Dry Creek Trail
Dry creek trail is a “there and back” trail just north of Boise on the road up to Bogus Basin Ski Resort. It is named for the creek that runs alongside the trail. Despite the name “Dry Creek” the creek is anything but dry. Water flows year-round and is home to redband trout, a native Idaho species. There is even a stop along the trail that provides information on this fish. During the winter months much of the creek freezes on the water’s surface, but several deep pools and the moving subsurface water remain flowing and support life.
There are a few trail options in the area, and even this trail has two options, both are 13.8 miles. The first is to perform the “there and back” version called Dry Creek Trail. The second option is to hike on the Dry Creek Trail, about 2.1 miles in you reach a fork. Here you can choose to either continue along Dry Creek Trail or follow Shingle Creek Trail, the AllTrails app would have you follow Shingle Creek Trail. The hike is called, aptly, Dry Creek – Shingle Creek Loop. It is also 13.8 miles. In the AllTrails app, there are even a few markers where one could camp if they wanted to make the hike over two days instead of completing it all in one day.
While many fall colors have faded by December, the low sun’s light filled the hills with golden light that turned the yellowed grasses and bushes into a radiant landscape. Along the creek were bushes whose leafless branches shone a brilliant red which blended with the berry-bearing bushes whose bright red berries dangled like bells in the chilled air. In the afternoon light, these colors were brilliant and wonderful to behold.
Along the creek, you could easily find ice waterfalls and magnificent ice formations created by the flowing water over rocky surfaces. At one point a small child was in awe of the ice formations he discovered at one of the small falls.
There are also several wood bridges along the trail to allow easy traversal across the creek. These are well made and are nice in the winter to avoid crossing freezing water or ice along wet, probably icy, stones. I imagine these are also nice in the other three seasons to keep your feet dry during this long hike.
Along the trail, there are several points where you can stop and take in the beauty of the water and landscape that surrounds you. If some of the trails are snow-covered, it makes it a little tricky to navigate, especially on some declines. Worse yet, some of the trails may be ice covered. You also have to watch out for mud sometimes, but as long as it has been dry for the last few days you should be okay.
Note: If the trail is very muddy you should not proceed. Hiking along muddy trails can cause damage to the trails and the area around them. Please, plan accordingly and be willing to call off the hike if you encounter muddy trails.
The bridges across the creek are excellent stopping points to hydrate, grab a snack and enjoy the babbling creek and drink in the power of the natural world you’ve immersed yourself in. These are the moments that rejuvenate the soul and heal our spirits. Take the time to breathe deeply and plant yourself firmly in the moment, the present moment. Allow it to fill your senses and permeate your mind, pushing out any thoughts or worries you’ve carried with you. All the natural beauty that surrounds you lifts and lightens the burdens you carry, even if only for a short time.
As you find yourself finishing the hike, take a moment to reflect on the experience. What moments stand out to you? What did you see and smell? What did you feel, both physically and deeply within yourself? Did you learn anything from this experience? Did you discover anything, like a new idea, a plan, a dream, or a goal? What will you do going forward with your life?
These events give us the moments our minds need to find answers. What did yours reveal to you? I hope you find your trail and that it brings you answers to something you need in your life. Happy hiking!
