Boise, ID: Willow Creek | Hiking in Idaho

Boise, ID: Willow Creek

Payoffs are big on this remote 7.8-miler in the Smoky Mountains: No crowds, beautiful mountain views, and steamy hot springs.

Author:	Intrepid64
Date:	19 Jun 2009 7:43:16 PM
Activity:	Hiking ActivitySearchHiking
State:	Idaho (ID)
Distance:	3.87 mi (Change units)
Elevation:	Total Gain: 2689 ft Total Loss: 679 ft Net Change: 2010 ft
Difficulty:	5 / 10
Tags:	prairie, Smoky Mountains, Boise, Idaho
Rating:	Unrated Rate it

Mapped by Jason Kauffman

TO TRAILHEAD: From Main St. and ID 51/US 20 in Mountain Home, follow US 20 N for 27 mi. Turn L onto Wood Creek Rd. In 9.3 mi., bear L onto FS 61. In 18.5 mi., turn R onto S. Boise River Rd. In 6.9 mi., turn L onto Willow Creek Rd. Go 1.6 mi. to parking.

Position Format:	Datum:

Tracks

WIL02

Dist: 0.04 mi	Points: 2	Calories: none
Time: none	Speed: 0.0 mph	Pace: 0:00 / mi

Willow Creek (Track 2)

WIL01

Dist: 3.83 mi	Points: 124	Calories: none
Time: none	Speed: 0.0 mph	Pace: 0:00 / mi

Willow Creek (Track 1)

Points of Interest

WIL001

Location: 43.626709°, -115.134193°
Walk N along trail, hugging the wooded banks of Willow Creek

WIL002

Location: 43.636356°, -115.131104°
Keep L @ Y. Faint spur trail on R leads 200-ft. to a string of natural hot springs (perfect for a posthike dip)

WIL003

Location: 43.640221°, -115.129608°
Trail tunnels through fragrant stands of mossy, old-growth ponderosa pines; continue NE

WIL004

Location: 43.643505°, -115.126122°
Wind across treeless S-facing slopes; scan hillsides above for grazing deer that blend into the landscape

WIL005

Location: 43.644245°, -115.123009°
Path bends to the NE. Views extend upstream where canyon widens

WIL006

Location: 43.649429°, -115.114693°
Cross Edna Creek before it pours into Willow Creek on the R. Next, stay R on main trail where faint path enters on the L

WIL007

Location: 43.658596°, -115.110085°
Trail cuts through pinched, steep-sided canyon. Watch footing on rock-strewn sections

WIL008

Location: 43.662903°, -115.109756°
Follow canyon's course E along base of cliffs that flank N side of path. In .6 mi., cross expansive boulder field that blankets slopes to the NW

WIL009

Location: 43.664913°, -115.098129°
Haypress Creek flows down gulch on L. Take off packs and grab a snack at this quiet spot. Next, return to WPT 2 and turn hard L onto spur trail to reach hot springs

WIL010

Location: 43.636890°, -115.130646°
Pick a hot pool; feel tight muscles relax in thermal waters as you soak up mountain backdrops. Return to WPT 2; turn L to trailhead