I would have likely had a great view of the West Fork of King Hill Creek and Lansing Springs.

Probably the biggest factor in not pushing on up the peak was because it didn't look very prominent or inspiring. Regretful. There was also that fence line that stood between me and the peak. Is Peak 6187 on private or public property? My research says "public" but why trespass when you don't absolutely need to. Bad justification ... I know.

The Descent

My descent back to my vehicle was another steep grind down a valley and intermittent stream course. The sagebrush was much thicker than on the ridgeline so I got to hopscotch and weave all the way down.

A dry creek bed provided an easier path down from Peak 6187

There was very little, if any, water in the streambed until getting into the lower elevations. At one point I came upon water flowing out of a spring. Not unusual, except the streambed was completely dry on the surface and 10 feet later water was flowing rather swiftly in that same streambed.

Rockhounding & Geology/Geography 

There were some cool volcanic hoodoo rock formations in the valley I descended but other than that, the area was sterile of any cool rocks. This is exactly is what I've come to expect while hounding in a "Rhyolite, quartz latite, and latite ignimbrites and flows; Miocene felsic volcanics; Owyhee Plateau" geologic area. However, because the earth's crust is always moving and you never know what could push up from the depths.

Selfie of Bondy and hoodoo on Bennett Mountain area hike

The Hike Data

Total Distance: 3.79 miles
Hike Configuration: Mostly cross-country loop around a high sagebrush steppe mountain valley
Elevation Gain/Loss: 1,265 feet
Slope: Avg = 13.4% / Max. 41.5%
Time On Trail: 3:30 hours
Land Ownership: Mostly public lands (BLM) but a section of private property was also involved.
Trailhead Coordinates: Find a place near 43.169271, -115.316434 and head up the mountainside to the east.
Peak Coordinates: 43.189903, -115.309081
Facilities: None. The closest available food, equipment and/or bathrooms are located in Glenns Ferry, Idaho or 19 road miles to the south.
Link to more photos from the hike: https://goo.gl/photos/rymsEi8vG5spHa2M7
Road Miles from Boise / Twin Falls: 78 miles / 76 miles

Interactive Hike Map

Click, drag, zoom and explore the map for a better idea of how the hike up Peak 6187 would suit your hiking preferences.

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If you liked this story, please consider sharing the post with your friends and family. You can also provide other feedback by simply clicking a "Reactions" checkbox at the bottom of this story or commenting. Go ahead ... do it.

Summary:

This hike was a tad disappointing. A little too steep at the beginning and not challenging enough for the rest of this microadventure. The highlights of the hike were the views and newness of the area. Obviously not peaking out was a disappointment. I'll be back peakbagging this area in the future. I already have a route picked out, so come on back to read about that future hike.


Originally published on May 15, 2017.

Thanks,


Tim Bondy
Freelance Writer & Citizen Journalist

I am currently a proud citizen journalist, aka "enemy of the American People!"
.

P.S. It is my opinion that Mountain Home, Idaho is a city in decline. While you could find goods and services in that town, I suggest you avoid Mountian Home completely.