I decided to establish this route because I don't believe that the Boise area has a premier FKT option yet. We have a couple that are doable in winter and year-round, but none that push up to our higher points, and none that feature direct, mostly uphill routes. With that being said, I plotted out this route because it features a little bit of everything great on our trails here. Fun singletrack, shaded fire roads, a downtown city start, and a finish right at our highest point.
What really makes it special though? A few things. It starts at the state capitol building (with a ring of the Liberty Bell replica) and it finishes right at our local high point, which is just about 5,000 feet higher up. It also has an almost exact 6,000 feet of total gain in just about exactly 20 miles. You get to pass through a couple different types of terrain, from city/urban neighborhood to small riparian zones, then onto typical sagebrush/high desert foothills, into Ponderosa forest and granite outcrops near the summit.
Turn-by-turn directions included here:
Start on Capitol steps: Liberty Bell Replica – ding the bell!
Turn right up 8th Street for 3.7 miles
Turn left on 8th Street Connection for 1 mile
Turn right on Highlands for 1.7 miles
Turn right on Corrals for 1 mile
Take left at split onto Hard Guy and continue for 4.9 miles
Turn left on Boise Ridge Rd for 5.6 miles
Turn right on NFD 374 Rd for 1.9 miles
Turn right on access road to summit of Shafer Butte for 1/4 mile
Finish at the small rock pile next to the large radio tower
