Castle Creek Outing

This outing takes place just south of Oreana, Idaho.  It basically follows a ridge south with several side-trips to explore.  Four-wheel drive vehicles with high ground clearance are required for this outing.

The "Castle Creek" outing begins in Grandview, Idaho.

Turn right onto Highway 78 from Grand View Road and drive about 17 miles to reach coordinates: 43° 

04.34' north, 116° 23.5' west.  Take the Oreana Road to the left.

After 3.5 miles reach an intersection at coordinates: 43° 01.48' north, 116° 23.49' west.  Turn to the right (south).  Very soon there will be a parking area on the right-hand side of the road for those with vehicles to unload.

After 4.8 miles reach an intersection at coordinates: 42° 57.70' north, 116° 23.96' west.  Take the jeep trail to the left.

After 0.7 miles reach coordinates: 42° 57.42' north, 116° 23.50' west.  There are geodes in this area.  It will take some looking to find them.

After an additional 1.36 miles reach an intersection at coordinates: 42° 56.48 north, 116° 23.59' west.  Take the jeep trail to the left.  In 0.5 miles this leads to a canyon overlook.  Return to this intersection when you are ready and take the jeep trail to the left.

After 0.65 miles reach an intersection at coordinates: 42° 56.00' north, 116° 24.04' west.  Take the jeep trail to the left.  In 0.41 miles this leads to a canyon overlook.  

Return on the jeep trail the way you approached the overlook.  After 0.13 miles reach an intersection at coordinates: 42° 55.88' north, 116° 23.72 west.  Take the jeep trail to the left. 

After 1.22 miles reach an intersection at coordinates: 42° 54.96' north, 116° 24.40' west.  Keep to the right.

After 0.93 miles reach an intersection at coordinates: 42° 55.25' north, 116° 25.41' west.  Take the jeep trail to the left. 

After 1 mile reach coordinates: 42° 54.55' north, 116° 25.33' west.  This is a mine location.  The last descent is a very narrow road and there is not much room at the bottom.  I would recommend NOT taking full-sized vehicles here.

Return on the jeep trail in the direction that you approached the overlook.  

After 0.7 miles reach coordinates: 42° 55.01' north, 116° 25.56' west.   Take the trail to the left.

After 0.19 miles reach coordinates: 42° 55.09' north, 116° 25.72' west.   Take the trail to the left.

After 1.1 miles reach coordinates: 42° 54.27' north, 116° 26.06' west.   This is a location where there are mining ruins of the Armie Number 1 and Armie Number 2 mines.  Return to coordinates: 42° 55.09' north, 116° 25.72' west.  Take the jeep trail to the left.

After 0.3 miles reach coordinates: 42° 55.09' north, 116° 26.09' west.   Take the road to the left.

After 2.27 miles reach coordinates: 42° 54.14' north, 116° 28.32' west.   Take the jeep trail downhill to the left.  At the bottom of this hill is Alder Creek with this mining cabin and the remnants of a mining operation.

Return to the main road and travel north on it.  

After 4.9 miles from the last intersection, reach coordinates: 42° 56.88' north, 116° 24.50' west.   Take the trail to the left.

There is a rocky downhill section which is a little challenging; take care.

At the bottom of the valley, take the trail to the left to reach coordinates: 42° 56.88' north, 116° 25.19' west.   A short hike from the end of this trail is the dam shown below.  This was constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corp in the early 1900's. 

It is an interesting feature out in the arid desert.  I found no evidence that there has ever been a reservoir behind it.

Return to the main road and continue north back to the pavement.  The structures below are located on what I now know is private property; so I am not going to provide directions to them.