Idaho Exposure

When I heard the roar from the propane blast, I turned from my early morning yard work to see the balloon hovering just a few feet above the neighbor's roof. The gentle southwest wind was carrying the craft on a collision course with my home! So naturally, I ran for my camera! At first I thought the pilot was calling to me, requesting assistance. Then I saw another figure walking along the street and realized the pilot was communicating some instructions to him. I continued shooting away, half expecting the balloon to envelop my home momentarily. I had seen the balloons pass low overhead shortly after sunrise on many occasions, always alerted by the familiar roar, and wondered what would happen if they didn't reach the open areas to the west. To my surprise, the pilot from "I'll Fly Away" in Meridian, brought the craft down exactly where he wanted it, carefully avoiding the street lamp. Ten minutes later the chase crew arrived, the balloon was folded into a container, and they were gone. The neighbor never realized what had happened!

16 files, last one added on Aug 04, 2007
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Baron Creek Trail ascends a glacial cut valley southeast from Grandjean for approximately 10 miles, passing three waterfalls and gaining 3100' before reaching Baron Lakes. Crossing Baron Divide, the trail descends to Alpine Lake. 10,297' Baron Peak can be climbed via the strenuous class 3 West Ridge/Face (4000' gain) from where Moolack Creek crosses the trail, about 5 miles from the start. The first two days were hot, with temperatures in the 90's. An early start is highly recommended if anticipating higher temperatures and/or thunderstorms. The views only get better the higher one climbs.

20 files, last one added on Jul 17, 2007
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Camel Falls (5361') is situated in a mature juniper forest about 20 miles SW of Grand View, ID. A group of more than 20 carried in gear and provisions on an overnight adventure that included instruction in rappelling, and setting up a Tyrolean traverse. Rain showers failed to dampen spirits at Saturday evening's barbeque over an open juniper fire, which was followed by the traditional burning of the Peeps. An unannounced visit by the Easter Bunny resulted in a grand egg hunt following a delicious breakfast of turkey, ham and cheese on bagels (for those observing Passover) toasted expertly over the coals by chef Debbie. Leo Hennessey led some of the group on a reconnaissance of the surrounding area Sunday morning. Kudos to Mike and Debbie Allen for organizing an outing that was informative, rewarding, and great fun.

78 files, last one added on Apr 09, 2007
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We parked at 42 deg 39.97 min N, 116 deg 03.00 min W. The group of approximately 12, led by Mike Allen descended SE to Big Jacks Creek, then retraced ourr tracks and climbed another tributary canyon that branched SW. After lunch, we split up; some returned the same way, while the rest continued SSW. Further up, the canyon forked again and we navigated W. When the vertical canyon walls diminished, we ascended SE over the ridge and dropped into the other fork, following it back down. Eventually, we briefly ascended yet another tributary to the NW, not far from the original entry point that began the hike. Climbing N out of the canyon brought us back to our cars, a total distance of around 7 miles.

28 files, last one added on Mar 25, 2007
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Warm, sunny weather and a lower than average flow combined to make this ascent of upper Brown's Creek and Hart Creek a pleasant late winter adventure southwest of Oreana east of the Owyhee Mountains. Some passages in the canyon are only 12 feet wide. One can expect to wade cold waist-deep water, climb slick, exposed rock, bushwhack a section of rose bushes, and skirt poison ivy. The upper Brown's Creek hike was about one mile, starting in the vicinity of 42 deg 57.7 min N; 116 deg 26.3 min W. The Hart Creek slot is about 1/2 mile long, but involved steeper climbing and deeper water. We started near 42 deg 58.0 min N; 116 deg 32.5 min W.

37 files, last one added on Mar 12, 2007
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The Elkhorn Loop is a 7.2 mile groomed cross-country ski trail that starts at the Banner Ridge Park and Ski Lot. We ascended a ridge cross-country, intersecting the Elkhorn Trail on Banner Ridge near the Banner Ridge Yurt. The Cougar Trail lengthens the loop by another 2 miles, rejoining the Elkhorn Loop at the Elkhorn Yurt. We saw evidence of wolves frequenting the area, and were told by the people who stayed overnight At Elkhorn Yurt that they had heard wolves howling during the night. On this particular day, the trail was opened to skiers and snowshoers with dogs to test the feasibility of allowing future access. The state is exploring ways to increase use, thereby increasing desperately needed funds that directly support the Park and Ski program.

21 files, last one added on Mar 13, 2007
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This four mile intermediate level loop snowshoe climbs steeply north from Warm Lake Highway, about 1.8 miles east of Big Creek Summit east of Cascade (44 deg 38.126 min N, 115 deg 46.753 W long, elevation 6210'). The group, organized by Leo Hennessey, climbed about 1000', traversing back and forth along a rock fin to a point about 0.2 miles northeast of a peak marked 6591' on the USGS 7.5 minute topo. After lunch, we found a steep drop where the more ambitious could get some air, freefalling into seven foot drifts at the base of the outcrop. A 600' slope to the east was descended into a densely wooded canyon. We followed a stream flowing south for 1.3 miles, then climbed south to regain the highway. The group relaxed in a hot spring a bit further east along the road.

36 files, last one added on Mar 07, 2007
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