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Boise help requested

PostPosted: Fri Apr 02, 2010 5:25 pm
by Tonka
I'm coming in to Boise (spur of the moment) on April 22nd and have both Friday and Saturday wide open. I've never been to Boise so I'm wondering what's a guy and girl to do? We would like to get a couple day hikes/climbs in and we don't need to stay right in Boise. In case Martha is lurking I will also be doing my own research but you can't beat the inside info. :) A long day is fine but nothing that can't be handled with day packs and trekking poles. We could bring snowshoes if needed.

Thanks for your help.

PostPosted: Fri Apr 02, 2010 7:18 pm
by DrGranola
Luck Peak is a great hike. I have done it several times and you will probably still need snowshoes for the upper slopes. Its a good day hike and has great views of the valley. Peak 4987 (cervidea peak) is also a good local hike, although it might be a bit muddy right now. If you want full on climbing, peep table rock and the black cliffs. Both have lead climbing and top roping routes. There are also park and ski areas up HWY 21 that have good snowshoeing trails.

Have a great trip!

PostPosted: Fri Apr 02, 2010 9:28 pm
by BeDrinkable
If you're up for more of a drive and snowshoe conditions, there are several possiblities near Lowman. Jackson Peak and Freeman Peak spring to mind. You'll proabably want to check back in a couple weeks for an update on conditions. It was a dry winter but we've had a wet week and it should continue for a few days. The snow is pretty unstable at the moment.

PostPosted: Fri Apr 02, 2010 11:03 pm
by splattski
At the end of April, anything higher than about 5k will probably still need snowshoes.
It would be helpful to know more what you are interested in- trail hikes or wilder outings, peaks, canyons, etc. and also how far you want to (or don't want to) drive from Boise.
Lacking that, here are a couple of lists (includes dates to give you an idea on conditions):

Super Dave's Boise Mountains
http://idahoalpinezone.com/index.php?p= ... -Mountains

Splattski Boise area
http://www.splattski.com/overview/idaho ... html#boise

Splattski April adventures
http://www.splattski.com/overview/april.html

Alternately, you can pick up a copy of "Idaho, A Climbing Guide", the must-have for exploring or dreaming about Idaho mountains

PostPosted: Sun Apr 04, 2010 8:55 pm
by Tonka
splattski wrote:At the end of April, anything higher than about 5k will probably still need snowshoes.
It would be helpful to know more what you are interested in- trail hikes or wilder outings, peaks, canyons, etc. and also how far you want to (or don't want to) drive from Boise.
Lacking that, here are a couple of lists (includes dates to give you an idea on conditions):

Super Dave's Boise Mountains
http://idahoalpinezone.com/index.php?p= ... -Mountains

Splattski Boise area
http://www.splattski.com/overview/idaho ... html#boise

Splattski April adventures
http://www.splattski.com/overview/april.html

Alternately, you can pick up a copy of "Idaho, A Climbing Guide", the must-have for exploring or dreaming about Idaho mountains


Thanks Splattski.

We are flying in on Thur and out on Sun and we will have a car so we are by no means tied to Boise the city. We would be more interested in a wilder (most of a day) outing but nothing overly technical. We would prefer to obtain the summit of something but conditions will dictate that.

PostPosted: Sun Apr 04, 2010 11:18 pm
by splattski
Looking briefly at a few of the climbers logs you've signed, I'd suggest Galena Peak. It's about 3 hours from Boise, Class 2, and around 4000' gain. It's lower than the peaks you've done in Colorado, but probably a bit more adventurous and wild, and it's unlikely you'll see anyone else.
http://www.summitpost.org/route/278039/sw-ridge.html

http://www.splattski.com/2008/galena/index.html

PostPosted: Tue Apr 06, 2010 5:45 pm
by Tonka
splattski wrote:Looking briefly at a few of the climbers logs you've signed, I'd suggest Galena Peak. It's about 3 hours from Boise, Class 2, and around 4000' gain. It's lower than the peaks you've done in Colorado, but probably a bit more adventurous and wild, and it's unlikely you'll see anyone else.
http://www.summitpost.org/route/278039/sw-ridge.html

http://www.splattski.com/2008/galena/index.html


Yep, Galena would be about perfect for us and it seems very straight forward. Will make that the target for Friday (will have a backup in case of weather) and hit something short from one of the Boise lists on the way back to town on Sat. This will give us the opportunity to drive through a range I've never been in.

PostPosted: Tue Apr 06, 2010 5:57 pm
by mrh
Sounds like you have it worked out. But if you need a weather back up, consider the Owyhee Canyon country southwest of Boise. Low elevation, warm and lots of neat rocks.

PostPosted: Tue Apr 06, 2010 6:19 pm
by splattski
MRH makes a good suggestion. Here's one such hike:
http://www.splattski.com/1990s/squaw_creek/index.html

Note: Don't go to the Owyhees if the roads are wet. The clay-type soil (we call it gumbo) will stop even the most aggressive-type 4WD rig.

PostPosted: Fri Apr 16, 2010 5:49 pm
by Tonka
Heading out on Thursday and wondering what the conditions are like near Sun valley. We will be trying to do Galena on Friday and I've been using Stanley in Weather.com for my info. My GF is coming in from a business trip so she just has a carry on and I will be hauling all our gear from Mpls. Sounds like I need snowshoes but... crampons..ice axe? Would I have some options to get in a little pratice (she does not own either)? We still have Staurday open also.

PostPosted: Sat Apr 17, 2010 11:18 pm
by Smoove910
Weather has been in the upper 70's here in Boise. The Stanley (Sawtooth) area is in the lower 60's today, but still plenty of snow. I would take snowshoes for sure, and crampons/axe optional.