This hike information is provided by Mike Merz, facilitator of the Osher Institute Special Interest Group (SIG), “Hiking in the Foothills.”
Before hiking, please remember to check trail conditions on the Ridge to Rivers website.
Hike in the Oregon Trail Historic Preserve
Trailhead:
At the Oregon Trail Historic Preserve that you can drive to via any of 3 routes:
- I-84: Drive East on I84 from Boise, take Exit 57 for Highway 21 and Gowen Rd; turn Left onto Hwy 21 and go 2.3 miles, then turn left on E Lake Forest Dr. into the “Kelton Crossing” subdivision. Then go 0.2 miles to parking area for the Oregon Trail Historic Preserve on the right. If you cross bridge over Boise River, you’ve gone 0.5 miles too far on Hwy 21. See note below.
- Federal Way: Drive East on Federal way from Boise, turn Left on Highway 21, go 2.3 miles and turn Left on E Lake Forest Dr into the “Kelton Crossing” subdivision. Then go 0.2 miles to parking area for the Oregon Trail Historic Preserve on the right. If you cross bridge over Boise River, you’ve gone 0.5 miles too far on Hwy 21. See note below.
- E Warm Springs Ave: Drive East from Boise on E Warm Springs Ave to its intersection with Hwy 21, turn right onto Hwy 21, go over Boise River for 1.0 miles, turn Right on E Lake Forest Dr into the “Kelton Crossing” subdivision. Then go 0.2 miles to the parking area for the Oregon Trail Historic Preserve on the right. See note below.
- Note: Do NOT follow the sign on Highway 21 directing to the Oregon Trail on the east side of the Highway; our trail starts on the west side of the Highway.
Parking:
The designated parking area has a limited number of spaces, but there are lots of parking spaces across the street on E Forest Lake Dr.
Hike:
Do a loop hike starting on the Oregon Trail, #103 on the R2R map, then drop down to Trail #102 that will lead to the iconic Kelton Ramp. Then, climb back up to the Trailhead; about 2.9 miles. Most of these trails are flat and smooth, but there are a couple of short steep spots where a hiking staff helps.
Bathroom:
Nice bathrooms at the trailhead.
Dogs:
Most trails are “dogs on leash.”