Idaho Centennial Trail: Bennett Mt Hills or Soldier Mountains - it's a Coin Toss

The Idaho Centennial Trail (ICT) is a 996 mile trail that transverses from Idaho's southern desert to it's Canadian border. Suggested reading: Idaho Centennial Trail by Lisa and Jeremy Johnson (pages 65-69 for our event).
There are many ICT sections I would like to hike with the group but this seems a good one for earlier November and not too far from Boise. This should be a great fall adventure!

So since it's out and back, should we go north or south on a section? What if instead, we let a single coin toss decide!

This adventure starts at Skull Rock (seen in the cover photo), a unique rock feature just off Highway 20 about an 1 hr 20 from Boise. This is located at Castle Rock, a group of interesting rock formations. From here, the coin toss will decide if we go north or south on the ICT.

Hey before I tell you more, please be advised:

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.