Guffey Butte

Guffey Butte is a volcanic summit rising directly south of the Snake River near Kuna, Idaho. A lower ridge of the mountain is most obvious from the trailhead, with a crown of craggy basalt and a striking rock tower on one side. The actual summit is actually above and behind this, however. Even though lot of people hike to the rocky ridge for kid-friendly scrambling and elevated views, relatively few continue all the way to the true top of the butte. The butte looks intimidating from afar, but the summit is actually attainable with nothing more than steep walking on dirt paths and grassy slopes. There is no designated trail, only social paths that become increasingly faint as they go. The whole hike is exposed to the sun and wind, so the best seasons are spring and fall when it's not too hot or to cold. Any time of year can be good, however, if you catch a mild and dry day.

The hike starts from Celebration Park, which charges a small entrance fee, but some parking is available outside the gate for free. This destination is quite popular with residents of Kuna and Boise, so the trailhead can be busy, but once on the trails the crowds quickly thin out. Begin by crossing the historic railroad bridge over the river. Where different trails branch out on the other side, take the one that leads straight up the nearest hill. This dirt path goes quite steeply up sunny slopes, toward the black cliffs above. It soon reaches a saddle with basalt outcrops on either side, and you can choose whether to cross over the ridge or scramble up the rocks to move out the ridgeline. Exploring the ridgeline is optional for reaching the top of the butte, but the views are not to be missed. Steep hiking and some easy scrambling will get you through the basalt bands, and out to a perch near the soaring rock tower. From there you can see over a long stretch of the Snake River and a lot of the surrounding countryside.

A sloping valley of grass and tumbleweed separates this ridge from the rest of the butte, and a faint trail is visible across it. Follow that path, which eventually peters out on the opposite hillside, then just keep going up. The slope will soon level out and a view will unfold. The south side of the butte is rimmed by cliffs, allowing an excellent view to the Owyhee Mountains. At this point you’re almost at the summit, just turn and walk the rest of the way up the mellow ridgeline. On top you’ll find a rock cairn and perhaps a summit register.