Backpack the Painted Canyon Loop, Honeycombs Wilderness

The Honeycombs Wilderness Area is one of those top secret spots that backpackers don't like to talk about in fear of it being revealed. The thing that makes this trip special is just that: isolation.

The trailhead is just west of the Oregon/Idaho border but is best to approach from the Idaho side. It is strongly recommended to drive a high clearance vehicle as the road is dirt, bumpy, and slow moving. Also expect to go through makeshift cattle gates along the way (I'm not kidding, this place is OUT there).

• From Marsing, take Hwy 95 for 21 miles.
• Turn right and remain on McBride Creek Rd for 8.7 miles.
• Turn right on Succor Creek Rd and travel for 7 miles.
• At a fork in the road, hang left and travel for another 7 miles. Begin looking for a cattle trough on your right.
• At the cattle trough, take a right up the hill (past the trough) and travel the last mile to the end of the unnamed road and the trailhead.

The Painted Canyon Loop begins by heading down Carlton Canyon from the trailhead. Once you've reached Owyhee Lake (6.2 mi), trek north and turn up Painted Canyon and eventually up over Juniper Ridge. The duration of the trip could be anything from a 18-ish mile day hike to a three night backpacking trip. The Honeycombs Wilderness and Painted Canyon are appropriately named…the rock formations and colors along the trail are something you've never seen before.

This loop wouldn't be tagged for Advanced hikers and backpackers for no reason, would it? There are a variety of challenges on the trail and it's crucial to be prepared heading into the trip. Bring a GPS system of some sort. As previously mentioned, this loop is extremely remote and it will help navigate through any doubt. This area also gets very hot as early as March or April. The only source of water is the lake, so plan accordingly and bring extra purification methods. The hike out is a doozy. Incredible, but a doozy.

Let me know in the comments below if you have any questions about the loop, or drop a line about much fun you had on the trip!