Squaw Creek

Squaw Creek is less than an hour's drive from Boise near Marsing.

Here it is coming up in the distance.

Erika and Cassie at the beginning of the canyon.

 

Looking down canyon at the start.

That is Megan at the bottom and Garrett off to the left in green. 

There was a lot of rock hopping, which the kids loved. 

Deanne stopped to play in this pool of water.

Further up canyon 

This was the only obstacle we encountered. 

We all climbed up the crevice to the left of the large rock. 

Except for Garrett who took a running leap up to the right.

Cassie and Erika contemplating the climb.

Now how did this boat get out here?

Contemplating how much further to go on... 

It didn't look too appealing up ahead, 

so the kids decided to wait here while Shane and I checked it out.

..and again minus the kids.

Heading back down. 

Bypassing the obstacle on the way down with a rope to help the little ones. 

Cassie and Deanne.  

This was about as deep as the water got. 

Just about to exit the canyon and head back home.

Little Hart Creek

Hart Creek and Little Hart Creek are near Oreana, 

about a 1-1/2 hour drive  from Boise.  

An old church at Oreana.

We decided to go up Little Hart creek and down Hart Creek.

This is the beginning of the trail.

Coming up on Little Hart Creek canyon. 

The climb down into the canyon was a little steep  

Waiting for everyone to make the downclimb. 

Deanne would rather pose in front of the cave than climb inside of it.

Erika squeezing into another cave.  

 There was no water, which was very disappointing to the kids.  

And it was pretty open.  Nothing too exciting.

It soon ended and we climbed out onto the ridge.

We decided to try and hike cross country to Hart Creek
not really knowing where we were going.

We saw a canyon opening that looked promising, but it was so full of tumble weeds, 

we backed out and decided to find another way.

Here we are up top again looking for Hart creek canyon

Heading down into what we hope will be Hart creek canyon...

Following the dry creek bed

Looks like we found the right spot!

Climbing down into the canyon

Looking back on what we just climbed into 

Shane and Cassie 

We immediately came upon a pretty steep obstacle. 

Checking out our options...

We decided against it and headed back out 

to walk along the top of the canyon

Megan, Justin and I climbed down and 

went to check out Hart Creek canyon from the bottom.

We climbed up and over and through several obstacles.

This was one of the caves we climbed through to work out way up canyon

It opened up and we walked a little further 

before heading back to the car where everyone was waiting.

We'll hafta come back and explore the 

rest of the canyon on another day....

Birch Creek Sand Castles

This place was about an hour and a half south of Boise. 

We parked where Birch Creek crosses Poison Creek Cutoff Road 

and walked up the wide sandy creek bed about one mile 

This is to the right of the creek bed.

cool rock formations

 Justin and Deanne

Deanne

Cassie's throne

Cassie, Erika and Deanne

Megan spotted a little creature in a crevice 

and is trying to get a picture of it.

Catching up to garrett & justin, 

it was a great time for a family photo

The kids found a small tunnel to crawl through.  

That is Garrett inside the tunnel.

And Deanne in the tunnel as well

We then headed to the other side of the creek to explore.  

In between those 2 big rocks was a small slot canyon.

All of us at the mouth of the canyon

Deanne posing near the opening

Shane inside the canyon

Justin, Erika & Deanne near the upper end

Erika after having climbed out on top of the canyon

heading back

Walking back barefoot on the sandy creek bed