Gooding City of Rocks

Hikes: D, O.
Total Distance, D: 5 miles.
Difficulty: Levels I, II+.
Season: March 15-June 25.
USGS Map: Fir Grove Mountain, McHan Reservoir.
BLM 100K Map: Fairfield.
Dirt Road Miles: 5 gravel, 5 good dirt.
PLSS Location: Section 25, T3S R14E.

Introduction: From the main Gooding City of Rocks trailhead, you can go two ways: east into the Black Canyon Wilderness Study Area, or west in the City of Rocks Wilderness Study Area. These two WSA's are the central pair in a row of four WSA's on the south side of the Bennett Hills. The four are collectively called "the Camas Trail" by conservationists. The four WSA's are separated by poor roads which could easily be closed, so that the WSA's could be linked into one larger wilderness.
  The two primary Indian foods were bighorn sheep and camas roots. Both were found in abundance here, and the Camas Prairie to the north was one of the few areas whose resources could support large, long Native American gatherings for trading and celebrating.
  This hike is actually two: one heading east into the Black Canyon WSA, the other going west into the Gooding City of Rocks WSA. The former gives an easy view of some nice petroglyphs and a gentle canyon. The latter is much rougher, and spends more time in deeper canyons.

The East Hike: Start the east hike by descending the small unnamed drainage just east of the road. In spring, this is a beautiful creek, rich in purple flowered camas plants. Take your time enjoying the rocks and the tiny creek, and when you're ready, cut left (continue east) out of the drainage and climb a ridge (W4).
  The round-topped outcrops on this low ridge exude power: climb one and feel it. Be gentle, though, and try this but once: the thin, platy lava that makes up these unique formations is easily disturbed.
  From the low ridge looking east, Fourmile Creek is at your feet. Look beyond it, and observe the dark lava that forms the rimrock on the plateaus to the east. You should be able to see at least two lines of this rock, which wears an excellent coat of desert varnish. The first is very close, the second across Black Canyon Creek. The rim of the nearest plateau has an outstanding set of petroglyphs along its rimrock. Cross Fourmile Creek, and work your way along that rim, moving south to where a fence meets the rock (W5).
  From here, you have a good view of Black Canyon Creek, and two choices. You can hike north up Black Canyon Creek on a fairly well-defined trail, and then cut back west to the main City of Rocks road. This is a nice, easy way back. You should have no trouble deciding which way to go when you hit the road, if your car is parked where the rocks start.
  Your other choice is to continue east, across Black Canyon Creek, into Level II country. Once across the creek, you climb to the exciting upland area between Black Canyon and Burnt Willow Creeks (on the McHan Reservoir map). This plateau is rough and rocky-be careful. Head east to the rim of Burnt Willow Canyon, and then move south to the neck between the two creeks (D1). (Head east first, to avoid being tricked by the side drainage just north of 5095.)
  The 200 feet of elevation from the neck to the creeks is not great-but nevertheless, this is one of Idaho's most impressive down-up-down-up elevation changes. Obviously, some day one of these creeks will break down the neck and "capture" the other...perhaps when another Ice Age increases the stream flows. Move north a bit from the neck, descend to Black Canyon Creek via the side drainage, and return to your car via the creek.
The West Hike: For the west hike, look below the parking area to the west. You should see Coyote Springs and a camping area. Descend to it, and continue down this drainage to a canyon which starts fairly open, then descends through ever-more looming hoodoos. Eventually, you'll be in the core of the canyon, which is too rough for cows and sheep. Here, you'll find camas meadows and exquisite beauty. When you feel like you've descended enough (D2), climb out to the east, return to the road, and climb back up to your car.

Access: There are two approaches, from the north near Fairfield, and from the south at Gooding. For the northern approach, start at the intersection of ID-46 and US-20, a few miles east of Fairfield, and drive 13 3/4 miles south of the junction. For the southern approach, start at the intersection of ID-46 and US-26, on the south side of Gooding, and drive 8 miles north. Turn west on the well signed City of Rocks Road, and drive a short 5 miles to a major 3 way junction.
  Turn left for City of Rocks, and drive carefully on this pretty good dirt road. (The road to the right heads to a superb view of Fir Grove Ranch, and then deteriorates.) After another mile, turn left again. Starting in 2 miles, you get views across the plateau to the southeast. Many of the dark rock ledges below the plateau rims hold petroglyphs. Another 1/2 mile brings you to the City of Rocks area. Stay left when faint roads head right to Coyote Spring, the cowed out trailhead for the City of Rocks WSA. Park as soon as you enter the rock hoodoos, in a short 1/4 mile.