March-April 2023 Boise County Guide

To Spring Time in Boise County,

the gateway to an authentic Central Idaho Mountains adventure. The grass will soon be greening up and beckoning the wildlife from the surrounding mountains. A true delight for those that venture along the roads, trails and waterways within the area.

Only One Hour From Boise

SCENIC LOOP

By travelling on three designated scenic byways, you can make a loop trip. From Boise, take Highway 55 to Banks. From there, take the Banks-Lowman Road to Lowman (be sure and stop in Garden Valley/Crouch). Then go west on Highway 21 through historic Idaho City. The loop is 120 miles.

Plan now - to make a trip this summer! There are a few options for approaching Thompson Peak, the highest point in Boise County, but the most common and sensible is from the Redfish trail-head near Stanley. 6.5 miles hike. 0.3 miles after leaving the parking area the trail forks. For access to Thompson, stay right.

BOISE COUNTY FAST FACTS:

• 1.22 million acres

• 1,907 square miles

• 7,610 residents

• 2 major river systems - Boise and Payette Rivers

• 3 Scenic Byways

• 10,751 ft - highest point - Thompson Peak - Sawtooth Wilderness

• 2,500 ft. lowest point - Payette River near Gem County

Check out the Scenic Byway Loop! Great day trip for some outstanding spring wildlife viewing.

The closest thing to a traffic signal in Boise County is a flashing red light for Highway 52 where it meets Highway 55 in Horseshoe Bend. Hwy 55 has a flashing yellow.

WILDLIFE VIEWING

Wildlife is abundant for viewing this time of year. Deer and elk will remain in the area into April when grasses begin growing and will begin migrating back to higher elevations as the snowline recedes. Late afternoon hours are best times for visitors to view wildlife; however, many will be visible at any hour. Male (buck) deer will have shed their antlers by this time of year. Male (bull) elk may still have their antlers, as they generally lose them in late March.

Take a break along the Scenic Loop in one of several developed natural geothermal hot springs pools.

Pictured above : The Springs in Idaho City. Terrace Lakes and Silver Creek Plunge in Garden Valley and The Haven in Lowman also offer hot springs relaxation opportunities.

Cover Photo Courtesy - Mel Pope.

Idaho City

Just an hour drive from Boise, along scenic Highway 21, is the classic western town of Idaho City.

Hundreds of people poured into the Northwest Territory in the latter part of the 19th century to search for gold, herd cattle, settle down on farms and raise families. Many deserted the Oregon Trail and crossed southern Idaho lava beds on a trek to the Boise Basin.

Idaho City’s wood-planked boardwalks and historic buildings are a tribute to Idaho’s bonanza days and the turbulent times of the 1860’s gold rush era. The Boise National Forest surrounds the city. In summer, you can hike, picnic, camp, fish and go horseback riding. In fall and winter, try hunting, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, tubing, snowmobiling and yurt camping.

Idaho City

Many buildings built in the 1860s still stand and are examples of early brickwork and wooden architecture. Several red brick buildings survived fires during the gold rush era. Many are still used. A few examples include the Masonic Temple, said to be the oldest lodge west of the Mississippi, and St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, built in 1863, home of the territory’s first Roman Catholic parish.

Boise Basin Historical Museum – formerly a post office, the museum features a gold rush memorabilia collection. Open daily Memorial Day through Labor Day. Right - Masonic Temple..

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Horseshoe Bend

Horseshoe Bend, named for the giant sweeping bend that the Payette River makes in the southern end of the watershed, is fast becoming a bedroom community to Boise and an early stop for tourists following the Payette River Scenic Byway. The Bend has one of the most popular kayak play waves in the West at “the Gutter,” next to a hydroeclectric project. Local restaurants draw many a hungry boater or camper as they travel through town on their way into the woods or back home.

Horseshoe Bend - Real Estate

Lowman is located along the eastern edge of the Wildlife Canyon Scenic Byway, 40 miles east of Banks. The traveler will marvel at the deep canyon created by the powerful Payette River. Steep canyon walls provide shelter for wildlife throughout the area. Waterfalls drop through narrow canyon walls offering some spectacular views of nature. All along the route are USFS campgrounds, several of which have natural hot springs to soak in. These campgrounds are well maintained and accessible to all travelers. After enjoying the wildlife and scenery you can enjoy a meal in Lowman. Area restaurants and businesses offer all who venture by a place to relax and enjoy the day. Several lodging options and cabins are available for overnight accommodations can be enjoyed by the whole family.

Kirkham Hot Springs, located near the Boise National Forest campground of the same name, features somewhat shallow rock pools (unimproved) with sand/rock bottoms next to the river. The multiple hot waterfalls are quite a sight! Both the pools and hot waterfalls can be seen from a large pullout off highway 21 on the west side of the campground. Spring soaking can help one avoid the full-house use of the summer and winter seasons.

Kirkham additionally serves as an interpretive site for geothermal activity. There is a trail that winds through the seeps and sources which continuously provide the hot springs pools with fresh mineral water. There are signs along the way that describe the hot springs and area history.

Garden Valley - Area Attractions

Wildlife Canyon Scenic Byway and Recreational Drives:

The Garden Valley area is nestled along the Wildlife Canyon Scenic Byway, hosting exceptional wildlife viewing, hot springs and picturesque mountain scenery.

This is an Idaho road winding through country so splendid that it has achieved a special status. The road passes through breathtaking scenery, historic places, and intriguing landscapes. And though it offers incomparable glimpses of wilderness, it is easily and safely traveled by most vehicles.

The beauty of the South Fork of the Payette River Canyon, the power of the river, and the abundance of wildlife will create lifelong memories.

Some featured points along the Byway, include:

Staircase Rapids -- one of the most famous along the South Fork.

Crouch -- Historic old city north of the Byway.

Pioneer Cemetery -- brings reminders of days long past of the rich heritage of the area.

Alder Creek Bridge -- homesite of artist Charles Ostner.

Grimes Pass Dam -- powered mining dredges in the Boise Basin.

Danskin Station -- big game viewing, info and whitewater access.

Gallagher Flat -- Original Civilian Conservation Corps camp foundations.

Big Falls -- Drop in the river of 40 feet --requiring portage for boaters.

Pine Flats -- Hot springs for plants, animals and people!

Deadwood Campground -- Campsite was occupied as early as AD 534.

Along the river banks watch for eagles, osprey, herons, Canadian geese, wild turkeys, elk, deer, fox, and sometimes even a black bear. The area is known for the winter migrations of large herds of elk and deer.

Garden Valley - Area Attractions

1 • Rocky Canyon

Hot Springs -- Middle Fork of the Payette River -- CAUTION -- Check on whether Middle Fork Road is open in EARLY SPRING before heading up to Boiling Springs Area!

12.5 miles from the intersection of Forest Road 698 (Middle Fork Rd.) and Hwy 17. Go 1.5 mi. past Hardscrabble Campground. Park in a pullout on your left. You’ll have to wade the river, which could be dangerous during high water. The spring emerges from the steep hillside near the mouth of Rocky Canyon. Bathers have chiseled out a family-size soaking pool well up the bank. A PVC pipe in the dam provides a great shower for the slightly cooler pool immediately below.

2 • Fire Crew

15 miles from the intersection of Forest Road 698 (Middle Fork Rd.) and Hwy 17. (2.5 miles past Rocky Canyon Hot Spring) to a junction at Trail Creek Campground. Take the left fork for .3 miles. Bear left on a rough spur ending at the river. A loop encircles an undeveloped camping area. The pools are out on a gravel bar to your right. The spring is on the river’s edge, but, on the near side. No river crossing necessary. Can get hot as the river drops -- some adjusting may be necessary!

3 • Boiling Springs

23 miles from the intersection of Forest Road 698 (Middle Fork Rd.) and Hwy 17, to the road-end campground and trailhead. Stroll .3 miles north on the trail to find the springs flowing down a bank beside a couple of cabins. The cabins, formerly a Forest Service guard station, are now rented to the public for recreational use. Please ask permission before entering and try to avoid the cabin area as much as possible. Steaming water emerges at 188 degrees from many fissures in a cliff just beyond the cabins, and a broad cascade streams down the hillside. One spring flows through a shallow soaking pool or two at the base. The water cools as it runs through a ditch across a wide meadow. A few rock-lined pools at the river’s edge are usually filled on weekends with kids from the nearby campground.

Garden Valley - Area Attractions

4 & 5 • Moondipper - Pine Burl

Take your choice of trails from Boiling Springs upriver. Two separate springs flow down the banks of a creek just above the river into a pair of scenic soakers spaced 50 yards apart along the tree-studded canyon. Both get swamped during high water, so fall is an ideal time go visit these spots. One trail, steep and slippery in spots, hugs the west side of the river all the way. This is the safer route during high water. The Middle Fork Trail is more direct, but you’ll have to ford several times in the 2-mile hike upstream. When you reach Dash Creek, the first side stream on the west side, you’ll find Moondipper 30 yards up the creek against a rocky bank. The large, sandy-bottomed pool can hold several happy soakers and offers a great view up the canyon. Pine Burl, a gem tucked out of sight a few bends up the creek, has a pool roughly 7 to 8 feet in diameter. The name, once inscribed on a small masonry dam at the downstream end, has eroded away, but the inspiration for it still sits up the hill on the north side. The spring perks up through the sandy bottom, and if the water gets too hot, you can shift the rocks at the other end to let creek water trickle in.

6 • Groundhog

1.3 miles beyond Moondipper and Pine Burl, there is little foot traffic, and the way is pretty brushy. Watch for Ground Hog Creek on the west bank shortly before the 8th ford of the river. Right after this crossing, the river makes a horseshoe bend to the right. Cross the river one last time to find the springs in the center of the curve on the east bank. Pool gets little use, so be prepared to move some rocks!

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Bull Creek

Take Silver Creek Trail vs. Middle Fork. Drop down the far side of Silver Creek Summit into Bull Creek. Take Bull Creek Trail. Turn left and follow it 2.7 miles downstream above the north bank of Bull Creek. The trail drops steeply to a bridge over a small stream, then reaches another with no bridge. Look 30 feet uphill and climb up to reach the springs on a granite bluff overlooking the canyon. REMOTE and can get hot!

Boiling Springs Hot Springs where the water cascades down the hillside, with the guard station in the background.

The pool at Pineburl Hot Spring.

Garden Valley - Area Attractions

GOLF COURSE - POOL - TENNIS - RESTAURANT - LOUNGE - HOMESITES

Challenging 18-hole mountain golf course surrounded by tall pines and spectacular views!

Geothermal swimming pool, open year-round.

Restaurant and lounge for your convenience. With no need to cook, every weekend can be a vacation!

Winter fun includes sledding, snowmobiling, swimming and cross country skiing.

Visitors Welcome! Try the food & check out additional info on Terrace Lakes memberships & cabin/home sites. Call - 208462-3250 in Garden Valley 208-377-2121 in Boise. Ask for Ilene Johnson. www.terracelakes.com

Lodging

2 bedroom, 2 bath town houses

Sleeps 4-7 • One night - $224/night

Two or more nights - $189/night

50% off at pool

Two one room cabins • $79/night

Motel Rooms • $59/night Includes Use of Pool

Garden Valley - Services

Garden Valley - Services/Construction

Garden Valley - Services/Construction

208-462-2882

Remodel Specialist

Interior

• Interior Renovations

• Kitchen and Bathroom Remodels

• Wood and Metal Stud Framing

• Doors and Windows

• Flooring- Carpet, Laminate, Wood, Vinyl, Tile

• Drywall. Texture, and painting

CMH is a full construction and restoration company capable of handling projects of all types and sizes. Let us help you through the process.

Whatever

Exterior

• General Construction

• Concrete

• Waterproofing/Sealing

• Framing and Structural Repairs

• Doors and Windows

• Dry Rot Repairs

• Siding

Garden Valley - Retail

Crafts and Antiques Mall

462-2632

A Unique Shopping Experience, AND a Unique Business Opportunity!

If you are in to handrafted items, antiques and collectibles and interested in selling your items, Old Crouch Mercantile Mall is the place for you. Various size booths and wall spaces are available for rent. Sellyour craftsorantiqueswithoutthehassleofbeingonsite!

DOWNTOWN Crouch, ID

Old Crouch Mercantile Bldg.

oldmerexchange@gmail.com

Lot in small sub. 4 acreages to choose from. Spectacular view, close to the top of Horseshoe Bend Hill. Less than a mile from the Summit. Turn left on the old Hiway 55 (Summit Ridge Rd). Septic approval. Credit given to Buyer when the power is put in next spring. Limited CCr’s, No HOA yet. Chariot Way is the first road on the right down Summit Ridge Rd. Follow the signs to the lots.

New subdivision in Horseshoe Bend. Borders Pioneer Rd on the east side of Horseshoe Bend. 2, 3 and 4 Acre Lots. Price Reduced! Underground power, approved for septics. Borders a creek. View of mountains and foothills. Low traffic area on the east side of Horseshoe Bend and the river. Signs are on the property and the lots. MLS 98852457

14 Leisure Lane • Terrace Lakes

Property sits above the #1 tee box at Terrace Lakes Resort with a terrific view. Recently updated with a cozy comfortable feel. 2460 SF includes 4 bed and 3 baths. All new flooring, new bathrooms, new kitchen and the new appliances are included. Lots of large windows. Walkout daylight basement includes an amazing game room w/pool table and TV. Huge laundry room and bar. Covered wrap around deck has heaters to enjoy the view and activities in the winter. A large storage shed and two car garage with attic storage. RV parking. Terrace Lakes offers a hot springs pool open year-round, 18 hole golf course, restaurant and lounge.