Clover Creek

Hikes: D, O.
Total Distance, D: 4-10 miles.
Difficulty: Level II.
Season: April 1-June 15.
USGS Map: Winter Camp.
BLM 100K Map: Glenns Ferry.
Dirt Road Miles: 20 gravel.
PLSS Location: Section 7, T10S R8E.

Introduction: This is a relatively "new" hike on the scene. The BLM, with rare rancher cooperation, closed all grazing in this riparian zone. Coupled with good road access and moderate hiking, this instantly became a very desireable hiking spot. A special attraction is your ability to watch over the years as this once trashed out riparian zone recovers.
  Grazing in this area was bought out by the Air Force at premium rates. Whether this means the Air Force feels it "owns" the area, and it is subjected to even more low-level flights than other Owyhee Plateau areas, remains to be seen.

The Hike: Start by walking on a short road that heads downstream around the back of the pump house. You soon reach the first fence, with a gate. Walk to the second fence, and watch for a stile: a crude ladder over the fence. Apparently, it takes two fences to guarantee a cow-free riparian zone. If that's the price, we need to pay it more often!
  You are now in a disturbed area. Fight your way through a stretch of tall grasses, with an island of good soil and tall sagebrush to the left. At last you reach more typical canyon vegetation: open sagebrush. The best route seems to follow the right side of the stream, sidehilling just a bit up the canyon's side.
  You now have time to examine the stream in detail. It exhibits typical signs of streams in overgrazed areas. First, it has steep banks. This indicates rapid downcutting due to increased runoff from a drainage which has been denuded of vegetation. Second, the steep banks have areas where cows have broken them down, pushing silt into the stream. Third, there are very few large shrubs or small trees shading the stream, cooling the waters. Eventually, there will be abundant willows here, and maybe junipers. These trees may indicate good riparian conditions, but they also make bad hiking as they choke out easier routes along the streamside.
  How far to go? How tough are you? The canyon continues all the way down to the Bruneau, some 12 miles downstream. (And a brief stretch down the Bruneau would bring you to the Austin Trail, where you could hike out to the west rim.) The author reached the stretch of entrenched meanders at the 2 1/2 mile mark (D), and decided he'd seen enough. Farther downstream he observed some wider areas where you could camp (O), and some places where determined hikers could climb out of the canyon to return via the rim (W1).

Access: Drive to the "One Stop" cafe at the junction on the north edge of Bruneau town. Turn left (east) on the paved road, and follow it for 7 3/4 miles. When the pavement ends, continue straight. Drive 19 miles on the gravel, climbing up on the Bruneau-Owyhee Plateau, passing the Bruneau Canyon Overlook turnout, descending to Big Flat Creek, and climbing its far side. Soon after you reach a four-way intersection with a good road heading sharply to the right (W2).
  Take that road 3/4 mile to the canyon rim, where it makes a left turn and starts a short, sharp, rocky descent to the canyon. You can easily park on the canyon rim and walk down the road to the trailhead, a pump house/structure just before a short road to the right. There is limited parking there; you may end up parking back up on the plateau.