| Name: | Stargaze Trail |
| Type: | Out and Back |
| Trail-head: | Beaver Creek Summit |
| Map: | My Tracks |
| Length: | 3.3 miles |
| Time: | 2 hours |
| Nearest Major City: | Idaho City |
| Best time of year: | November-February |
| Elevation Gain: | 617 ft |
| Highest Point: | 6682 ft |
Idaho City contains the best back-country snowshoeing trails near Boise. (Eat your heart out Bogus Basin). If epic views are your goal, look no further than Stargaze Trail. Starting from Beaver Creek Summit, this popular trail takes you past a cozy winter Yurt and up to Stargaze Point. It’s not the easiest climb, but those who stick it out will be rewarded with majestic views of snow-capped mountain ranges as far as the eye can see.
Stargaze Trailhead
The road to the trailhead will wind up and down ID-21 passing several summits. Look for the Beaver Creek Park and Ski sign. You’ll get to the “parking lot” (which is just a patch of gravel) on top of Beaver Creek Summit. There aren’t any designated stalls here so back in if you can. The lot is plowed so you typically won’t have issues here but the packed snow shoved aside by the plows will hide the trailhead behind a wall of ice. Scale the wall like a Wildling from Game of Thrones and look for the shingled roof of the trail map and information sign. Continue past the sign following in the direction of the road until you see the sign below. Your walk begins here.
The Trail
Time to punch that clock and get to work. The trail is all elevation so it will be slow trudging until you get to the summit. The view is worth the effort. Go slow and stop when needed. I kicked off the snowshoe season with this trail, and I had to take a knee every fifty yards to catch my breath. There is nothing more humbling to a hiker than snowshoeing.
Stargaze Trail is a was a well-worn trail so there should be a path carved by previous trekkers. If there are fresh powder drifts and no sign of an obvious route, look for the blue blazes. I’d dare to say this is the most well-marked trail I’ve encountered in Idaho. You could complete Stargaze Trail in the dark with nothing but a flashlight if you were so inclined. They do call it Stargaze trail for a reason.
Stargaze Yurt
About halfway through your hike, you’ll see the yellow roof of Stargaze Yurt poking its head above the ridgeline. That is your heading. You can book a stay in the Yurt online. The Yurt comes equipped with two bunk beds, a propane stove, solar lights, and kitchen cutlery. You’ll want to book your reservation early since this place books out almost every weekend.
You’ll want to persuade a few friends to go in on it with you because you’ll have to haul a sled up this steep trail with your food, propane, water, and gear. Click here for a Winter Yurt Manual and a packing list. So unless your one of these strong men who can pull a fully loaded F350 with your teeth, it’s nice to share the pack load among 2 or 3 other friends.
Stargaze Point
When you get to the gate by the Yurt the trail forks. Going left will take you to Stargaze Yurt. If you haven’t booked the Yurt for the night, be respectful of people’s privacy and don’t go up there.
Take the trail to the right to continue to Stargaze Point. It’s very heartbreaking to realize you still aren’t finished going uphill. I contemplated turning around several times at this stage. Ignore the burning in your quads and keep going, you’re so close.
While you curse the mountain gods for making snow so hard to walk in, you’ll eventually find the gap in the treeline and make a push to the summit.
Like finding an oasis in the middle of the Sahara, you’ll be ecstatic to see that square, brown “End of Trail” Sign. Summiting at 6,682 feet in Elevation, you are rewarded with snowy panoramic views in every direction. The scene is worth every hard-fought step. With the confidence of a person who just summited Everest, head back down the way you came. I promise going down is more leisurely.
My Experience
I won’t lie; I struggled on this trail. Granted it was my first snowshoe trip of the season, I really don’t have an excuse for moving so painfully slow. “The Mountain doesn’t care if you’re tired,” a mantra I tell myself when training for hiking season, played on repeat in my head. As hard as it was to complete, I loved every second of it. The weather cooperated beautifully. Clear blue skies allowed me to see miles in every direction. When I finally saw that summit sign, I had the biggest smile on my snow-burnt face. I would recommend this trail to everyone, but unless you like a challenge, maybe save this for your peak season and not the season opener.
For an easier snowshoe experience try the Lamar Valley Snowshoe Trail.
Trail Tips
- You will need to purchase a Park and Ski Pass to park at the trailhead
- Layering clothing is key for staying warm
- Remember to apply sunscreen to your face
- Avoid the yurt if you don’t have a reservation
- Bring calorie-dense snacks
- Make sure you stay hydrated
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.