This easy hike on The North Fork of the Boise River has a lot to offer. If you’re seeking seclusion, this hike offers that. If you like rugged canyon walls, you’ll find it here. If you want to experience the power of nature, this river will show it to you. All of this wraps up into a surprising package of exceptional beauty.

Accessing This Secluded Canyon Hike

The trailhead for this hike is right on the edge of the Sawtooth Mountains north of Idaho City. As you hike in, it feels as if you are entering the gates and walking into the Sawtooths. Getting to the trailhead requires a drive 18 miles above Idaho City before turning onto a dirt road that leads to a number of amazing hikes. You still have another 20 miles to go on the dirt road, but it is well graded and relatively easy going. The worst you’ll experience is a little wash-boarding as you enjoy the mountain views along the way.

Walking Into The Sawtooths

The hike begins by climbing slightly up the wide-open hillside, offering the standard views both up and down canyon. Very quickly, the canyon walls start closing in as you walk into the Sawthooth Mountains. Soon you really do feel all alone as the canyon cuts you off from the outside world downstream. It’s even an intimate feeling: Just you, the river and the rocks.

The hike isn’t difficult. Being a river hike, there’s not a lot of elevation gain. There is some scrambling, though. In the first mile and a half there are numerous landslides (as of 2023) across the trail that do require some sure footing and a little improvisation. It was not too difficult for me, and I would even take the 11-year-old along. But it proved to be a bit much for the Middle Aged Dog, who suffers from a bit of hip dysplasia and doesn’t handle the scrambling very well.

He does love the water, though, and as soon as he was able he was wading in a pool. There were a few small pools that looked promising for human swimming, but I was waiting to find better swimming holes further upstream. I never did get the chance to get in the water since I turned back early after only about 1.3 miles and deciding that I just didn’t want to take the dog over a particularly difficult landslide.

A Couple of Surprises to Add to the Adventure

This canyon promises much more enjoyment, and I plan to return when I can go deeper. It’s a good thing that I didn’t go any deeper, though. I had been ignoring some dark skies the honestly should have served as a warning. Just as I turned around it started to rain a little. Very quickly it turned to hail and it kept coming down throughout the whole hike out. By the time I got back to the car it had become a a downpour of hail and I ended up drenched through.

Fortunately, the day was otherwise warm, the distance was short and quick and I really don’t mind a bit of weather, even when I’m not prepared for it.

@middle.aged.wanderer

On a recent hike along the North Fork of the Boise River in Idaho it started hailing just as I turned around and started back. During the hike down it slowly got worse. Fortunately I wasn’t that far in and it was a warm day. It was a good reminder to check the weather before going into the mountains. Even still, the hike was totally worth it. #hikeidaho #hikingadventures #hike #idahome #idaho #getoutside #totallyworthit #caughtintheweather #enjoymiddleage #idahoadventures #nature #naturelover #wanderlust #weather

♬ original sound – Middle Aged Wanderer

The other surprise came on the drive out. While still 16 miles from the nearest pavement, still 35 miles out of Idaho City, which is itself a good hop out of Boise, the right front tire on the car decided to go flat. Apparently I had been driving around with some excessive wear on the inner edge of the tire and this was its time to go.

The Benefit of Wandering Through Middle Age

But this is one of those times when I appreciate being middle aged. That’s because I’ve been through this before. At an earlier time in life a flat tire would have been a big deal. I would have really ruined an otherwise good day. But with some life experience you learn to deal with challenges and adversities that are part of every day life. When you’re experienced and prepared, a flat tire is nothing more than a bump in the road and the makings of a good memory.

Now that I’m middle aged, when life throws the inevitable wrench in the machine, I usually just nod and smile and say “oh, one of these. I know how to handle this.” Even when I hit something new, something that I have never experienced, the wisdom of middle age gives me the tools to know how to approach a new problem with confidence. It’s one of the things that I love most about being a little bit older and a little bit wiser. I have confidence in the face of life.

All in all, this was an amazing, if far too short of a hike. I loved the solitude and the views were incredible. I definitely want to return and explore this trail much further.

Hike Summary