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Highland Valley - Cobb Loop
Trail Running Route
Hard
5.56 mi
1,416 ft
Steep training loop in the foothills of Lucky Peak.
Starting from Highland Valley trailhead, this loop climbs trails and dirt roads to get respectably high on the slopes of Lucky Peak, though the summit is still quite a bit higher. It's perhaps not the most scenic of loops in the Boise foothills, but you still get a good vantage over the edge of town and a decent dose of nature on the trails. With 1400 feet of gain in a fairly short loop, this one is great for hill training on the east side of town. The loop is good in either direction, but here it's mapped counterclockwise, which positions the 4WD roads during the ascent, and leaves the best singletrack for the descent. To go this way, you'll start on West Highland Valley trail. Instead of following this doubletrack all the way up the gulch, you can cut off to the left on an unnamed singletrack that goes up the other side of the ridge, as mapped here. This rejoins Highland Valley up at the archery range. A foot-traffic-only trail goes past the archery targets, then hits Shaw Mtn Road. This wide 4WD road climbs further and later reaches a prominent junction. There you'll continue onto the Lucky Peak #8 4WD trail, which rolls upward for a while then tips downward until the junction with Cobb trail. Once on Cobb, you're on the home stretch, and it's pretty much all singletrack except for the steepest parts, which are wider. There's a bit of rocky and loose footing, but it's mostly smooth sailing all the way back to Highland Valley trailhead. Written by Jesse Weber
Starting from Highland Valley trailhead, this loop climbs trails and dirt roads to get respectably high on the slopes of Lucky Peak, though the summit is still quite a bit higher. It's perhaps not the most scenic of loops in the Boise foothills, but you still get a good vantage over the edge of town and a decent dose of nature on the trails. With 1400 feet of gain in a fairly short loop, this one is great for hill training on the east side of town. The loop is good in either direction, but here it's mapped counterclockwise, which positions the 4WD roads during the ascent, and leaves the best singletrack for the descent. To go this way, you'll start on West Highland Valley trail. Instead of following this doubletrack all the way up the gulch, you can cut off to the left on an unnamed singletrack that goes up the other side of the ridge, as mapped here. This rejoins Highland Valley up at the archery range. A foot-traffic-only trail goes past the archery targets, then hits Shaw Mtn Road. This wide 4WD road climbs further and later reaches a prominent junction. There you'll continue onto the Lucky Peak #8 4WD trail, which rolls upward for a while then tips downward until the junction with Cobb trail. Once on Cobb, you're on the home stretch, and it's pretty much all singletrack except for the steepest parts, which are wider. There's a bit of rocky and loose footing, but it's mostly smooth sailing all the way back to Highland Valley trailhead. Written by Jesse Weber
Created By
Strava Routes
Route and Elevation
Segments
| Name | Distance | Elev. Diff. | Avg. Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Balls to the wall | 0.32 mi | 135 ft | 7.7% |
| Froot Loop CCW | 5.54 mi | -1,325 ft | -0.0% |
| Highland Valley: TH to Road Fork | 2.33 mi | 1,201 ft | 9.7% |
| Highland Valley: TH to Trail Fork | 1.40 mi | 774 ft | 10.5% |
| Highland Valley: TH to Road | 1.70 mi | 879 ft | 9.8% |
| Highland Valley up to Cobb | 0.14 mi | 75 ft | 9.9% |
| W. Highland Valley Trail Climb | 1.43 mi | 768 ft | 10.1% |
| #8 Lucky Peak Trail: E Shaw Mtn Rd to Cobb Trail | 1.19 mi | -302 ft | -2.6% |
| Unnamed Rd Climb | 0.36 mi | 157 ft | 8.2% |
| Cobb Down | 1.66 mi | -988 ft | -10.6% |
| Cobb Trail DOWN to Highland Valley TH | 1.98 mi | -1,050 ft | -10.0% |
| Cobb exodus | 0.07 mi | 69 ft | 16.9% |