I've been in the central Idaho backcountry
Since Friday, I’ve been mostly in the central Idaho backcountry. So there have been just a few posts.
It’s incredible how much of central Idaho has burned since 2000 when I finished my last edition of Hiking Idaho.
On the other hand, at the present autumn colors are just tremendous.

Ralph Maughan
Dr. Ralph Maughan is professor emeritus of political science at Idaho State University with specialties in natural resource politics, public opinion, interest groups, political parties, voting and elections. Aside from academic publications, he is author or co-author of three hiking/backpacking guides, and he is past President of the Western Watersheds Project.
6 Responses to I've been in the central Idaho backcountry
Subscribe to Blog via Email
Recent Posts
- Ambler Road A Threat to Alaska’s Wildlands January 24, 2021
- Reader generated wildlife news. January 24, 2021
- Protect the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem Wildlands January 18, 2021
- An open letter to the Oregon Bureau of Land Management on Hammond Ranches, Inc. proposed permit January 5, 2021
- Ochoco Forest Deceptions For Logging January 3, 2021
Recent Comments
- Hiker on Reader generated wildlife news.
- Beeline on Reader generated wildlife news.
- Ida Lupine on Reader generated wildlife news.
- Stephany Seay on Reader generated wildlife news.
- Ida Lupine on Reader generated wildlife news.
- Ida Lupine on Reader generated wildlife news.
- Maggie Frazier on Ambler Road A Threat to Alaska’s Wildlands
- Ida Lupine on Ambler Road A Threat to Alaska’s Wildlands
- Ida Lupine on Reader generated wildlife news.
- Hiker on Reader generated wildlife news.
- Ida Lupine on Reader generated wildlife news.
- James A Bailey on Reader generated wildlife news.
- Ida Lupine on Reader generated wildlife news.
- WM on Reader generated wildlife news.
- Hiker on Protect the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem Wildlands
Post more pictures please.
Great shot Ralph, nice soft colors and perfect composition.
Some mighty fine country you’ve got there.
Is beetle kill a huge issue there? The rust here is being mistaken for changing leaves.
The colors are great in this shot Ralph. You must have felt very at peace when looking atthem.
Ryan,
I added two more photos.
vicki,
The conifers are red because they were killed the previous year by a ground fire. If you look closely, the entire Warm Springs Creek drainage, with the exception of a few areas, is burned out. The fire was in 2007.
I hiked down a way into the drainage. Some of the trees are red, others are completely black and largely consumed. As is typical, some individual trees and patches escaped the fire. The same is true in adjacent canyons.