BY LESLIE REGO
We are fortunate to have five distinct mountain ranges in our area. I thought it would be interesting to concentrate on one range per article and so this week I am going to write about the Boulder Mountains.
This range of mountains stretches from Ketchum in the south, nearly to Challis in the north. You can see a major portion of the range from Highway 75, looking east. These peaks, viewed from the highway, constitute some of the highest peaks within the mountain range. The Boulders have 12 summits that are over 11,000 feet and 16 others over 10,000 feet. All of this adds up to one of the highest mountain ranges within Idaho. The tallest peak within the range is Ryan Peak, which reaches 11,714 feet. Earlier this summer I wrote about the mining town of Boulder, which, in its heyday, was the highest town in Idaho.
Certainly all of these facts are interesting, but what does this mountain range evoke within me when I am hiking to one of the beautiful spots within the range? There is an interesting mix of forest and open sagebrush land. Many areas center around heavy spring runoff and are verdant with a wild mixture of wildflowers. As I hike, the terrain is full of interesting plants scattered amongst a multitude of rocks (we are in the Boulders, after all) and so my attention is held rapt to what is by my feet. But every time I look up, my breath catches in my throat. Constantly, soaring above me, are craggy peaks, the crevices filled with snow that remains well into the summer.
Hiking in the Boulders during the autumn is also beautiful. There are plenty of aspen trees peeking through the pine forests, allowing for many views with a splash of vibrant color. Behind the Sawtooth National Recreational Area (SNRA) visitor center are trailheads for several hikes that go within the Boulder Mountains. One of my favorites is the North Fork of the Big Wood River. This trail passes through a broad river valley with views of the Boulder Mountains surrounding the hiker. It is a romantic and majestic hike where one can really be inspired by the Boulders. The mountains create a dramatic backdrop to the rushing waters within the valley.
Hiking in the Boulder Mountains always energizes me. Seeing the mountains rising up around me as I hike is definitely an extraordinary experience.
Leslie Rego is an Idaho Press Club award-winning columnist, artist and Blaine County resident. To view more of Rego’s art, visit www.leslierego.com