Resources
- Complete Idaho GIS Map
- Website for Payette Nat'l Forest trail conditions - Interactive map that shows you distance and when trails were last maintained.
Gear
- I use a small Gossamer Gear backpack or an Ultimate Direction fastpack when I do routes like this. I can fit a sleeping quilt, emergency bivy, cuben fiber tarp, puffy and/or rain jacket, and enough food for up to 3 days. If you need more gear to feel safe and comfortable or if you're planning on being out for longer, I would recommend at least a 30L pack or bigger.
- The Katadyn BeFree water filter bottle is great. On routes that have lots of water, I will bring only the 0.6L BeFree bottle and a 20 ounce bottle. On drier routes or later in the summer, I would recommend carrying at least another one liter bottle in addition to the BeFree, depending on how fast you plan on moving or how much water is available on the route. CNOC Outdoors makes a great 2L bladder called the Vecto that is easy to fill and will fit a Sawyer filter.
- Carry a paper map with you. Electronic devices are not always reliable. They can get damaged, the GPS on your phone might not locate you, or the battery might die. Even if you are mostly relying on a device, be sure to follow along on the paper map so you know where you are if you do have to utilize it.
- Idaho wilderness areas are huge and isolated. The human population is ~1.8 million, yet the state contains 4.8 million acres of wilderness and 9 million acres of roadless areas! This means that if you get into trouble in the backcountry, the odds of someone coming along to help are slim to none. I recommend carrying a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) like a Spot, ACR, or Garmin.
- If you are doing one of these routes, plan for the worst. Expect it to take longer than you think. Expect to get lost. Expect to travel in the dark. Take whatever gear you need to not die.
Mapping
Gaia - Gaia used to be a one time fee, but unfortunately they've gone to yearly subscriptions now. Easy to use and build routes. Trails are not always accurate in wilderness areas. Areas can be downloaded ahead of time for offline use.
CalTopo - Best used on a desktop and not as intuitive for route building as Gaia, CalTopo files can be exported to other programs like Gaia for mobile use or Avenza for mobile use or printing.
- How to make maps in CalTopo
Avenza - Only good for mobile use with a yearly subscription. Great for making paper maps. You can design a route in CalTopo, transfer it to Avenza, and print a map with whatever dimensions you'd like and with your route highlighted on it.
GreenTrails - If you're going into the Wallowas, GreenTrails makes a great map for that area. I have emailed them twice asking if they had plans to expand into Idaho but have yet to receive a response.
National Forest Store - You can purchase Nat'l Forest maps here, or in person at any ranger station, visitor center, or in Boise at 1249 South Vinnell Way #200. 208-373-4100. They have maps that might not be available online.
- Complete Idaho GIS Map
- Website for Payette Nat'l Forest trail conditions - Interactive map that shows you distance and when trails were last maintained.
Gear
- I use a small Gossamer Gear backpack or an Ultimate Direction fastpack when I do routes like this. I can fit a sleeping quilt, emergency bivy, cuben fiber tarp, puffy and/or rain jacket, and enough food for up to 3 days. If you need more gear to feel safe and comfortable or if you're planning on being out for longer, I would recommend at least a 30L pack or bigger.
- The Katadyn BeFree water filter bottle is great. On routes that have lots of water, I will bring only the 0.6L BeFree bottle and a 20 ounce bottle. On drier routes or later in the summer, I would recommend carrying at least another one liter bottle in addition to the BeFree, depending on how fast you plan on moving or how much water is available on the route. CNOC Outdoors makes a great 2L bladder called the Vecto that is easy to fill and will fit a Sawyer filter.
- Carry a paper map with you. Electronic devices are not always reliable. They can get damaged, the GPS on your phone might not locate you, or the battery might die. Even if you are mostly relying on a device, be sure to follow along on the paper map so you know where you are if you do have to utilize it.
- Idaho wilderness areas are huge and isolated. The human population is ~1.8 million, yet the state contains 4.8 million acres of wilderness and 9 million acres of roadless areas! This means that if you get into trouble in the backcountry, the odds of someone coming along to help are slim to none. I recommend carrying a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) like a Spot, ACR, or Garmin.
- If you are doing one of these routes, plan for the worst. Expect it to take longer than you think. Expect to get lost. Expect to travel in the dark. Take whatever gear you need to not die.
Mapping
Gaia - Gaia used to be a one time fee, but unfortunately they've gone to yearly subscriptions now. Easy to use and build routes. Trails are not always accurate in wilderness areas. Areas can be downloaded ahead of time for offline use.
CalTopo - Best used on a desktop and not as intuitive for route building as Gaia, CalTopo files can be exported to other programs like Gaia for mobile use or Avenza for mobile use or printing.
- How to make maps in CalTopo
Avenza - Only good for mobile use with a yearly subscription. Great for making paper maps. You can design a route in CalTopo, transfer it to Avenza, and print a map with whatever dimensions you'd like and with your route highlighted on it.
GreenTrails - If you're going into the Wallowas, GreenTrails makes a great map for that area. I have emailed them twice asking if they had plans to expand into Idaho but have yet to receive a response.
National Forest Store - You can purchase Nat'l Forest maps here, or in person at any ranger station, visitor center, or in Boise at 1249 South Vinnell Way #200. 208-373-4100. They have maps that might not be available online.