Andrew Crighton
Life Editor
Pocatello is nestled in the foothills of one of several mountain ranges, depending on how technical you want to be with your geography. Regardless of technicalities, the mountains in the surrounding area are different than the ragged peaks found in central and northern Idaho.
The comparatively rolling landscape and mountain desert is akin to northwest of the Owyhees without the canyons in the southwest of the state.
From Red Hill to Scout Mountain, there are trails that play to any level of fitness but all the same offer spectacular views and clean crisp air.
As I am writing this it should be easy to tell that I find a great deal of enjoyment from hiking, camping, fishing and the like, although I could not be classified as an avid outdoorsman.
Regardless of if you share these interests with me or if you believe that the mountains are simply a nice backdrop to your life within the city, I do believe that you must acknowledge they provide an astounding resource.
I began hiking these hills during my second semester at ISU, in the spring of 2015. Since then I’ve hiked alone, and with friends and family at many different locations, which has spurred me to enroll in the day hiking class offered by the Outdoor Activity Center.
One of the things I find most enjoyable about the Portneuf Range is the amount of variety in scenery available, even along one trail.
The hike from Blackrock Canyon to Chinese Peak, formerly known as Chink’s Peak, winds between rocky canyon and mountain desert, while meandering through aspen groves that set the sides of the hills on fire with yellows and reds during the fall.
While hiking Scout Mountain I found myself in pine and aspens from the trailhead, with the concentration of pines increasing the farther up the trail I went, until I reached the top of a saddle. I stood in awe with a grassy field directly in front of me, farmers’ fields in the distant valley and blue-grey mountains for as far as the eye could see beyond. Not to mention the ridges and peaks on each side.
I could go on for pages describing specific hikes, but that, probably, would not be pertinent.
Pocatello is a special place, because like innumerable other cities in Idaho, we are surrounded by and close to a large number of outdoor areas and the mountains.
However, by also being a college town we have some unique opportunities afforded to us.
The OAC offers many classes that are both recreational and educational, organizes trips and has staffs that have a great deal of knowledge. Most notably though, is their rental service that provides everything from kayaks to ice axes, to tents for a very reasonable price.
This would be a good time to say that this article was never intended to be, nor is it, a plug for the OAC.
I simply believe that it is a great service for students who want to go experience and enjoy the outdoors, but do not have the funds to buy everything that they need or know where they should go for their skill level.
If you have the time and are so inclined, then hike a new trail this spring. Or if you’d rather play ultimate frisbee in the quad, don’t take the backdrop for granted.
