(November 29th, 2011) This hike off Mud Flat Road south of Grand View, Idaho was very nice. Following Lone Juniper Creek for the 1st half of the hike was the easy part. The 2nd part of the hike was climbing the saddle between Lone Juniper Creek and Fall Creek to the 5,740 foot mark was a little more difficult. The usual Owyhee solitude was enhanced by doing this “winter” hike on a weekday. Thanks to a job interview in Grand View I was able to hit the trail rather quickly.
The Lone Juniper Hike
Parking just off Mud Flat Road at 42.749165, -116.309578, Addie my dog and I headed west along a dirt road. We encountered a few cows and for the first time Addie actually took some interest in them. Neither animal species seem to like each other much but the cows quickly gave way without much of a fuss.
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| From BondyWeb Idaho Photo |
There are a few gate crossings going from BLM and into Idaho State lands. Both fences were open when we got to them. At about the half way mark to my destination (the saddle at 42.743984, -116.341866) the trail heads south and gains about 1,000 in elevation rather quickly. The higher we went the more scenic it became with views across the Snake River Plains into the snow cover mountain of the Boise National Forest.
See a Video of a aprt of this Hike
Animals Seen and Not Seen
We caught a glimpse of a coyote on the Fall Creek side of the saddle and a few mule deer on the neighboring hillside. The usual crows drove the dog crazy and there were plenty of smaller birds to keep her happy. I spotted what likely was a mountain lion foot prints in a muddy spot about 10 feet of the trail which kind of put me on edge. But Addie the plott hound did not seem too impressed.
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| From BondyWeb Idaho Photo |
Why I Love This Area
The Owyhee’s are such an underused piece of public land that on most days you’re lucky to ever see another person out there. You can easily get away from it all, with little or no chance of getting turned around (i.e lost). I find the wide open and treeless mountains are ideal for their sweeping views and interesting geology. The Owyhee’s give you at least a fighting chance for some quality rock hounding but the Mud Flat area hasn’t been very productive for me…ever.
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| From BondyWeb Idaho Photo |
What Annoys
Cattle…plain and simple. I haven’t found one area in the Owyhees that haven’t been grazed and pooped on by cattle. While “we the people” own this land, the BLM and State of Idaho appear to favor receiving about $1.35 per animal a month as they graze away on the sagebrush. It would be kind of nice if they would give “the people” a few “cow patty free acres” in the Owyhees. But please don’t let this grazing activity scare you away from this area. As I said, the hiking is great down there.
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| From BondyWeb Idaho Photo |
Hike Stats
Mileage: 4.29 miles
Elevation Gain/Loss: 1,104 feet
Average Slope: About 9%
Average Slope Heading Up Saddle: 17.2%
Creek Crossings: only 1
Map of my GPS Track
View Larger Map
Comments or Questions
Please leave a comment or a question for me about this Lone Juniper Creek hike. There is still a long Owyhee hiking season left before the rattlers reemerge from their winter time siesta. And don’t forget to check back here for some more Bondyweb Outdoor Adventures.
Thanks,
