Zeno Canyon

Hikes: D, O.
Total Distance, O: 9 miles.
Difficulty: Levels I, III+.
Season: April 15-October 1.
USGS Maps: Hill Pasture, Wickahoney Point.
BLM 100K Map: Glenns Ferry.
Dirt Road Miles: 10 gravel, 6 good dirt.
PLSS Location: Section 2, T11S R3E.

Introduction: Zeno Canyon is a side canyon to Duncan Creek, which in turn is the largest tributary to Big Jacks Creek. Leading to superb Zeno Falls, this is probably the best hike in the Duncan Creek Wilderness Study Area.
You can either stay on the plateau and seek viewpoints at Zeno Springs or the tip of The Island (Level I), or travel a rugged loop down Zeno and up Duncan Creek canyons (Level III+). As tough as the canyon hike is, with lots of brushwhacking and up and down climbing, this is one of the most hikeable canyons on the Owyhee Plateau. The Plateau here is around 5700 feet, so be prepared for wind, rain, and cold.

The Hike: Day hikers have two possible goals: the spring in Section 11, southwest of 5665 (2 miles), or the tip of The Island (3 1/2 miles in). Loop hikers will go out via the spring, and return via The Island. For the spring, start by hiking due north, moving increasingly west of Duncan Creek.
  At last you cross the small creek that is the start of Zeno Canyon (W1). It is fascinating to watch the very beginning of canyon formation, in this shallow depression whose sides shelter snowbanks in early season. Continue north on the west side of this drainage, and you'll suddenly come to a view of Zeno Canyon (D), near the spring that provides the waters that have cut the gorge.
  Loop hikers should descend here, and begin their journey downcanyon. The route requires extensive brushwhacking. Watch for deer trails that climb above the willows in the stream bottom: they require more climbing, but allow faster, smoother travel. At last, you round a bend like many others, and come to one of the greatest surprises in Idaho's high desert: Zeno Falls. It is spectacular! There is a small camping area at its base, below Hicks Spring (O).
  You can return the way you came, or continue down Zeno Canyon a short ways to Duncan Creek. Since there is less brush, the going along Duncan Creek is much easier than Zeno Canyon. You have two choices for your route along Duncan Creek. You can stay in the canyon and follow the meandering creek all the way back to your car. Or, you can locate one particular very steep side canyon to climb up and out onto The Island. To do this, you must monitor your progress up Duncan Creek with extreme care.
  One successful route (and there are unsuccessful blind canyons) followed the first side canyon to the east of the line between Sections 1 and 2 (partly on both USGS maps) (W2). This canyon brings you just southeast of the tip of The Island. It requires a nasty initial scramble up a rocky slope, which finally turns into a gentler climb through ungrazed areas.
  Another possible route out (not tried, but observed) might be via the intermittent stream that leaves the patch of trees at the base of Section 1.
  Once back on top of The Island, you have a fine view and very easy going. There are fairly well-defined paths along The Island's crest that lead back to Duncan Creek Crossing.

Access: Drive to the intersection of ID-51 and ID-78 south of Bruneau. Go south on ID-51 25 3/4 miles to an intersection where good gravel roads lead east and west, just past Milepost 45 (W3). Turn right (west) on the Wickahoney-Battle Creek Road, which is a good gravel route. Stay on the gravel road, which cuts left and passes old Wickahoney Station.
  It then bears right, crosses Wickahoney Creek and heads for Jimmy Cappel Hill. After climbing the hill, you continue along the plateau to Duncan Creek Crossing, about 15 miles from the highway (T). This is, unfortunately, one of the most overgrazed spots in Owyhee County, but things will improve as you move away from water and then into the rough canyon.