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!"

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!"

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!"

Hiking Boot Review - New Balance 703

Last edited on April 17, 2017

I bought a pair of New Balance 703 lightweight hiking or walking boots a number of years ago. They got plenty of hard use over the years and I was and still am happy with them. As of my last hike, (https://timbondy.blogspot.com/2017/04/peak-4922-near-syrup-creek-steep-cold.html) the boots are showing signs of wear and tears that made me buy a new pair of New Balance hiking boots.

Tim Bondy's Retired New Balance 703 Hiking Boots

Mountain Tops To Owyhee Canyons and Everywhere In Between

To the best of my recollection, I believe I bought the New Balance 703s at Cabela's in Boise, Idaho during the spring of 2014 or about three years ago. They've taken me on fishing trips, gold panning adventures, many rockhounding outings and of course countless hikes and microadventures during that time. And they held up rather well.

The Pro's

• Comfort: The boots fit my fat feet. For the first time in my life, I found a boot that didn't squeeze my toes together and blister them up after a long hike. The size 11, Quad E width has a toe-box made for wide feet like mine.
• Weight: The 703s are light. As we should know by now, the lighter the shoe the less effort required to move them forward. There is a trade-off between light and longevity and New Balance seems to have done that balancing trick pretty well with this model.
• Longevity: I rode those boots hard and put them away wet quite often and they still lasted a full three years. 

The wavy shoe laces were not my favorite feature of the 703s

The Con's

• Shoe Laces: The "Sure Lace" reciprocating wave pattern shoe laces never impressed me and made me actually wonder if they were some kind of product defect. In any case, they wore out shortly before the boot finally gave up on me. I put traditional boot laces in them towards the end. Some things just can't be improved upon and traditional shoe laces are one of those items.
• The Tread: The tread was the first thing to start wearing out on the New Balance 703s. But right to the end of its hiking life, there were no holes on the bottoms. 

The New Balance 703: A 5-star product.

Calling All Manufacturers - A Complaint

The wilds of the western part of the U.S., especially the high desert and sagebrush steppe environment has a lot of cheatgrass on it. Those cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum L.) seed pods have small barbs that allow them to automagically attach themselves to the inside lining of most hiking boots.

Idaho cheatgrass attaches to boot linings 

Those pods, once they get into the lining, then poke and itch the ankle and heel during the rest of the hike. Then the process of removing the pods begins. I try to remove them before heading home because once they get home, the chances of them dispersing into the wind increases exponentially. Yes, I have cheatgrass growing in my yard.

So hey ... bootmakers? Find a lining that doesn't automagically attract cheatgrass seed pods.

My New New Balance Boots

I wasted no time in ordering a pair of New Balance Men's MW1400 Trail Walking Boot. Hopefully, they will be just as comfortable as my 703s were.

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 April 17, 2017.

Thanks,


Tim Bondy
Freelance Writer & Citizen Journalist

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

P.S. There are no stores in Mountain Home, Idaho to buy quality hiking boots. Boise or Twin Falls are the closest locations to buy most of your outdoor equipment.

Failed Owyhee Mtns Quad-Peak Hike

Last edited on April 4, 2017

I planned out a hike in the Owyhee Mountains of southwestern Idaho that involved bagging four closely spaced peaks off Mud Flat Road, 21miles southwest of the city of Grand View. I attempted that hike on April 1, 2017, and failed to summit only one of the peaks. It turned out to be a wonderful day in the great outdoors.

Tim Bondy in the Owyhee Mountain during April 2017 - On top of Peak 5882

Why didn't I summit the other peak? That peak, "Rocky Points Peak," was a just a little out of the way. Plus, it would have meant I would have had hike to a saddle about 300 feet below that new summit and I just wasn't up for it. So yeah, I was lazy.👎👎👎 On the bright side, I have another peak to explore in the future. 👍👊

The Location And Owyhee Peak Names 

The hike is close to the relatively unknown "Lone Juniper Creek." There is a two-tract or dirt road running north and then west of the peak area but I stay mostly off of it.

The Peaks:

• Peak 5642 - summited 👍
• Peak 5787 - summited 👍
• Peak 5882 - summited 👍
• The self-named "Rocky Points Peak." - Nope, didn't make it there. 👎

Click On Map, Zoom In/Out and Explore

My research shows some private property is in the area but well away from the peaks, although there is a fence line running along the ridgeline I followed. I suspect it is a BLM grazing allotment fence. However, based on the condition of the fence, maybe I'm missing something and there is private property up there too?

Timbers prop-up the post while a boulder and wire do a counter-balancing act.

Is this a BLM or Idaho fence in the Owyhee Mountains?

Why There?

Why there? It's been awhile since I explored this area for cool rocks and decided some rockhounding while hiking in a place not many have tread would add an extra dimension to this microadventure. The "Rocky Points Peaks" was chosen because of how rocky and gnarly it looked on Google Earth. The other peaks I sought out were chosen because they "they were there."

Cross-country hiking at its finest in the Owyhee Mountains south of Grand View, Idaho.

Other Details

• Total Hike Mileage: 3.99 miles
• Elevation Gain/Loss: 1,494 feet
• Total Time: Trailhead To Trailhead: 3:45 hours
• Slope: Avg = 12.8% / Max = 41.3%
• Link To More Photographs From The Hike: https://goo.gl/photos/29jZ9VXM5RvVLtZs5
• Parking Location: 42.749351, -116.310569
• Topo Maps: Rough Mountain and Snow Creek Quadrangle 7.5 minute series
• Video From Peak: https://youtu.be/vqulV1Zl87Q

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 April 4, 2017.

Thanks,


Tim Bondy
Freelance Writer & Citizen Journalist

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

We Already Share and Use Our Public Lands

Last edited on March 16, 2017

At least two Idaho state legislative representatives are quite excited about the prospects of getting their hands on some, most or all 32 million acres of the federally owned lands in our state. This public lands take-over wet dream is also shared by the right wing conservative majority in other western states with Utah politicians being the most vocal. Locally, Representatives Megan Blanksma and Christie Zito are the noise makers.

The fence between cleaner and pooh-strewn on our public lands of Idaho

Photo Details:
Geographic Coordinates: 42.7709056, -116.298325
Date: March 15, 2016 at 3:48 P.M.
Owyhee County, Idaho.
Land Ownership: The people of the USA.
Photographer: Tim Bondy from Tim Bondy - Freelance Writer

In May 2016, Megan Blanksma and Christie Zito, then legislative district 32 candidates extolled their vision of how great it would be if we could more readily share our public lands with corporations and/or allowed the state of Idaho to "manage" all those lands. We already know Idaho is better known for selling their state lands than properly managing them.

The word "Manage" as used by Blanksma means "being in charge of" instead of  the other definition, "help in the administration of our public lands for all people."

Sharing Already - The Proof Is On The Land
On March 15, 2017, I went on a hike that started on Mud Flat Road in the Owyhee Mountains of southwestern Idaho. The cross-country hike took me up to Peak 5356 and back again. The first half of the hike was on the State of Idaho lands and likely some federally owned BLM grazing allotments also.

During the state and grazing allotment portion of the hike, I shared the land with a massive amount of cow patties. This is quite normal in this portion of the Owyhees. The fence and the lands seen beyond in the above photograph were conspicuously free of the shared cow patty environment.

Once I crawled under that fence, there was no more empty cans, junk or trash. Around the peak however, there were some old cow patties. I suspect these were from cows that migrated up to this area from another grazing allotment to the north and east. So Representative Christie Zito from Idaho Legislative District 23, we are sharing our lands. No more compromise required ... okay?

Finding Nemo the Cow Patty out in the desert is easy

Management For Corporations
Representative Blanksma from Idaho Legislative District 23 wants Idaho to manage, as in take full control of our federal lands. She has no real plan other than an old bill that Congressman Raul Labrador submitted a few years ago. That bill was just a public lands take-over idea.

The only way Idaho could afford to "manage" our federal lands is by selling off a good chunk of it and agreeing to use that money to manage the lands they grabbed from "We, the People." Remember, Idaho won't even fund education properly and local school district are forced to vote on funding levies every few years just so school buildings can be properly maintained.

Call To Action
I know there are a lot of people living in Idaho who wish to keep public lands public. These people come from all walks of life and use some of the 32 million acres of federally owned lands in many different ways.

There are concerned fishermen, kayakers, hikers, ORV users, motorcyclists, birder, hunters, rockhounders and explorers to name just some of the hobbyists I can think of.  If you use our public lands in a responsible and gentle way, please tell your state and federal elected officials to "Keep Public Lands Public ... now and forever."


Originally published on March 16, 2017.

Thanks,


Tim Bondy Freelance
Writer & Citizen Journalist

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

.

Hike To Below Peak 5651 - Owyhee Mountains

Last updated on March 14, 2017

Summary: This review is about a hike in Owyhee County, Idaho, a place that you might find is a good vacation spot if you are looking for uncrowded outdoor recreation. It's also unique, rugged and quite beautiful. 

I went on a solo cross-country hike in the Owyhee Mountain southwest of Grand View, Idaho. Peak 5651 was my destination but I never made all the way to that little spot on this earth but I was close. Why? I ran out of energy and I'm not in the best physical condition after a long, cold winter.

The view from near Owyhee Peak 5651 in March 2017. Rough Mtn. is the name of the snow covered peak in the mid-ground

Stop For Food and Supplies
If you are need of some last minutes food or supplies, there is a cafe and a small general store on Highway 78 just outside of Grand View, Idaho. For a better choice of supplies and munchies, buy them in the Boise, Caldwell or Meridan area before heading out.

Here is Grand View, Idaho link to Google Maps 

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Grand+View,+ID+83624/@42.9832396,-116.1069455,14z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x54addd3e7db5cd89:0x95af201b2651a22e!8m2!3d42.9896139!4d-116.0934305?hl=en&authuser=0 Mountain Home is a city in real decline and it's a good idea to stay away when on vacation.

Details:

• Coordinates the photo was taken: 42.7479889, -116.2795861
• Taken on March 12, 2017, at around 3:30 P.M.
• 20 miles southwest of Grand View and 60 miles south of Boise, Idaho (as the crow flies)
• All lands along the hike to the peak were public and freely open to hiking 
• To start the hike, park at or near coordinates 42.766069, -116.280721 just off Mud Flat Road.
• There are no trails to the peak so you just need to point your nose towards your destination and start walking. No, really.

A spit of land called "Between the Creeks" can be seen in the background.

Why Off Trail There?
The primary reason I wanted to peak-out in this particular area was so I could view and possible hike part of the way down into the Shoofly Creek canyon a.k.a. Perjure Canyon. The hike up to this butte was tougher than I expected so I stopped when the view was good enough. And the views of this little-visited canyon area were spectacular.

Video was taken from the summit area

When looking along the northern horizon I could see the snow covered mountain peaks extending from Near Ontario, Oregon and eastward to the Pioneer Mountains near Haily, Idaho. That's a quite a view considering Haily is over 100 miles from Peak 5651. 

Originally published on March 14, 2017.

Thanks,


Tim Bondy Freelance
Writer & Citizen Journalist

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

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Owyhee Mtns Vinson Wash Outing - Public Lands

Photography, Outdoors, Owyhee County, Idaho, Desert, Public Lands
Last edited on February 26, 2017

A fork on an unnamed road in the Owyhee Mountains

A sunny, 40℉  February 2017 day in the Owyhee Mountains of southern Idaho. 

Sunshine has been a rare commodity in southern Idaho this winter. So when the opportunity presented itself, I took it and headed into the Owyhee Mountains for a pre-microadventure exploration hike.

This area about 15 miles southwest of Grand View, Idaho and about 50 miles south of Boise, Idaho and will likely be the location of a future microadventure in 2017. It's a sagebrush covered desert environment with a number of peaks to explore. And I have explored many of them since 2007. But now it's time to get out into these "deserty" mountains for a overnight camping adventures.

The two-track seen in this photograph has no name that I know of. It is only suitable for high clearance vehicles and of course ATVs, motorcycles and hiking. I walked.

This photograph was taken at 42.8234194, -116.2587694 on February 25, 2017 at 2:45 P.M. while facing west.

Peak 5141 is located at 42.826619, -116.310974 and is about two and three-quarter miles away from the photo location.

Ownership
On this exploration, I hiked a total of 4.13 miles and at no time did I step foot on anything other than public lands. From the research I have done, most of the lands within a 10 mile radius of the hike are federal lands and freely open to hiking ... no permission needed.

The next biggest land owner within a 10 mile radius of my hike is the State of Idaho. Idaho owned lands are a peculiar in that they can lock out citizens of the state when they wish and for any reason apparently. Idaho also has a long history of selling off their "state lands." For this reason, the citizens of the U.S. need to tell their representative to keep public lands open and free to all of us. Once lands are sold off to corporations or private parties, the "No Trespassing" signs and fences go up.

Private property is the last ownership category in this area. Most of the private lands in this area are located in the river/creek valleys and are mainly ranch lands.

Directions to the photo location from Grand View Idaho
Turn left onto ID-78 E 2.1 mi  Slight right onto Mud Flat Rd/Shoofly Rd  Continue to follow Mud Flat Rd 15.7 mi  Turn right onto Oreana Loop Rd/Poison Creek Cutoff 2.7 miles. Look for a two-track dirt road on the left.



Originally published on February 26, 2017

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Thanks,



Tim Bondy
Freelance Writer & Citizen Journalist

I am currently a proud "enemy of the American People!"

They Say "Compromise a Must" on Idaho's Public Lands

Updated on Sept. 27, 2016

What Do We Get in Your Version of Compromise, District 23 Candidates?

Note: This post was moved to the BondyBlogs.Com website. Click over to see the full and revised article at http://www.bondyblogs.com/they-say-compromise-a-must-on-idahos-public-lands/


Tim Bondy
Freelance Writer
Mountain Home, Idaho, US