Boise, ID

It was around 6:30AM, when I turned East on Warm Springs. Towards the end of the avenue I passed Adams Elementary School, the Trolley House Cafe and the turn-off to the old Idaho State Penitentiary.

About a mile down the road from the old state pen, was the Warm Springs Golf Course to my right. As I entered the narrow and winding road that loops around Warm Springs Mesa, I was startled by a young
“Muley,“ or (Mule Deer), that hopped a concrete barrier and bounded up the hill to my left. For locals and daily drivers, this is well known. But if your new to the area or a visitor, heed the signs about Wildlife Crossings!

Looking at wildlife, is part of the beauty of the drive, but it can also get you in trouble. (It’s spring and the mesa is renown for littering the road with an assortment of rocks and stones).

A bit further down the road, one comes head-on to a good view of the Boise River as it flows towards the mesa. During the winter months, low water forms a riffle and a small eddy, where geese and ducks congregate. As spring approached I could watch early morning fisherman cast their first flies for hungry trout.

Today the river was running high-the throngs of duck and geese all but gone. Too swift for fishermen, all that remained was a lone bald eagle, rainbow trout grasped firmly in his talons. He landed in nearby tree, to savor his morning meal.

Passing the flashing yellow light at the far end of the mesa, I descended into what is known as Harris Ranch. Mainly wintering range for elk and deer, it has been rapidly replaced by high-end development. As you enter the valley glance to the North. Cattle feed here occasionally and things you may see are deer, elk, fox, hawks and geese.

At this point Warm Springs Ave. turns into State Highway 21. A section of the greenbelt which runs East to West can now be seen off to your right-or South. There are several points where you can pull off and access the greenbelt, but due to a narrow road and construction of the new bridge near the mesa, I would recommend an area where we pull off every morning for a break.

Look for a street sign that says, Harris Ranch Road to your left. This is a turn-off to the back of Harris Ranch. Just pass this sign, but off to your right, you will see a large gravel parking area adjacent to the greenbelt. This area is just West of the old Barber Park Road, which has now been barricaded. Here you can access the greenbelt.

If one looks South from this vantage point, you will see a large field of green pasture with a smattering of trees in the distance. Early morning hours will bring throngs of geese as they make their way to the fields to gorge on spring grass.

For nearly a month and half now, a small heard of cattle have been roaming the pasture feeding on plentiful pasture. Intermixed with them is what we call, “Ben,”-The Wayward Elk!

I don’t know how long Ben will be around, but lately we can make out the velvet antlers of a young bull elk on top of his scraggly mane. From time to time we have watched Ben as he has butted heads with smaller domesticated cattle. Other times, he is intimated by larger ones. It’s really hoot to watch him at play!

He pretty much stays near the cattle which roam the pasture. At times he can be found near the old Barber Park road to the East, all the way to the Western end of the field. If you go, take your kiddies’ and a good camera.

Obey the law and stay on the greenbelt and don’t trespass on the farmers fields. Keep a healthy distance, as he is still a wild animal! From time to time he has been known to jump the fence in front of an unsuspecting motorist and zip over to the North for greener pastures.