Boise Recreation

HIKING AND BIKING AND SNOWSHOEING, OH MY

Students find ways to get outside despite the lack of snow. Photo by Axel Quartarone.

Ari Creteau | Staff Writer | culture@stumedia.boisestate.edu

Boise’s lavish landscape has a lot to offer anyone seeking adventure. Compared to last year’s snowmageddon with temperatures averaging 37 degrees in February, the city has been experiencing record high temperatures since the new year, coming close to 60 degrees.

Instead of hitting the slopes, students are exploring other outdoor options around them that are close to home.

Employees at Boise State’s Outdoor Program explained that there is a lot to do outside despite the lack of snow.

“Any sort of trail running in the foothills, just right around Boise, is super accessible,” junior entrepreneurial management major Sydney Chandler said. “And since there’s no snow right now, it’s pretty good.”

Grant Breidenbach, a Boise local and first-year student, has found himself mountain biking in the Boise Foothills to

make up for time that would otherwise be spent skiing. There are over 190 miles of multi-use trails available, allowing access for walkers, runners, bikes, pets and even horses.

Breidenbach explained the current trail conditions have been exceptional.

“Usually they would be muddy and you would be worried about damaging them, but right now they are in fantastic shape,” Breidenbach said.

The Cycle Learning Center hosts an almost two hour ride for all levels of mountain bike riders every Monday at 5:30 p.m. It’s a great time for riders to go outside and get more familiar with what the Boise Foothills have to offer.

Biking aside, Boise has a lot for hikers as well. Some local hikes include Banner Ridge, Mores Creek Summit, Hull’s Gulch Interpretive Trail, Rock Garden, Stack Rock and the classic Table Rock hike. For

students up for a longer drive and longer trails, the Sawtooth Mountains provide a wide variety of day and overnight hikes. Chandler and Ashlyn Molino from Boise State’s Outdoor Program both agree that right now is a great time to get out and hike.

Idaho also has over 130 hot springs for those not in the mood for running or biking. These hot springs can still provide a bit of an adventure.

“I’ve heard that any hot spring that you have to hike to is better than one that’s just off the road,” said Molino.

Some recommended hot springs include Kirkham Hot Springs, Gold Bug Hot Springs, Burgdorf Hot Springs and Boat Box Hot Springs. Kirkham is easy to spot by Highway 21 near Idaho City and at times can be a bit crowded. For a more unique experience, sources suggest trying a short hike to Goldbug for a breathtaking

view or snap an Instagram-worthy pic at Boat Box in Stanley.

These activities may not be every student’s scene, but in the right spot on the perfect day, one can also try snowshoeing. Some fun trails are Stargaze Point, Bear Basin Nordic Center, Bogus Basin and the Activity Barn, to name a few. The Outdoor Program is also hosting a snowshoeing trip Feb. 25 to Mores Creek Summit and has space available for anyone interested.

Hit up downtown Boise for another way to explore locally. Just across the river, students can coffee shop hop, enjoy a fine meal, shop from small businesses, take a look at museums and more.

Boise has a lot to offer, and just in case students still finds themselves wondering what to do this weekend, remember that the best people to ask are the locals.