Zeno Canyon is located in the Jack's Creek Wilderness high desert (5800') about 50 miles south of Bruneau Idaho.
Getting a late start i arrived at the Battle Creek turn off from Hiway 51 at 6 PM. This is a fairly good road with stretches of washboard.
A short time later arriving at the edge of the Wilderness.
About 7 PM I start looking for a place to camp. Getting hungry!! I find a nice level area not too far from the road to spend the night.
Mediocre sunset.
After about 15 miles I turn North onto this unnamed road. Should be another 15 miles to Zeno.
High clearance is a must but never needed 4X4. Deep ruts, rough and rocky. Took about an hour to do these 5 miles.
Oh Boy!! More free pinstriping!!
Yep.
A couple Pronghorn. I won't get into the technical debate if they are Antelope or not!! ๐
Arrived at the canyon late Friday AM.
Anxious to get into the canyon I dawned my boots, pack and a brand new collapsible walking stick from Walmart. Never used one before so I thought I would try one.
Looking back at camp from rim of canyon.
OK, got to get to the bottom.
OK, this looks like the way to go!!
Geez, overshot the falls on my first descent. They are in the center of this pic. Have to hike back up to the rim, around a cliff face and down again!!
Finally got down to the head of the falls. Man, this thing is noisy!! But I still can't see the entire thing so I got to keep going down.
Wait. What? I got to go down there? Can't quit not. Got to see!!
This was the most challenging part of the hike. Very steep and tons of loose shale. I fell several times, once because my new walking stick collapsed unintentionally. Anyway, I get to the bottom and TADA!!
Yep. The falls are all overgrown. I said a few bad words!!!
Now I have to climb back out. I am a little concerned about making it. I send DW a SPOT msg so they will know where to find the body!! 3 steps up, slide back 2!! And a lot of crawling!!
I finally made it back up on top, obviously, but now without falling one more time and severely bending my new walking stick!! I really liked the stick. Maybe I should go to REI for a decent one? Or being 3/4 through my 6th decade maybe I should just start acting my age!!
Back at camp, a sheet of mole skin, fillet mignon and a 5th of Jack, all was good with the world!!
Awoke to another beautiful day on Saturday. Not done exploring but I think I will do the rest sitting down.
According to my map this is called Harvey's Place. I think he needs to get over here for some maintenance.
Found another neat canyon a few miles West of Zeno. No, I didn't hike to the bottom of this one!!
Someone must have been bored. Half mile form the nearest road.
Overall it was a pretty fun trip. From the time I pulled off Hiway 51 on Thursday until my return on Sunday, never saw/heard another soul. That is my favorite way to camp.
FWIW here is what the falls used to look like.
Zeno Falls
Getting a late start i arrived at the Battle Creek turn off from Hiway 51 at 6 PM. This is a fairly good road with stretches of washboard.
A short time later arriving at the edge of the Wilderness.
About 7 PM I start looking for a place to camp. Getting hungry!! I find a nice level area not too far from the road to spend the night.
Mediocre sunset.
After about 15 miles I turn North onto this unnamed road. Should be another 15 miles to Zeno.
High clearance is a must but never needed 4X4. Deep ruts, rough and rocky. Took about an hour to do these 5 miles.
Oh Boy!! More free pinstriping!!
Yep.
A couple Pronghorn. I won't get into the technical debate if they are Antelope or not!! ๐
Arrived at the canyon late Friday AM.
Anxious to get into the canyon I dawned my boots, pack and a brand new collapsible walking stick from Walmart. Never used one before so I thought I would try one.
Looking back at camp from rim of canyon.
OK, got to get to the bottom.
OK, this looks like the way to go!!
Geez, overshot the falls on my first descent. They are in the center of this pic. Have to hike back up to the rim, around a cliff face and down again!!
Finally got down to the head of the falls. Man, this thing is noisy!! But I still can't see the entire thing so I got to keep going down.
Wait. What? I got to go down there? Can't quit not. Got to see!!
This was the most challenging part of the hike. Very steep and tons of loose shale. I fell several times, once because my new walking stick collapsed unintentionally. Anyway, I get to the bottom and TADA!!
Yep. The falls are all overgrown. I said a few bad words!!!
Now I have to climb back out. I am a little concerned about making it. I send DW a SPOT msg so they will know where to find the body!! 3 steps up, slide back 2!! And a lot of crawling!!
I finally made it back up on top, obviously, but now without falling one more time and severely bending my new walking stick!! I really liked the stick. Maybe I should go to REI for a decent one? Or being 3/4 through my 6th decade maybe I should just start acting my age!!
Back at camp, a sheet of mole skin, fillet mignon and a 5th of Jack, all was good with the world!!
Awoke to another beautiful day on Saturday. Not done exploring but I think I will do the rest sitting down.
According to my map this is called Harvey's Place. I think he needs to get over here for some maintenance.
Found another neat canyon a few miles West of Zeno. No, I didn't hike to the bottom of this one!!
Someone must have been bored. Half mile form the nearest road.
Overall it was a pretty fun trip. From the time I pulled off Hiway 51 on Thursday until my return on Sunday, never saw/heard another soul. That is my favorite way to camp.
FWIW here is what the falls used to look like.
Zeno Falls
Great trip report especially for an older geezer like you. Wish I could get way away from everyone in such beautiful country.
Would like some more info on the odd color of the cliffs in this picture. If it washed white from water flows or what?
Ooops, gotta go, AARP is calling.
Would like some more info on the odd color of the cliffs in this picture. If it washed white from water flows or what?
Ooops, gotta go, AARP is calling.
