White Bird Battlefield

July 2019 - photos by Eric

"A little piece of heaven", is what I thought as I began hiking the trail that is known today as the White bird Battlefield.

I started the day leaving Boise Idaho, with what should have been a 3 and a half hour drive. There are so many beautiful places to stop, that it took me until late afternoon to arrive.

The town of White Bird is a small mountain village, with a population of just over 90. I spoke with one local who said he was “thinkin ‘bout movin, because of all the foreigners (i.e. city people) that keep drivin down my road”.

It is a quaint little town with a few small shops and one bar and grill. The folks at the bar and grill were a friendly bunch and served a good mountain meal. As I listened to the conversations, I learned that this is where the local news can be found.

About a half mile north of the city is the trailhead for the White Bird Battlefield. White Bird Creek is just east of the trailhead parking. Walking north and a little west, I crossed the paved road and arrived at the actual trailhead.

This is a beautiful three-mile hike that takes you up to an overlook of the battlefield. This was one of the homes of the Nez Perce and with a little imagination you can visualize the teepees with children running around and just enjoying life.

The 1870’s were a turbulent time for the American Indian. Everything they knew and loved was about to change forever, but that is another story.

This hike has wonderful scenery and sounds. The tall grass and rolling hills is very much the way it has been for centuries. Wildlife is abundant and deer graze quietly in the distance.

Anyone that enjoys nature, history, and clear mountain air, will enjoy this experience.