8 Reasons Why the Mountains in Idaho are the Worst

Idaho is known for its natural beauty and has some of the most beautiful landscapes in the country. The canyon, the craters, the gems, and the mountains, all make the state beautiful, and when many think of Idaho they think of the mountains in the state. The northern part of the state is mostly mountainous and is one of the prettiest parts of the country, and while many people travel here to spend time hiking, skiing, snowboarding, and camping in these beautiful mountains, they can be overrated and the worst as well. Here are some reasons why the mountains of Idaho are the worst and the problems with them that nobody wants to admit.

The Mountains are too Cold

Idaho is already a state with pretty cold weather. This last week, there were parts of the state that were below zero, some even by double digits. Head up to the mountains, where the elevation is even higher and the weather is even colder, and that is too cold for me or most people. It doesn't matter how many layers you wear, there is a certain point when it is too cold, and in the winter, the mountains of Idaho find that temperature. It is plenty cold in the Magic Valley, no need to head to a part where it is even further below zero.

It is too Hard to get to the Top

While many people dream of hiking to the top of Mount Everest or some other mountain, not everyone will accomplish that goal. The mountains in Idaho aren't nearly that high, but getting to the top would make for a beautiful view and an accomplishment you could brag about. The problem is, the ski lifts typically only go so high and won't take you to the top, and for those that are out of shape and not avid hikers like myself, this makes getting to the peak a little tougher and a task that seems like a little too much work. If someone makes it to the top of a mountain this winter, make sure to email your pictures, so those of us that didn't can enjoy the view too.

Getting Down a Mountain isn't Easy Either

While going up is tough and limits us out of shapers, coming down is no easy task either. Many chair lifts won't let you ride down, snowboarding and skiing are tough and expensive, and not everyone knows how to do it. Yes, you could roll down the mountain, but that sounds painful and would take far too long. Where is the escalator or elevator that allows a person to go to the top, enjoy the view, and then come back down without much effort or danger?

Driving Around a Mountain Takes too Long

Whenever you go to Utah from Twin Falls, the fastest route is to take the interstate through Burley and Rupert, and then eventually begin heading south. The reason this is the best route is that the South Hills are in the way. Imagine if there was a road that on a map went diagonally from Twin Falls to the Utah border and met up with the interstate. It would save a good hour if not more when driving to Salt Lake City. While the South Hills are great, they block the quickest path, and other mountains do as well. Roads have to curve and weave through the mountains or go entirely around them, and it makes long drives even longer. We either need tunnels or to move the mountains to a more convenient location.

There is too Much Snow in the Mountains

While many of us visit the mountains in the winter to enjoy the snow, either to go skiing, snowboarding, sledding, or to play in, there can sometimes be a little too much. Last year, some cars were buried for weeks and months, because the snowfall got so high, and this is not ok. There is a thing as too much snow, and the Idaho mountains are proof of that. If a kid can step into a soft spot and disappear entirely, it is funny, but also a sign that there is too much snow in that area. When getting to your sledding spot or looking to get to and from your car is like walking through a cold white swamp, with snow up to your knees, then you have hit the point of too much powdery goodness, and it's time for some of it to begin melting.

Not Enough Wildlife in the Mountains

One of the luxuries of living in Idaho is that there is plenty of wildlife in the area, and there are animals that you can't see in other places in the country, such as moose, wolves, and bears. When visiting the mountains for a day or weekend, many families hope to spot an elk, a moose, perhaps a wolf or bear, of course from a safe distance and in their vehicle. The problem is that this isn't a guarantee and that is why the mountains can disappoint and are the worse. Discovery Channel and the Travel Channel present animals in mountainous areas to be easy to spot and enjoy, like a free zoo, so when the mountains don't produce, it is extremely disappointing.

Trails in the Mountains Aren't Paved or Marked

Hiking in the mountains of Idaho in the summer is a great way to enjoy the outdoors, and see the beautiful nature the state has to offer, and also works as great exercise. The problem is, that most, if not all of the trails, are dirt and aren't paved. This means that shoes are getting filthy, it is easy to lose a trail and get lost, and it can make it less leveled and harder to walk and hike. Also, many trails are not marked and do not have markers as you hike up and down them, making it hard to know how far you have gone and how much further it is back to your car or destination. Somebody needs to pave these trails and mark them to make it easy for less experienced hikers. 

Driving Through the Mountains Can be Life Threatening

While driving around mountains can take a long time and be tiring, driving through them can be dangerous and an experience. Many mountain roads are too curvy and winding and can cause car sickness, and if somebody throws up in the car, it could create a trickle effect and stink up the car. If you are pulling a trailer, these roads are even more dangerous, and you must go slower, thus upsetting the people behind you that have no trailer. Many of these roads do not have guardrails on the side either, meaning one wrong turn could be your last, and that is terrifying. Perhaps it is best to avoid driving through the mountains at all and stick to flat straight roads instead. 

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While the mountains of Idaho have many flaws, they are gorgeous and there is no argument for that. Driving home and seeing the white peaks in the distance can make a bad day seem better in a second. The roads can be dangerous to drive on, but once you reach your destination, it is worth it. Driving around the mountains may take a while, but the view in the process beats the flat nothingness of a desert. Hiking trails are meant to be unmarked at times and are part of the adventure and fun of hiking. If wildlife was always visible it wouldn't make it so special when you do catch that glimpse of a majestic beast in its natural habitat. While there can be too much snow at times, that snow is part of the appeal of winter and what makes going to the mountains so fun. Reaching the peak of a mountain is a goal and if it was easy, everyone could do it and it wouldn't make the feeling of doing it so amazing. Getting down can be tough, but tuck and roll and you'll find the bottom eventually. As far as the cold, bundle up and deal with it. It's going to be cold but you already knew that. Don't take the mountains in Idaho for granted, enjoy them and have fun when visiting them this winter, or anytime you go.