Trip Report
I wanted to get out and visit some peaks in my backyard, enjoy some late winter warm temparatures, and work toward my goal of making it to the top of all of the summits in Ada County.
With a nice day in the 50's predicted, I headed out on my Ada County peak bagging adventure.
First peak up was Cinder Cone Butte off of Simco Road near Mountain Home. Cinder Cone Butte rises abruptly out of the surrounding desert. When I reached it, it was in fog. Soon it cleared out though. I could see the top had 3 areas of towers on it. I parked on the south side near a gravel pit. I started going straight up the slope, but the cinder cone was worse than talus, so once I hit an old road I followed it up to the south summit and then over to the north summit.
The Snake River Plain was still a bit foggy, but views were pretty cool with the Danskin, Trinity, and Boise Mountains to the north and the Owyhees to the south.
I dropped straight off the summit to my car, which took like 5 minutes and reminded me of sliding down scree slopes in the big mountains.
Now back at the car, it was time to head to Big Foot Butte. I hadn't brought a GPS, just a Atlas and directions from Mapquest. I guess I should have done better research, as this area is a maze of firing ranges, obstacle courses, and other training facilities for the Air Force and Army.
I soon found myself heading further south than I wanted on Range Road. Once I started heading back north, I climbed a prominent looking peak with a giant cairn and pole on top. I was thinking it had to be named, but it wasn't. However, being on top did allow me to get my bearings and I could see the layout of the roads and features (like Tadpole Lake). I now set my sights a bit more sure where Big Foot Butte was.
When I arrived at the base of Big Foot Butte, I drove to the base of the northern end of the butte. From this aspect, it seemed like the highpoint. After a 10 minute walk, I realized the north point wasn't the highest. I then walked 30 minutes to the center of the butte (yes, it is big!) and found a BM pointing to the east. I walked another 1/4 mile east and found the true BM next to a steel post in cement. It said Basalt Butte, so a bit of panic occurred before I texted Zach and confirmed that was the correct place.
I had an appointment in 2 hours I had to be at, so getting over to Initial Point and Kuna Butte would have to wait another day... however, Christmas Mountain was on the way back.
I followed Range Road to the base of Christmas Mountain. I didn't realize Christmas Mountain had 2 major roads going to the top. With a lot of people out driving, it didn't make sense to eat dust and walk it like I had Cinder Cone and Big Foot. So I drove near the top and then did some minor walking around to "claim" an ascent.
After that side trip, I returned to the Range Road and followed it back to Gowen Field and then home.
Not a wilderness experience by any means, but southern Ada county is interesting terrain to say the least. I look forward to finishing off my last 2 Ada county peaks this spring!
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