Saturday was the summer kick off for the Bogus Basin Mountain Recreation Area and, this season, their lift operations are in full swing.
Access to the trails are free of charge. Plus, they have a new 24/7 bike station where bikers can gain access to tools, compressed air and water. Their parking lot and bathrooms are open to the public as well.
Whether you head up the hill to seek a bird's eye view of the valley, enjoy a hike or a bike ride on the number one rated mountain bike trail in Idaho, there are plenty of reasons why people are making the trek up the winding hill.
Dan Minnaert says having access to the chair lift in the summer time can make for a more enjoyable mountain bike ride for the entire family.
"It's fun because you don't have to grind out the hill, you just get a free ride up the hill," he says.
You can catch a lift up the hill and either ride your bike or walk back down. You can simply take in the view both ways.
It is Minnaert's first time on the Bogus Basin Trail System. He and his family are out of town quite a bit in the summer but they opted to stick around town this weekend.
"Fourth of July, we stay home and everybody else goes camping," Minnaert says. "So, Boise is a lot more quiet and it's just a great time to stay in town."
One of the first things you notice atop the mountain is the cooler temperatures.
"We're typically somewhere between 15-20 degrees cooler than the valley," says Brad Wilson, general manager for the Bogus Basin Mountain Recreation Area.
However, that doesn't mean there is a reduction in the risk for a wildfire.
With the Tablerock Fire fresh on people's minds, Wilson reminds everyone that fireworks have no place in the national forests.
But, feel free to bring a lawn chair or two to sit back and relax. Live bands will perform on the mountain each weekend with access to the lodge's summer menu.
Regardless of your budget, there's always the free disc golf courses and scenic overlooks that are priceless.
"If you ride your bike, hike or just ride the lift, you can see some amazing views of the Sawtooth Range and all of the Treasure Valley," Wilson says.
The Deer Point Chair Lift will be up and running this holiday weekend, including the Fourth of July. After that, it will be open each weekend through Labor Day weekend.
You do have to buy a pass to ride the chair lift.
