Idaho is full of secret little gems that are only known to the locals who live in the area. When Mom and my sister Erika returned from their first Idaho trip in August 1987, they had pictures of this place called Crystal Mountain that Dad had taken them to. I am sure Dad's friend Keith had taken him there when they were cutting wood the previous autumn, and he wanted to take all of us there.
I had gone on my first trip to Idaho in June 1988, and of course, Dad had to take me for the obligatory trip to Crystal Mountain. What pray tell is all the hoopla about Crystal Mountain? This is a big rock in the middle of nowhere created mostly from quartz crystal.
Dad and I left his house outside of town in the morning for our adventure to Crystal Mountain. We had to park the car in a parking area at the beginning of the trail to the mountain and hike in about 1 1/2-2 miles before getting there. Along the way, Dad pointed out the pyrite (or Fool's Gold) that lined the road. It might look like gold, but it's not and many people who think they can retire early are sadly disappointed.
After a short hike, Dad and I finally arrived at Crystal Mountain. WOW! It was more beautiful in person than in Mom's pictures with the quartz crystal glistening in the sun.
After walking around checking out this natural wonder, Dad and I sat down on a rock overlooking the valley to the rest of the Payette National Forest to have our apples and catch our breath before heading back to the car. We could hear a couple of Bighorn Sheep in the nearby mountains ramming into each other competing for a female, and the noise was echoing to our perch at Crystal Mountain. It was awesome!
Tummies full and done checking out Crystal Mountain, Dad and I headed back down the trail to the car and home, where Tyler, who didn't come with us on this trip greeted us with excitement.
Crystal Mountain is located off of Lick Creek Road near Legacy Park on Payette Lake. This is a wild dirt road that can be closed due to fires in the summer time and only accessible by snowmobile in the winter. Check with a local, McCall Police, or the Chamber of Commerce before embarking on this adventure.