January 8, 2026 If you have spent any time in the foothills, you have probably seen at some point a long line of mountain bikers on the trails. The first high school mountain bike teams began riding in Idaho in 2015, as the sport has exploded over the past 30-40 years. Each year, high school…
It’s a beautiful summer day, and you’ve planned a family hike. The picnic lunch is packed, everyone is covered in sunscreen, water bottles are filled, and hats and sunglasses are ready. Your destination is mapped out: a walk from your house in East Boise, hopping onto the #19A Hot Springs Trail at Coston Street, then…
I moved to Boise from the town of Marysville, Washington, in 1991 to pursue my dreams at Boise State University. My roots run deep here; my extended family has called Boise home since the Great Depression, toiling the land just above Lucky Peak when they first arrived. Yet, despite my family’s long history in this beautiful city, I never explored the foothills during my childhood visits. Little did I know how much they would eventually shape my life.
When I settled in Boise for college, I took a job at the YMCA, which introduced me to a community of outdoor enthusiasts. A friend encouraged me to take on the Race to Robie Creek, known as the toughest half-marathon in the Northwest. Eager for a challenge, I was excited to test my limits on this grueling course that begins with a relentless climb of 2,072 feet to Adalpe Summit.
To prepare, I began training on the foothills’ trails, discovering a whole new world. The expansive, soft-sand paths were a welcome change from the pavement I had run on in high school, which had left me with frustrating tibial fractures. I relished each outdoor run, surrounded by the golden-hued grasses and vibrant balsamroot. Lower Hulls Gulch quickly became my favorite route—the combination of a running stream and shaded trails provided a refreshing escape on hot summer days.
Nature had a few surprises for me, too. While I admired the Bachelor’s Button, with its striking purple-blue flowers, I later learned it was an invasive weed. Yet, in this wild and beautiful landscape, every experience added another layer to my journey, testing me physically while fueling my love for the Boise Foothills. This stunning area not only transformed my athletic pursuits but also solidified my connection to the community and the land my family has cherished for generations.
A few years later, I joined a mountain biking group organized by a cycling club that met at the current McU Sports on the corner of Bogus Basin Rd and Hill Rd. I quickly made new friends, including experienced mountain and road bikers Ian Land, Scott Corkery, Geoff Baker, Matt Monet, and Charlene Stroup Land. This experience brought back memories of my youth, riding my brother’s Haro and my friend’s Diamond Back dirt bikes through a ravine filled with jumps and hills in Pleasant Hill, California. I had always loved biking, and this newfound sport of mountain biking felt just as exhilarating.
One of my first rides was climbing the backside of Table Rock on the Table Rock Loop. As I conquered the steep incline and joined the Rock Quarry Trail, I felt a profound sense of accomplishment. Riding alongside my new friends, with everyone encouraging one another, fostered a wonderful spirit of teamwork. I quickly fell in love with mountain biking and decided to invest in my first Bontrager mountain bike for around $900 in 1994—a significant amount for a cash-strapped college student at the time.
Through my passion for running and mountain biking, I discovered a deep love for the Boise Foothills and all the incredible trails they offer. In 2001, I became involved in the first Foothills levy campaign, advocating for the purchase of land to protect these vital spaces and the wildlife that call them home. Thanks to the efforts of dedicated individuals, significant areas such as Hulls Gulch, the Military Reserve, and the beautiful landscapes along the Boise River have been preserved for future generations.
As a physical education and health teacher, I had the opportunity to introduce my students to the Foothills by taking them on field trips to interview trail users. This hands-on experience allowed them to connect with others who shared a passion for the Foothills, creating a sense of community around these cherished natural spaces. I wanted my students to not just hear about the beauty of the Foothills but to experience it firsthand and appreciate all it has to offer.
Today, we can enjoy the numerous trails and open spaces that have been made accessible thanks to the hard work and dedication of many individuals, including the late Karen Knudtsen. A dear friend and colleague, Karen was a former teacher at West Junior High and an outdoor enthusiast whose passion for preservation greatly impacted the Foothills we cherish today.
My love for the foothills has continued to flourish into my 50s. I’ve transitioned from running to hiking and from tackling technical mountain biking trails to enjoying gentler routes. The foothills have always offered me a vital connection to nature and a variety of opportunities for exercise. It’s the kind of place where you can greet a stranger during your morning walk or learn the name of a friendly dog while strolling with its owner on a crisp morning. The foothills provide the mental escape we all need in an increasingly stressful world dominated by technology and a disconnection from nature.
This blog is dedicated to sharing my passion for the Boise Foothills and the connections we inevitably forge when we spend time in nature. We are incredibly fortunate to have such accessible and breathtaking trails at our doorstep. My aim is to spotlight the stories, connections, histories, and the stewardship required to preserve this magnificent treasure for future generations. Through these writings, I hope to inspire ongoing exploration and encourage those in the Treasure Valley who may not yet be taking full advantage of this wonderful outdoor resource. The Boise Foothills offer something for everyone, from young children to seasoned adventurers, and this blog is designed to motivate and uplift us all to embrace the beauty and adventure waiting just beyond our front doors.
I’ll see you on the trails!
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