Idaho Hikers & Backpackers - Where Friends and Nature Meet

https://docs.google.com/document/d/16TZaqHA0EDCydQvPg0m_Dz3AJWcp-lhz9jgUxipFSOU/edit?usp=sharing

• You can also visit our YouTube channel to get a feel of our backpacking trips: www.youtube.com/@Idaho_hikers_and_backpackers

Where to Meet:
Meet at John's house:
Address: 241 W. Moray St, Middleton, ID 8364

For questions about the class contact John Sinclair at 916-812-2037

We will take the Indian Grove Trail to the Indian Grove Campsite from the Emery Creek Picnic Area. The campsite is actually a horse camp. There is a picnic table, firepit, fire wood, and grass to put your tent on. I have a permit for up to 12 people. Spots are limited (only sign up if you have a good chance of going). We are allowed to make a fire to keep warm.

Guests must sign up through Meet up and officially join the event.

Distance: 2.4 miles each way. The trail starts gradually uphill for the first mile then flatten outs.
Check out my photo description and youtube video from my recent visit (in the works).

Check out the AllTrails Route here :
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/idaho/indian-grove?u=i&sh=3zxf7n
Elevation gain: about 800 feet
Difficulty level: Beginner:
Definitions used by Idaho Hikers and Backpackers:
"Beginner’s backpack: These trips are designed for members with no or minimal experience. Members are learning to use their gear and how to adapt to eating and sleeping in the wilderness. Base weights may be heavier than average. They may feel uncomfortable with wind and rain while camping. The trip is suitable for any age. There will not be any significant elevation gain, hazards or navigation challenges. Backpackers are comfortable with a trip under 10 miles."

Itinerary:
Saturday:
After our short backpack to Indian Grove, we will set up our tents, break for lunch and head out on the nearby North Creek Trail. We can choose our distance but we will probably keep it to 5 miles. We will return to camp for dinner. A few of us may go back to the trailhead and repark our cars closer to Indian Grove on the alternative trail entrance for the early hike the next day. The alternative trailhead is 1.5 miles from Indian Grove.
Sunday:
- Group leaves camp by 6:00 am for sunrise hikers, or later for those who want to go home. We hike to the alternative trailhead.
The sunrise hike is an off trail 4.3 mile out and back hike near by up Smoky Mountain. Great views of the park!. We will start in the twilight. A high clearance vehicle is needed for about 1.5 miles. If we don't have one, then we will walk from the equestrian parking lot, which is just across from the Smoky Mountain campground.
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/idaho/smoky-mountain-trail

What to bring:
This is a fall backpacking trip with colder temperatures. The gear required will depend on the temperatures. The good news is it is a short easy hike to the campsite so you can carry lots of layers (even a small blanket?). We can also make a fire. A quick google search shows the average temperature in Albion (near City of Rocks), on November 1st is approximately 48°F , with a typical low of around 25°F and a high of 51°F.

• Suggest sleeping back rated to 15 degrees or less or 20 sleeping bag liner 10 degree liner.
• Foam sleeping pad (full length)
• Air mattress. Suggestion: Xtherm
• Nalgene to make a hot water bottle at night. This is pure bliss when you get into your sleeping bag. Check out this video: Hot water bottle
• Stove
• Thermos for warm drinks, tea, coffee, hot coco, etc.
• 2 litters water.
• Head lamp
• Midweight gloves. E.g, Mechanix wear Winter gloves
• Wag bag or trowel for human waist
• An orange hat or something orange on your person. Hunting is allowed in the park. Unlikely, we would encounter hunters but just an added safety measure. Visit your local gas station for a splendid selection of orange fashions or get something from a holloween store.

Policies:

* Please do not bring any alcohol or drugs*

• Fires are not to be left unattended.
  No firearms or weapons

* Leave no trace - so bury or carry out your poop*
* If you are unable to complete, you may drop out at any time. However, you are responsible for your own transportation/way back. Everyone must be able to hike to Indian Grove or you will be asked to turn around and camp somewhere else in the park.
* Be honest about your abilities
I am not a guide but a facilitator. Please come prepared to contribute to the objective. I put a significant amount of time planning to ensure the safety and enjoyment of all participants. By signing up, you agree to be responsible for your own safety. Please inform the organizer as soon as possible with any cancellations but no later than 6 pm the night before the meet up. Last minute sign ups welcomed. No shows/no communication is unfair to others who are on the waitlist and makes planning difficult for the organizer. Please review our no-show policy. If you are sick, please stay home and hike with us another time. I reserve the right to take photos and videos of group members in order to promote the the group.

I understand that during my participation in this Outing, I may be exposed to risks and hazards, foreseen or unforeseen, which are inherent and cannot be eliminated without diminishing the Outing.
These inherent risks include, but are not limited to, the dangers of serious personal injury, property damage, and death (“Injuries and Damages”) from exposure to the hazards of travel, location, and weather.
I agree that the Organizer (s) has not tried to contradict or minimize my understanding of these risks. I know that Injuries and Damages can occur by natural causes or activities of other persons, animals, trip members, trip leaders or third parties, either as a result of negligence or because of other reasons. I understand that risks of such Injuries are involved in adventure travel such as this Outing and I accept that I must exercise extra care for my own person and for others around me in the face of such hazards.
I understand that on this Outing there may not be rescue or medical facilities or expertise necessary to deal with the Injuries to which I may be exposed.
To the fullest extent allowed by law, I agree to WAIVE, DISCHARGE CLAIMS, AND RELEASE FROM LIABILITY the Organizer from any and all liability on account of, or in any way resulting from Injuries and Damages, even if caused by the negligence of the Organizer or other participants in any way connected with this Outing. I further agree to HOLD HARMLESS the Organizer (s) from any claims, losses, Injuries and Damages caused by my own negligence while a participant on the Outing.
I understand and intend that this assumption of risk and release is binding upon my heirs, executors, administrators and assigns. I have read the Outing description and this Release of Liability in its entirety and I freely and voluntarily assume all risks of such Injuries and notwithstanding such risks, I agree to participate in the Outing. I have read, I understand, and I agree to this Release of Liability.

1. it is hunting season in Idaho and everyone must wear something orange, e.g., a hat, beanie or pumpkin on their head (LOL) - you can visit any gas station in Idaho to pick this up.
2. You must bring a bear canister/Ursac/bear hang and bear spray to join
3. Upon sign up, please sign and send me the release of liability form form to scottiebussell@gmail.com**.** If you don't have a scanner, please bring a signed copy to the event.

If we go north (heads):
- Our goal will be 14.55 miles each way, or ~ 30 miles total. Per my calculations this is about 5.3 hours of hiking each way and about 1100 feet elevation gain. We could push 2.5 miles further to a beautiful camp spot on the Mild Fork of Lime Creek, which would be on a single track path...let's see how we feel. That said, I like to open this adventure to beginners. If that is you, you could come as much as you want and then return to Castle Rocks and camp the night; however, I plan to finish the whole trek. Maybe you can buddy up with someone if you want a short trek.

- This part of trek follows several dirt roads
- Water sources: Moore's spring
- Scenery: high desert, short pines, streams, springs, gulches, and interesting rock formations.
-Highest point: 5657 feet
- Camp at the Hunter's transfer camp
- Here is a link to a print out of the route:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1S44pnqqLvVBbky1KQyCAvkiG8UqpUQij/view?usp=sharing
Red is the ICT trail, and purple is our section on the ICT.

-Rating: Intermediate to advanced (if you do the whole thing). Fairly flat but some people may find the total mileage difficult. Just for comparison, it is not uncommon to hike 15-20 miles per a day on the Pacific Crest Trail (that's what I did last year in Washington x 4 days). Possibility of rain, snow, and colder temps - some backpackers may feel uncomfortable. Expect me doing some route finding with phone, map and compass.
- See pictures to get a sense of this trek

If we go south (tails):
- We will drive from Skull rock to the start of this section, skipping the highway.
We will travel approximately 8 miles each way and 1,200 feet. Travel time should be around 3.5 hrs each way.
This part of the trek follows:
The Bennet Mountain Road (FR 94) climbs gradually to the mountain pass at 6,133 feet.
Scenery: Mix or public and private lands, canyons, creeks, "biologically diverse landscape." Not the season, but we pass the Elma Goodman Bluebird trail - one of the best places to see the mountain blue bird.
You may see a big horn sheep and a few cows.

Camping: we will camp at pull out along the road.
Route: here is a pdf of the route
https://drive.google.com/file/d/12gIbD8km7zuNNYF99Qj-ocrQ-UHH8Lpu/view?usp=sharing

Rating: beginner to intermediate

Learn more about the Bennett Mountains (Hills):
https://peakvisor.com/range/mount-bennett-hills.html

FULL ROUTE north and south for both SEE HERE:
Caltopo:https://caltopo.com/m/1U7ESGK/RV6TQQU76KPRKUN0
Google Earth (zoom in, helps see terrain, follow purple and green)
https://earth.google.com/earth/d/1Gbj7_3yVx1AMN8TWRtSf1PnayhIGmUIh?usp=sharing

What to bring:
This will depend a lot on the weather. Since we can go either direction, you need to come prepared. I will send out a more detailed list a week or two before the event. Somethings you need

• Bear spray
• Bear canister/ursac/bear hang
• Orange colored hat, beanie, or shirt (go ISU!)
• Sleeping bag rated to 20 degrees. If you don’t have a sleeping bag with that rating you can user a liner or a space blanket: here are a few light weight liner options:
• https://www.advnture.com/buying-guides/best-sleeping-bag-liners
• Not exactly a sleeping bag liner but instead a vapor barrier, I have the Western Mountaineering Hot Sack. It adds about 10 degrees of warmth, is very packable, and weights virtually nothing. A con is that it is for cold weather (below freezing) and gives you a clammy feeling.
• https://www.westernmountaineering.com/product/hotsac-vbl/
• Poncho instead of a rain jacket (rain jacket + rain pants okay but you would need something over your backpack). Just incase it rains or snows I want you to have full protection. Here is one Option
• Water filter

Where to meet:
Everyone must meet at the Park and Ride unless you make prior arranges with me. It is best if you carpool with us as I couldn't tell you where exactly we will end up parking, but if you would like to drive yourself then you can.

Policies:
* Please do not bring any alcohol or drugs to the campsite**
* You will be on private lands at some point; the state of Idaho has an agreement with land owners to allow hikers to pass on the ICT. Be respectful.
* Leave no trace*
* If you are unable to complete, you may drop out at any time. However, you are responsible for your own transportation
* We have a shelter in place policy; that is, if you are unable to complete the trek you will be asked to camp at the point of failure for the night. If the trek is an out an back we will come and get you the next day. We have short wave radios and will give one to you for communication with the group. Of course, if you are injured or the weather is deemed dangerous will not leave you. From time to time, participants are unable to complete our treks. We find this to be the best compromise.

I am not a guide but a facilitator. Please come prepared to contribute to the objective. I put a significant amount of time planning to ensure the safety and enjoyment of all participants. By signing up, you agree to be responsible for your own safety. Please inform the organizer as soon as possible with any cancellations but no later than 6 pm the night before the meet up. Last minute sign ups welcomed. No shows/no communication is unfair to others who are on the waitlist and makes planning difficult for the organizer. If you no show more than twice, you may be banned from future events. If you are sick, please stay home and hike with us another time. I reserve the right to take photos and videos of group members in order to promote the the group.

By signing up for the event , you the participant and any guests understand that during my participation in this Outing, you may be exposed to risks and hazards, foreseen or unforeseen, which are inherent and cannot be eliminated without diminishing the Outing.
These inherent risks include, but are not limited to, the dangers of serious personal injury, property damage, and death (“Injuries and Damages”) from exposure to the hazards of travel, location, and weather.
You agree that the Organizer (s) has not tried to contradict or minimize my understanding of these risks. You know that Injuries and Damages can occur by natural causes or activities of other persons, animals, trip members, trip leaders or third parties, either as a result of negligence or because of other reasons. You understand that risks of such Injuries are involved in adventure travel such as this Outing and You accept that you must exercise extra care for my own person and for others around me in the face of such hazards.
You understand that on this Outing there may not be rescue or medical facilities or expertise necessary to deal with the Injuries to which you may be exposed.
To the fullest extent allowed by law, you agree to WAIVE, DISCHARGE CLAIMS, AND RELEASE FROM LIABILITY the Organizer from any and all liability on account of, or in any way resulting from Injuries and Damages, even if caused by the negligence of the Organizer or other participants in any way connected with this Outing. You further agree to HOLD HARMLESS the Organizer (s) from any claims, losses, Injuries and Damages caused by your own negligence while a participant on the Outing.
You understand and intend that this assumption of risk and release is binding upon my heirs, executors, administrators and assigns. You have read the Outing description and this Release of Liability in its entirety and you freely and voluntarily assume all risks of such Injuries and notwithstanding such risks, you agree to participate in the Outing. You have read, you understand, and you agree to this Release of Liability.