The Eastside Trail connects Stack Rock Reserve and Bogus Basin.  The 6.5-mile trail starts at the Eastside Trailhead on Bogus Basin Rd, just a half-mile from Simplot Lodge.  The trail drops 1000 feet in the first 4.5 miles, making a perfect descent for a fast pace.  There are plenty of stream crossings and rocks to run around that add some technical difficulty. The trail winds through a forested area with plenty of breaks offering views of the Treasure Valley.  Wildflowers dot the surrounding meadows in the spring season.

What makes the Eastside trail so special is that it’s used to combine all the region’s trails.  The trail can be a simple out and back or used with Bogus Basin and Stack Rock to run well over a marathon distance.

 

Bogus Creek Crossing

 

Another popular 13-mile loop using the Eastside trail starts at the Stack Rock Trailhead.  This route has 2300′ climbing and uses some other popular trails like Mr. Big and Sinker Creek.  Start on the 3.4 mile stretch of Freddy’s Stack Rock Trail.  The trail is mostly downhill with a few rocky sections and provides outstanding views of Boise.

 

Sinker Creek Trail

 

At the end of Freddy’s Stack Rock is the intersection of Eastside and Sweet Connie.  Cross Eastside and proceeds on to Mr. Big Trail.  Mr. Big continues to descend through trees for another two miles to Sinker Creek.  Turn left on Sinker Creek Trail after a quarter-mile climb.  Continue on Sinker Creek through dense forest crossing Shafer Creek a couple of times.  After 2.5 miles is the pinnacle of the climb and the Eastside Trail junction.  Turn right on Eastside for a nice two-mile descent.  Save the leg for the final three-mile ascent as it climbs around a thousand feet.  Take a right on the Entrance Exam Trail.  Continue on the Entrance Exam Trail for two miles to the Stack Rock trailhead. Turn left for a short stint on Bogus Basin Rd. back to Freddy’s Stack Rock Trailhead.