SOUTHERN IDAHO: OWYHEE MIDDLE FORK

JUNE 2015

OWYHEE MIDDLE FORK

The Middle Fork of the Owyhee was my very first trip into the Owyhees after moving to Boise, and I was blown away by the scenery. While the Owyhees definitely contain some National Monument worthy scenery and geologic features, they are relatively unknown due to there being such poor access to them. The hike up Middle Fork Canyon begins at the Three Forks parking area where the Main, Middle and North Forks of the Owyhee all come together. The last few miles of road to Three Forks can get muddy, so only attempt to drive it when it is dry. Also, the last mile or so from the canyon rim down to the Owyhee River is a bit rough. The first time I visited it appeared a bit too rocky for my Corolla, so I parked in the parking area above and rode my bike down. I probably could have made it in the car, but I decided to play it safe. I'm guessing I hiked about seven miles each way for an approximately fourteen mile round-trip hike, but I'm not really sure. I just remember being completely exhausted when I finished.

Once at the bottom of the canyon, you will take a left and follow the dirt road until it cross a bridge. Cross the bridge and continue on the dirt road a bit further until a stream crosses over it. This is the Middle Fork of the Owyhee. There is a dirt road following along the left side of the stream for a little while, but eventually you will need to head down the stream and walk along it. The going is rough, as there is no trail and a lot of large weeds and brush. Eventually, the canyon will narrow and you will be required to walk in the stream. This is where the scenery becomes amazing with high rock walls and hoodoos along the sides of the stream. Eventually, you will come to a wide pool that you will need to swim across. I brought a dry bag to keep my camera and food dry. I also brought a wet suit for extra courage going through the brush and water. I got a little nervous on some sections, because the grass is so high, you can't see where you are stepping. I saw at least one snake in the canyon. There were also fairly large crayfish along the bottom of the stream, that really looked out of place in such a harsh desert.

Eventually the canyon opened up just past some waterfalls. This is where I turned around. As I was hiking in June, I remember the heat being brutal once the canyon opened up again on the way back. I was just barely able to make it up the steep climb from the bottom of the canyon back up to my car at the canyon rim. Looking at a satellite image of the Middle Fork after my hike, I saw that there was another long narrows section located just a mile or so past where I had turned around that looks like it would be amazing to walk through. It is on my to-do list, but may require a backpack trip, as I was just barely able to hike the bit I did in one day. Again, while the scenery is stunning, some joy is taken away by the rough walk through tall weeds required to get to and from the narrows. This hike would likely be more pleasant in spring or fall, though the water level could be significantly different during these seasons.