Hike uphill to nice views from both sides of a ridge near downtown Boise.

Statistics

0 - 1

hrs

50

m

50

m

4

max°

Difficulty

FATMAP difficulty grade

Moderate

Description

This is one of a few loop variations you can do on Eagle Ridge, which is part of the Military Reserve trail system.

This loop finds nice views from a few different overlooks on two sides of the ridge: On one side is the wooded gulch of Cottonwood creek, and on the other is downtown Boise, with a picturesque perch on a rocky outcrop. Start from the Cottonwood Creek trailhead and walk through the woods to reach a steep staircase on the hillside.

At the top of the stairs, you'll join an old paved road, which twists farther up the hill to a junction with more dirt trails.

A left turn here will take you to a little picnic pavilion overlooking the creek and the foothills.

A right turn leads to the outcrop above the city.

Go to either one first, then keep walking around the top of the ridge to see the other and complete the loop. These trails can be good at any time of year, but are best avoided when they might be icy or muddy because of the steepness.

It's also not the best place on a hot day because the ridge gets full sun and offers no shade.