BOISE, Idaho — Ridge to Rivers is closing additional trails in the Boise Foothills due to wet and muddy conditions. The closures announced Thursday are put in place to help prevent long-term damage to the trails and their ecosystems.
"It's important that we close these trails to protect the trail tread when it's most susceptible to damage," Ridge to Rivers Trail Manager David Gordon said. "We continue to observe high use of these trails despite muddy conditions, which is unfortunate. This is leading to trail deterioration, rutting and widening in popular areas so we are taking immediate action to prevent further damage that is difficult if not impossible to undo."
Unlike soil in other parts of the country, the heavy clay content in our soil mean that footprints and tire prints could become permanent parts of the trail as the ground freezes and thaws.
Starting Friday, Jan. 26, the following trails will be closed:
- Heroes Trail from the entrance at the Boise VA to the connection with Elephant Rock Loop Trail.
- Seamans Gulch Trail from the water tank at the trailhead to the Wild Phlox Trail junction.
- Who Now Loop Trail from the Harrison Hollow/Harrison Ridge/Connector Trail junction west to the junction with Buena Vista Trail and Kemper's Ridge Trail, and south to the Down and Out Trail junction.
- Bucktail and Two Point Trails (separate pedestrian and cycling routes) – Central Ridge Trail will continue to provide access from Military Reserve to Shane's Trail and Rocky Canyon Road.
Trail managers are reminding people to stay out of fenced-off areas to protect the closed trails and their integrity. The trails will stay closed until conditions improve in the spring.
All seasonal trail closures can be seen on the Ridge to Rivers interactive map.
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