The Owyhee Pedal Patrol Story
The Owyhee Pedal Patrol is a group of volunteers assembled to explore, share and contribute to the responsible management of the amazing region that is defined by the Owyhee Canyonlands Wilderness Area. This rugged landscape in southwest Idaho contains six individual wilderness areas totaling over a half-million acres, encompassing some of the deepest canyons and wildest rivers in the world. Our friend and co-conspirator Evan Worthington is the BLM’s field ranger in charge of patrolling this vast expanse. That’s one lone ranger tasked with covering a half-million acres of territory! The Owyhee Pedal Patrol was formed in 2014 as a force multiplier for Evan and the BLM. We are not enforcement officers. Our mission is to ride the boundaries, cherrystem routes and occasionally venture on foot into the wilderness areas to make a record of what we find so that these special places can be managed using accurate, up-to-date information.
Our goal for the coming year is to have at least one group of volunteers on an OPP ride every month. In order to accomplish this goal, we need to deepen the pool of riders. Hopefully that is why you’re reading this post! If you enjoy rugged landscapes, challenging riding, self-supported bike travel and want an opportunity to experience all of the above via a free shuttle from the BLM, OPP WANTS YOU!
Volunteer Requirements
Owyhee Pedal Patrol riders must meet two primary requirements to be cleared to volunteer through the BLM: 1) Participation in a Leave No Trace training program and 2) a BLM-approved First Aid certification, both within the last year. We strive to offer annual or bi-annual trainings (usually in the fall or winter months) through the OPP to keep those certifications up to date. This North Fork Campout will check both boxes – clearing new volunteers to join the OPP ranks.
Please note that the First Aid training provided at this event is not sanctioned by the Red Cross or any other medical agency. It is only valid as clearance to volunteer for OPP. If you discover an interest and want to take your training to the next level, we highly recommend signing up for a Wilderness First Responder course via the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) or a similar course focused on providing emergency care in remote areas.
You’ll also need to provide your own bike, gear and supplies for each trip. Most riders would agree that the ideal bike for the rugged, unmaintained terrain of the Canyonlands is a wide-tired off-road touring bike like the Surly ECR. However, riders have participated on everything from pavement touring bikes to full-on fatbikes, full-sus MTBs and even longtail cargo bikes. If a bike and/or gear is a barrier to participation please email [email protected] and we’ll see how we can help!
Daily mileage and route difficulty is highly variable and can be tuned to the needs of a given group. Base camping with unloaded day rides is an option but this region is best experienced via a self-contained through-ride or loop. We’ll always err on the shorter/easier side if in doubt as conditions can change rapidly and “desert miles” often feel much longer! As is the case with the North Fork Campout, we’ll typically shoot to depart from BLM HQ in Boise on Friday afternoon to shuttle out. A Friday afternoon departure helps keep the ratio of truck time to saddle time reasonable, allows two nights of camping and all of Saturday to ride before reaching the pickup location for the return to town on Sunday.
Benefits of Volunteering
- Free shuttle from the BLM to ride bikes in one of the most beautiful and remote places you’ll ever see.
- Additional safety via BLM-provided SPOT tracking devices, satellite phone, trauma/first aid kits, etc.
- Access to the best maps, routing information and current condition updates.
- Good times riding bikes with a fun group of folks!
Ready to get on board? Join us October 11-23 at the North Fork Campground! This free event is a great opportunity to experience the Canyonlands without the commitment of an overnight bike ride. We’ll base camp out of the North Fork CG, knock out 4 hours of training in the mornings and have the afternoons free to ride and explore. Attendees will leave cleared to volunteer through next October. If you’re able to depart on Friday afternoon (see timeline below) you’ll have the option to use BLM-provided transportation. If you choose to drive yourself please share rides as much as possible.
Link to Registration Form: Register for the October OPP Campout here.
Please register even if you do not plan to attend the training sessions.
What to Bring
- Water for the weekend or means to filter! There is no potable water at the campground though water can be readily filtered from the North Fork Owyhee River.
- Camping Gear – The main group will base at the campground but the option to camp off the bike is available. Just be back in time for Sunday training at 9am!
- Warm Layers! Especially important for chilly morning training sessions. Keep an eye on the weather in Jordan Valley for the best indication of expected conditions.
- Food and Snacks! BTN will provide a chili dinner Saturday evening. You are on your own for all other meals and snacks.
- Bike! Any good MTB or dirt touring bike will be fine for this trip. Lacking an appropriate bike? Email [email protected] and we’ll see what we can do.
OPP North Fork Campout Timeline
Friday, Oct. 11
- 3pm : Meet at BLM HQ (3948 Development Ave, Boise, ID 83705. Near Boise Airport) to Carpool Up
- 4pm : Roll Out to North Fork Campground – https://www.blm.gov/visit/north-fork-campground
- Expect about 3 hours drive time.
- Please carpool if you’ll be providing your own transportation!
Saturday, Oct. 12
- 9am – 1pm : First Aid Clinic
- 1pm – 7pm : Ride Time! Fishing potential also.
- 7:30pm : Chili Dinner p/b Bike Touring News (Vegan/Vegetarian and Carnivore options. Please note your preference upon registration.)
Sunday, Oct. 13
- 9 – 10:30am : Leave No Trace Clinic
- 11am – 1pm : First Aid Scenarios
- 1pm – 4pm : Ride Time or Add’nl First Aid Training if needed
Questions? Concerns? Email [email protected]. See you on the North Fork!