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A great loop away from the crowds.


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Map Key

5.7

Miles

9.2

KM

81%

Runnable

4,288' 1,307 m

High

2,996' 913 m

Low

1,295' 395 m

Up

1,318' 402 m

Down

9%

Avg Grade (5°)

29%

Max Grade (16°)

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Views · Wildflowers

Turn back if trail is muddy - this one tends to thaw out early in the day during the winter because of the direct sun exposure.

Overview

This very exposed 2-hour (or so) loop has a nice mixture of climbing and descending, with expansive views in all directions.

Need to Know

Dogs must be on leash, because it's in the wildlife management area. Bring plenty of water and sun protection.

Runner Notes

Doing the loop counterclockwise as I've described it makes for a longer, more gradual climb and a shorter, steeper downhill back. There's always the option of doing it in reverse to spare your knees on the way down.

Description

You'll find the the trailhead at the end of Highland Valley Road (off Warm Springs). There is a small parking area across from a residence with a red double-decker bus parked in the driveway.

From the trailhead, you'll come to the junction with Cobb Trail; stay to the right on the West Highland Valley Trail. After about 1.75 miles, you'll reach the next junction for the East Highland Valley Rd; take the left to leave the dirt road for the singletrack trail. You'll keep winding gradually but relentlessly up.

Around 2.5 miles, the East Highland Valley Rd tees at Shaw Mountain or Ridge Rd, a dirt road; take a left on it. The next intersection you'll reach is the junction with the Lucky Peak Trail #6; stay to the left.

At about 3 miles, you'll hit the high point of the loop. It's (almost) all downhill from here!

In another half a mile, you'll come to another junction - the other end of the Cobb Trail; take the left and find yourself back on singletrack. You'll have gorgeous views of the Owyhee Range to the west across the Treasure Valley.

Continue on the Cobb trail until you find yourself back at the first junction of the Cobb Trail and East Highland Valley Rd. Just before the junction there's a hairpin turn to the left and about 20 yards of steep uphill. Take a right at the junction, and you'll be back to your car in a few minutes.

Flora & Fauna

Raptors year-round, meadowlarks and lupine April to May. I've heard coyotes on occasion.

Contacts

Land Manager: Ridge to Rivers

Shared By:

Peggy Jordan

Trail Ratings

  3.8 from 8 votes

#3657

Overall
  3.8 from 8 votes
5 Star
25%
4 Star
50%
3 Star
13%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
13%
Recommended Route Rankings

#50

in Idaho

#3,657

Overall
7 Views Last Month
7,227 Since Jan 4, 2016
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult

0%
0%
63%
13%
25%
0%

Photos

Looking down at Boise and the Owyhee Mountains after making the turn on the Highland Valley-Cobb Loop.
Apr 2, 2016 near Boise, ID
Halfway down Cobb Trail, with the Owyhees across the valley in the distance.
Feb 22, 2016 near Boise, ID
Looking back to the high point of the loop, on the way down Cobb Trail.
Feb 22, 2016 near Boise, ID
On the last leg, after turning off Cobb Trail and back to the Highland Valley Trail, with just a few minutes between here and the trailhead.
Feb 22, 2016 near Boise, ID
Highland Valley singletrack.
Mar 21, 2016 near Boise, ID

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