One of the jewels of America’s natural heritage, the Pioneers-Craters landscape ranges from sagebrush steppe, grasslands and lava flows to river, foothill and mountain ecosystems, supporting an array of wide-ranging and migratory wildlife.
On Monday, members of the Pioneers Alliance, including Mike Stevens of PMG and colleagues from The Nature Conservancy, Idaho Conservation League and the Bureau of Land Management, toured portions of the Friedman Creek Wilderness Study Area. This is a spectacular and remote area in the heart of the Pioneer Mountains. The area provides superb big game habitat and we were impressed by the extensive beaver activity along Friedman Creek. We hiked for several hours along an overgrown trail along Friedman Creek – the shade and water along the creek were a welcome relief from temperatures in the 90s – and came away amazed at the scale, ruggedness and beauty of the place.
Hiking in the Friedman Creek Wilderness Study Area
There are two great opportunities coming up to explore the Pioneer Mountains through photography and outdoor adventure!
This Wednesday, June 6th at 6pm, join us at the Ketchum Community library to view breathtaking images of the Pioneers through the lens of Kirk Anderson. Mike Stevens, of the Pioneers Alliance, will also be presenting on our work.
Don’t miss the 2nd Southern Pioneers Bike Tour on Saturday, June 16th at 9am. The tour begins at the Carey Pavilion for a 40-mile loop ride in the scenic landscape. There is an out-and-back option as well. Contact Brett Stevenson at Idaho Conservation League for more details and reservations.
Join the ride this Saturday June 11 through the southern Pioneer Mountains on all dirt road. The ride starts at 9am in Carey at the fairgrounds with two different ride options (see map below): a 38 mile loop climbing up Road Canyon and descending the South Fork of Muldoon Creek or a 5-15 mile out and back exploring Little Wood River Valley. Both rides will get you out there exploring new territory.
