Boise Front and Shaw Mountain

Approximately 1/2 of the people who live in Idaho, live in the Treasure Valley.  Regardless of where you might be in the Treasure Valley, the Boise Front is prominent to the north.   However, you would be amazed by how few of the area's residents have explored the foothills.

Recreational opportunities abound in the Boise foothills.  The city's Founding Fathers had the foresight to plan for and create public access areas.  There are trails which are open to all vehicles, there are trails that are open to only motorcycles, there are trails that are designated for mountain bikes and others for only hiking.  There are equestrian trails complete with trailheads designed for unloading horse trailers.  There are dispersed restroom facilities at some of the trailheads.

Much of the Boise Front is private land.  Virtually all land from the Cottonwood Creek - Aldape Summit drainage west, is private.  Shaw Mountain, the mountain east of the Cottonwood Creek - Aldape Summit is mostly public lands managed by: Idaho Department of Lands, BLM, Idaho Fish and Game.  Once you reach the summit of the Boise Front, the Boise National Forest begins.  Private lands remain scattered around the edges of the National Forest.

Some of these landowners have been kind enough to allow limited-use access across their property.  The key is knowing which lands are open for use, and which are privately controlled; and then acting respectfully.  

For much of the Boise Front, this information is directly available to you thanks to the years of hard work by the Ridge to Rivers organization.  They have created and kept updated approved land use maps.  Please reference this website:  Ridge to Rivers.   Idaho's trespassing laws require the individual obtain permission from the landowner prior to accessing their land so the work that has been done by the Ridge to Rivers group has been invaluable for those who recreate in this area.

Safety notice:

The Boise Front is very close to town but realize that it is as wild as the primitive areas in the state.   Personally, I have seen wolves, moose, bear, coyotes, pronghorn, elk, mule deer, white tail deer, turkeys, and rattlesnakes in this area.  When recreating here, treat it the same as a wilderness excursion.  

Let me share some additional exploring opportunities.

Rocky Canyon to Aldape Summit:

This is the route used annual for the Robie Creek Fun Run.   To access this road, start at St. Luke's Hospital in downtown Boise.  Take Reserve Street going north.  

When Reserve Street meets Table Rock Road, take Shaw Mountain Road to the left.  Continue on this road all of the way to Aldape Summit, the only summit on the road.  This is a all-season gravel road which becomes impassable and closed in the winter.  Most cars should be able to make this drive when the road is dry.

Once reaching Aldape Summit, you may continue straight.  This road will come out at Robie Creek and eventually, US 21.

Boise Ridge Road:

From Aldape Summit, there is a jeep trail going to the left (north) and heading uphill.  From this point on, you will need a four-wheel drive with high ground clearance.

There are several jeep trails which can be taken off the Boise Ridge Road.   In addition, there are a number of approved motorcycle trails.  However, many of the trails which exist are not approved for motorize use.  Reference the Ridge to Rivers map and the Boise National Forest Travel Plan to determine which trails are open for motorized use, and what the vehicle restrictions are.

On the Boise Ridge Road, you will encounter the first road after about 1.6 miles.  There is a jeep trail which heads off to the right.  This trail is not to heavily rutted, and it winds its way down to Robie Creek Road.  Once reaching Robie Creek Road, turn right to return to US 21.  

If you continue down the Boise Ridge Road an additional 3.2 miles you arrive at an intersection.  The road going off to the left is 8th Steet Road Extension.  This road can be taken back to Boise.

If you continue down the Boise Ridge Road an additional 11.8 miles you arrive at an intersection with Bogus Basin Road.  Bogus Basin is about 5 miles north.  

If you take the road to Bogus Basin, the pavement ends at the ski lodge parking lot.  Continuing on the Boise Ridge Road will take you to Harris Creek Summit which is between Horseshoe Bend to the west and Placerville to the east.

Shaw Mountain:

Shaw Mountain is the mountain which is just west of US 21 outside of Boise.  The summit of this mountain is called "Lucky Peak".

The Valley Fire of October 2024 has caused the access to this mountain to be closed for an indetermined amount of time.  Keep checking to see when travel restrictions are lifted.

Safety notice:

Shaw Mountain provides winter range for elk, deer, and pronghorn.  The Valley Fire burned almost all of the critical winter range.  Visitors are discouraged from hiking in this area during the winter to minimize the stress on the animals.

The Shaw Mountain jeep trails are accessed via. Highland Valley Road which takes off to the west of US 21 about one half of the way between Lucky Peak Dam and Highland Valley Summit (Hilltop).   This road is typically closed from some time in November until Memorial Day.

In the past, you were able to drive to the top of the summit and then drop down the other side to come out near Aldape Summit.  These roads were closed by the landowners due to the damage being done by visitors.  

In addition, Boise State University has established a bird research center on the top of Lucky Peak Summit.  As a result, there is a gate on the road and a small parking area.  Visitors are welcome to walk to the top.  It is a very cool project:  Intermountain Bird Observatory - IBO Home Page.