Sun Valley Insider Secret: Hiking with Lynne Stone

Do you love hiking and the outdoors, but are unsure of the trails and terrain in the area? Why not try a guided hike with one of our local non-profit organizations, the Boulder-White Clouds Council.

Since 1989 the Boulder-White Clouds Council has hosted a summer outings program. Trips go into the Boulders, White Clouds, Sawtooths, Smokeys, Pioneer and Salmon River Mountains. All events are led by volunteers, although donations are accepted to help defray program costs. To learn more about the Boulder-White Clouds Council and their work, please visit http://www.wildwhiteclouds.org/aboutus.html.

Saturday July 20 – Way Back When in Smiley Creek with mining historian Tom Blanchard. We’ll visit the sites of Sawtooth City and Vienna, mining settlements of the 1870’s. What was it like back then? Miners who came here pursuing a dream of gold or silver, left their legacy in many ways including place names like Smiley, Hyndman and others. We’ll observe stacks of cord wood, hand hewn over a century ago to fuel the boilers at the Vienna Mine. There’s also an unusual, stunning creekside flower that grows on Smiley Creek, called Case’s Fitweed (Corydalis caseana) in the Fumitory Family. Smiley Creek is an important biological corridor linking the Smoky Mountains with the Sawtooth Valley and White Clouds. Short walking at historical sites, easy. We’d love to see BWCC supporters who used to go on our tough, long hikes but no longer can, join us on this morning outing!

Wednesday July 24– Lake 9520 Adventure in the White Clouds. We had to cancel this trip last year because the Halstead Forest Fire north of Stanley smoked out the White Clouds. We’re hoping to accomplish this hike before any fires this summer. The approach to the trailhead is through 4^th of July Creek canyon, which burned in the 2005 Valley Road Fire. Regrowth of aspens is stunning and also fireweed and other species which flourish after fire. The first 2 miles of the hike is on trail, the rest is delightful cross country trekking. 7 miles round trip, 1000’ elevation gain. Moderate. High Point 9800’.

Saturday August 3 – Wolves of Sun Valley. Through the winter we observed the wolf packs officially called Hyndman and Red Warrior. We prefer to call the six Hyndman wolves the Sun Valley Pack. By August, we may know how many pups the pack has (last year it was five – two black and three gray). The Red Warrior Pack out Warm Springs doesn’t live on Red Warrior Creek but somewhere else. Join us for an early morning foray into wolfdom. Leaves the Sun Valley area at 6 am. Hiking distance depends on where we have need to go to have the best chance to see wolves or sign. For late sleepers, we will repeat this outing upon request, later in the day and a different date.
 

Hikers – come prepared for any type of weather like chilly ridge top winds and thunderstorms. Bring lunch, plenty of water, insect repellent and sunscreen. Carpooling is encouraged. We adore dogs but not everyone does, and prefer dogs be left at home. However, if you must, drive your own car and keep Fido on a leash.

To help defray the cost of this program, they are asking a donation of $5.00 for BWCC members and $10 for non-members. Annual membership is $30. Your support is appreciated. BWCC is a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation. Our Federal Tax I.D. Number is 82-0433602.

Check out their website for photo galleries on past outings! http://www.wildwhiteclouds.org/events.html