Type: Out and Back
Trailhead: Stack Rock Trailhead
Map: Idaho Climbing Guide
Length: 9 miles
Time: 3 hours
Nearest Major City: Boise, ID
Best time of year: April-November
Elevation Gain: 1414 ft
Highest Point: 5,895 ft
Let’s face it, adulting is hard. You have to get up every day, put on fancy clothes you hate and go to a job that is filled with nothing but stress and monotony. You plan a fun hike for the weekend giving you the carrot on a stick you need to get you to Friday. But when Saturday morning rolls around and the sun peeks its head through your window, you cling to those covers like a sailor on a sinking ship. You worked all week and all you want is a few extra minutes of sleep. The last thing you want to do is drive 2 hours to the trailhead for the hike you had planned. You wrestle with the decision of getting out of bed but deep down you know your soul needs some fresh air. So what do you do?
Enter Stack Rock. Only a few minutes away, near Bogus Basin, Stack Rock trail is close to the city yet offers all you seek in the great outdoors.
Navigation
Finding the trailhead is painless. Take the windy road up Bogus Basin and take note of the mile markers as you ascend. Right after mile marker 13, you notice a small gravel parking lot and some street parking. Park here and look for a wooden trail map sign.
After recent renovations in the summers of 2016 and 2017, the trail is now well marked and easy to navigate. The trail enters through some private logging property with various zigzagging roads but just follow the signs and you’ll be fine.
After 2 miles you’ll come to a T, take a left and ignore that the sign says Eastside trail and points in the opposite direction. About a half mile further you will see the sign for Freddy’s Stack Rock Trail. Take the trail to the next fork and proceed left to take the shortest route to the top.
Stack Rock
Throughout the hike, you’ll have several views of Stack Rock. Just poking out the trees it looks like a shark’s fin swimming in an ocean of green. While it may appear high on the mountaintop the trail is relatively flat in most parts but has a few steep sections.
On your approach to the top, you’ll begin to see a great view of the rolling foothills that Boise residents love so much. Upon reaching Stack Rock wander around the base and take in all the views.
I don’t recommend actually climbing Stack Rock unless you have experience in rock climbing. You can get the same views by staying at the bottom and you won’t have to worry about falling to your death.
Overall
While Stack Rock isn’t the most exciting hike, it offers a favorable combination of being close to town yet far enough into the woods that it feels like you’re really in the wilderness. So for those days when nature calls but your bed is putting up a decent fight, maybe get the best of both and take a quick trip to Stack Rock.
Trail Tips
- Being so convenient means the trail can get pretty crowded.
- Most of the trail is shaded.
- Bring lots of water.
Chad can be summed up by his idea of a perfect day: Waking up early to watch the sunrise over the mountains, warm cup of coffee in hand then grabbing his camera and fly rod, hitting the trail to explore some uncharted territory followed by cold beers and campfire steaks. Chad is often joined on his adventures by his wife, Tori, and their dog, Kona.