Heyburn Indian Cliffs Dayhike

Check it out

Distance: 3 miles round trip

Difficulty: Moderate

Hiking time: 1-3 hours

Season: March through mid-Dec.

Maps: USGS Chatcolet

Indo: Heyburn State Park, (208) 686-1308

Hiking trip notes

Access: From U.S. Highway 95 at Plummer, Idaho, drive 6 miles east on State Highway 5 and turn north at well-signed road toward Chatcolet. Follow paved road north 1-1/8 miles to trailhead, passing Hawleys Landing Campground, and bay of wild rice. Park on left just after crossing railroad tracks.

Before beginning hike, consider driving 100 yards farther, turning right into Heyburn State Park headquarters to pick up interpretive brochure for Indian Cliffs nature trail (Out of stock until spring).

Optional trailhead: Hike can be extended by hiking lakeshore trail that begins at Hawleys Landing and runs 1-1/8-miles to Indian Cliffs trailhead.

Attractions: Well-groomed trail gains 520 feet elevation to excellent views of “river in a lake,” where St. Joe River separates Round and Chatcolet lakes. Route incorporates nature trail with interpretive stations, plus variety of habitats ranging from dark cedar groves to high, open Ponderosa pine meadow. No motor vehicles, horses or bicycles or camping allowed on this route.

Comments: From Indian Cliffs trailhead, route parallels road, through Oregon grape, ocean spray, snowberry, grand fir and ponderosa pines. Behind park buildings, cross footbridge and take left-most trail at junction. Cross another footbridge and turn right onto nature trail. With accompanying brochure, numbered posts help hikers distinguish natural features and trees such as white pine, Douglas fir, western larch and cedar.

Look for shelf fungi, known as “conks,” especially prolific here. These hoof-shaped mushrooms form on the trunks of dead and living trees.

Trail has sweet odor of thimbleberries in summer and is littered with yellow needles of larch that shed onto trail like leaves and form a path of gold in early November.

Head uphill and skirt below cliffs where scree is covered with moss and fascinating mounds of white lichens. Meanwhile, “old man’s beard” lichen hangs from tree branches above.

Nature trail eventually joins Indian Cliffs trail. Signs point downhill to left, which leads back to trailhead. However, to continue route, turn right and head uphill. Steep grade eventually moderates during 3/4-mile climb through thimbleberries and ferns to grassy slope of open ponderosa pine stand. Expect to see deer tracks on trail.

At switchback, sign tells of 30-acre burn in August 1994. Fire cleared brush, producing excellent hiking and forage for wildlife, ranging from deer and elk to ruffed grouse. Look for rows of woodpecker borings going up lower sections of charred pines.

Trail tops out above Indian cliffs, so named because early whites noticed tribal members spent considerable time at high areas for spiritual ceremonies. Route offers glorious views of Lake Chatcolet, wild rice bogs and St. Joe River.

Pass junction with horse trail and notice boat houses at Rock Point to the southeast.

Eventually trail angles down and into brushy haunts of white-tailed deer. In spring, listen for drumming of ruffed grouse. Trail passes through cedar grove then drops to main junction. Continue across foot bridge for short walk to trailhead.

Hunting not allowed on land portion of park, but wearing blaze-orange vest or hat recommended in autumn, since hunting occurs nearby.

Park day-use hours, dawn to 10 p.m. No fees for day use. Pets allowed, but must be on leash. Campgrounds, water and restrooms closed November-March. Trails open all year.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Graphic: Map of Heyburn Indian Cliffs Dayhike

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