Hard Trigger Falls

Hard Trigger Falls is a very interesting set of cascading small waterfalls located in Owyhee County Idaho south of Givens Hot Springs.  Just upstream of the lower parking area is a fantastic canyon whose beauty by itself makes it worth the trip.  There are two ways to access the waterfalls.  

You can drive to the mouth of Hard Trigger Creek canyon, park your vehicle and hike up the sand wash about 1 mile to reach the falls areas.  There is a nice foot trail for the entire hike.  This approach is only practical if the sand wash is dry.  However, if the sand wash is dry, you will not have any water flowing down the waterfalls so you will miss the namesake of the area. 

The Hard Trigger Falls area is within the BLM's Hard Trigger Horse Management Area for wild horses.  The BLM maintains this herd at about 65-130 animals.   The one time I hiked into the waterfall area following the dry creek bed, we could smell horses for the entire walk, but we never saw any.  

Safety notice:

Any large, wild animal can be dangerous.  Wild horses are no different.  These are wild animals, and the herd stallion can be very protective of his ladies.  Do not approach them.  I have watched stallions go crazy, rearing, and whinnying when we were a good 1/4 mile away.  I have also had them walk right up to us when we were sitting still on an ATV.    

The drive to this trailhead can be done with almost any vehicle.  Four-wheel drive is not required but decent ground clearance is a good thing.

• From Givens Hot Springs, drive west on US 78.  4.6 miles to Opaline Road.  US 78 curves to the right here.  Continue straight for 0.9 miles to Clark Road.

• Turn left and drive south for 2 miles.

• Coordinates: 43° 25.80' north, 116° 46.92' west, take the jeep trail to the left for 2.3 miles making sure to stay on the main trail.

• Coordinates: 43° 24.38' north, 116° 45.29' west.   Take the trail uphill to the left for 1 mile.

• Coordinates: 43° 23.97' north, 116° 44.35' west.   Arrive at lower parking area.

I regret that I do not yet have any good photographs of the falls with water actually flowing.  I need to go back in the spring when the creek is running high!

If the sand wash has water flowing through it, I would recommend driving further and circle around to come in above the falls.   This requires a four-wheel drive vehicle with good ground clearance.  The final 1/4 mile or so must be on-foot.

• From lower parking area, continue driving east on the jeep trail for 1.1 miles to coordinates: 43° 23.55' north, 116° 43.31' west

• Turn right on the jeep trail for 0.5 miles to coordinates: 43° 23.27 north, 116° 43.56' west.

• Turn right on the jeep trail for 0.8 miles to coordinates: 43° 23.23 north, 116° 44.41' west and arrive at the upper parking location.

• Walk past the sign stating that only foot traffic is allowed and walk downhill southwest to Hard Trigger Creek.  The falls area extends about 100 yards at the bottom of the trail.

• Return the way you came in.

There is a nice side loop when in the area that can be used as an alternative way back to the starting point.  This drive goes by some very interesting geology and mines.  This drive does require a four-wheel drive with good ground clearance.

• Return the way you came in until reaching a major intersection at coordinates: 43° 24.38 north, 116° 45.29' west.  

• Turn left and drive 2.3 miles until reaching coordinates: 43° 22.70 north, 116° 45.25 west. 

• Turn right and drive 2.8 miles until reaching coordinates: 43° 21.70 north, 116° 45.14 west. 

• Turn right and drive 1.9 miles until reaching coordinates: 43° 22.34 north, 116° 50.15 west. 

• Turn right and drive 0.6 miles until reaching coordinates: 43° 22.81 north, 116° 50.28 west.  

• Turn right and drive 0.8 miles until reaching coordinates: 43° 23.07 north, 116° 48.39 west.  

• Continue straight and drive 0.7 miles until reaching coordinates 43° 23.37' north, 116° 49.37' west.

• Continue straight and drive 3.7 miles until reaching coordinates 43° 25.80 north, 116° 46.92' west.

• Continue north on the main road until reaching Opaline Road.  Turn right until reaching Highway 78.  

• Continue straight and return to Givens Hot Springs.