South Fork Owyhee River

Hikes: D, O, W.
Total Distance, D: 8 miles.
Difficulty: Level III.
Season: April 15-October 1.
USGS Map: Grassy Ridge.
BLM 100K Maps: Riddle, *Bull Run Mtn.
Dirt Road Miles: 21 1/2 gravel, 15 1/2 good dirt.
PLSS Location: Section 9, T15S R4W.

Introduction: As the dirt road miles tell you, this is about as far from civilization as you can get in Idaho! All that driving is worth it, as this trip in the South Fork Owyhee Wilderness Study Area is a world class hike taken by very few humans. Here, in the upper reaches of the Owyhee's biggest fork, you get the best of all desert worlds: rugged, lush side canyon; mellow, deep main canyon; and good condition upland.
  The hike is rewarding but demanding. You must be in good condition, and have excellent routefinding and rock-hopping skills. Also, you must carefully scrutinize weather forecasts, because the access road instantly becomes impassable in wet weather.
  Yes, this is Claude Dallas country; his Bull Camp murders took place about five miles south of this hike. Dallas certainly sought out one of the Lower 48 States' wildest areas.

The Hike: Your goal is the South Fork of the Owyhee River, 3 1/2 rugged miles away. You can return via Grassy Ridge, for an 8 mile loop. Start by heading southsouthwest, towards the side canyon that starts in the northeast quarter of Section 4. Just aim for the south flank of Grassy Ridge and you'll soon see it. The canyon quickly becomes rough. You'll find yourself alternately hiking in the stream bed, to its right, and to its left, as it meanders from side to side. Your progress will be slower than usual! It will, however, be extremely pleasurable, as you enjoy the pristine vegetation on canyon slopes.
  The first landmark is the canyon coming down from Coyote Hole Reservoir (from the left). The next is a side canyon coming in from the west. If you hike the upland loop, you'll cross the very head of this drainage.
  Somewhere around the 4550 level, the going gets tough. Large boulders force detours or all fours (and all fives!) descents. The best routes may take you on steep grassy slopes above the creek. Be careful!
  Mercifully, this only lasts a short time, and you reach a gentle stretch of near-level canyon that tells you the river is coming. Just before you reach the large level bar by the river, watch for a small, grassy drainage coming in from the right (north). Upland loop hikers will use this.
  The South Fork's canyon is magnificent. You may hike up or down the river, with the best views downstream. You can camp on this bar (D O), or on the other side of the river where the 44 Trail comes in. If the mid-day sun is hot in the canyon (and it usually is), you may take a dip in the river. Boaters are rare, even during the April-through-June floating season.
  All good things must come to an end, and what went down must now go up. The best route up quickly dispenses with 500 of the feet you must climb on your return. It then lets you enjoy sweeping views of this most remote corner of the Owyhee Plateau, and intimate visions of the South Fork canyon. Best of all, it lets you out of the side canyon--once is enough! However, it requires expert routefinding skills.
  The route starts in the grassy side drainage you saw just before the bar. It climbs steeply, until the drainage opens up just a bit. It then climbs to the left, to a slightly gentler ridge. You are then looking at two features. Below and to your right is the drainage. Above you are a series of large rock outcrops. Search carefully, and you'll soon find an extremely steep bighorn sheep trail that climbs just below and to the right of the rightmost outcrop. This trail would be too steep for humans to safely descend. However, it's fine for climbing, and soon you are at 4900 feet--500 feet up from the river.
  At this point the slope levels out a bit, and you should bear to your left, aiming for the saddle west and south of 4963. Climb to 5116, and bask in the glory of one of eight distinct WSA's on the Owyhee River and its tributaries.
  From here, look north to the head of a drainage that curves to the right (the drainage of the only side canyon that came into your side canyon from the right). Aim for the ridge at the head of that drainage (just northwest of 5216). The grasses through this area are in good condition.
  Once at that ridge, you can see "civilization", in the form of Coyote Flat Reservoir's scar. Continue due north to the South Fork bench mark at 5321. You can clearly see Juniper Mountain to the north, and your car to the northeast. Congratulations!

Extensions: You could set up a base camp on the South Fork, and spend days exploring the area. Or, you could work your way downstream to the side canyon directly south of the 45 Landing Strip, and come out that way.

Access: Caution! This drive should only be attempted when roads are dry, and there is no chance of rain. Wet weather, or a thaw when the road is wet, can quickly turn the dirt road into a quagmire of what is locally called "gumbo": sticky clay that clings to your tires until your wheelwells are clogged. If you reach Mountain City and the dirt roads are not passable, consider gravel road alternatives at the Owyhee Meanders or on Marys Creek.
  Drive south from Bruneau on ID-51 to the Nevada Line. Continue 3/4 mile, and turn right on a paved road (W1). Continue straight when pavement ends, and then bear right after another 1/2 mile. Twist around a bit, and then 6 miles from the highway, 3 1/2 miles from pavement's end, and 3 miles from where you bore right, turn left on a gravel road that (1987) has a speed limit sign (W2). Take this road 11 miles to a junction (W3), and turn left on a gravel road. After 7 miles, you come to another major junction. If you went straight, you would enter Nevada and reach a pipeline pumping station on the South Fork.
  Instead, turn right on a good dirt road (W4). Take it 4 1/2 miles, and turn right on a dirt road (W5). Go north 4 miles, to the corrals at Four Corners (W6). Bear left through some fences, and after 1/10 mile bear left again. Continue on an almost straight course for 11 1/2 miles, to the point where the road suddenly swings right. This is the trailhead (T), the road junction at 5154 on your USGS Grassy Ridge map, northwest of Coyote Flat Reservoir.