Silver Creek Preserve is a quiet, sparkling winter destination. During my visit last weekend, freshly fallen snow glittered and waterfowl flocked to the spring-fed stream.
The Nature Conservancy of Idaho owns and manages Silver Creek Preserve, which consists of 883 acres surrounding the creek.
Conservation easements by surrounding landowners protect another 9,500 acres of land, providing a pastoral blend of natural terrain and agriculture land.
I visited the creek for a bird-counting trip co-sponsored by the preserve and the Environmental Resource Center in Ketchum.
Springs keep the creek thawed during winter, attracting wildlife and providing important winter habitat for birds.
Our group saw prairie falcons, mallards, wigeons, tundra and trumpeter swans, and many of the 150 species of birds that frequent the preserve.
Long popular with fly anglers, the preserve’s rich ecosystem attracts all types of nature lovers.
Snowshoers stroll on the preserve’s snow-covered roads or hike beside the creek.
The springs feeding the creek make it rich with aquatic insects, and provide prime habitat for brown and rainbow trout that attract fly anglers from all over the world.
Silver Creek and the surrounding land was the Nature Conservancy’s first project in Idaho.
The conservancy bought the original 476 acres in 1976. Later purchases and conservation easements increased the preserve’s size.
If you visit the preserve, stop at the visitors center and sign in. There is no day-use fee, but a $5 donation is suggested to assist with maintenance costs.
The interior of the visitors center is closed during winter, but there’s a sign-in desk on the porch, which has one of the most photographed views in Idaho.
Silver Creek, the nature trail and the nearby Picabo Hills are spread out before you in a bird’s eye view of shrub land, riparian forest and wetlands. Guided snowshoe or ski tours and nature walks are available during winter by appointment by calling (208) 788-7910.
SUMMER ACTIVITIES
Canoeists paddle the meandering creek, and fly anglers try to entice the creek’s large trout.
The visitors center is open from Memorial Day to Labor Day and is worth visiting for its small gift shop, interpretive signs and displays. You can also borrow the nature guidebook “A Day on the Water.”
It explains the insects, animals, geology and plants in the area. It was written and illustrated by Poo-Wright Pulliam and Lisa Huttinger at the Environmental Resource Center.
You can canoe Silver Creek by putting in at the west entrance of the preserve on Stalker Road and floating 4 miles to the take-out at the east entrance of the preserve at Kilpatrick Bridge Road.
There is a 7-mile loop trail for hiking and jogging. Start at the visitors center, go along the creek, crossing two bridges, then along the road and onto another trail that returns to the visitors center.
There is a full slate of summer activities scheduled to celebrate Silver Creek Preserve’s 35th anniversary.
Go to www.idahonature.org for a list of wildlife and wildflower viewing hikes, birding sessions, canoe floats, visitors center exhibits and art classes.
Getting there: From Boise, take Interstate 84 to the second Mountain Home exit. Take U.S. 20 to the flashing light at the junction of Idaho 75. Cross the highway and continue about 7 miles to Kilpatrick Bridge Road; turn right. Cross the bridge and continue on the road to the visitors center.
Natalie Bartley is a freelance outdoors writer and the author of two trail guidebooks. E-mail: natbartley@earthlink.net.
