Our 7th hike on a 3+ week trip to Idaho. After spending a few days in and around Boise (inlcuding a visit to the Kitfox Factory), we headed towards home. To break up the drive, we spend 2 nights camping in Fish Lake in south central Utah.

The Drive In

Camping in the Macinaw Campground on the north shore of Fish Lake, we drove northeast to the head of the Lake and the trailhead for the Crater Lake and Johnson Reservoir Loop trail.

The Hike

The hike begins with a pleasant walk and nice trail across the lowlands above the lake. A quarter of a mile on, the trail begins an easy ascent, still in the open with a view down-valley of Fish Lake. After a climb of 300 feet (500 feet) the trail entered the aspen/fir forest and the terrain remained fairly level.

At 1.3 miles into the hike, the trail headed uphill at a steeper incline, for 500 feet where it entered an open area. We continued for another quarter mile across this open area to an overlook of Crater Lake. We stopped here for our mid-hike break/lunch, then returned to the trailhead. This made a quite pleasant hike, a break from the distance driving we faced getting back to Albuquerque.

Statistics

Total Distance:  4.05 miles
Elevation: start  8,869 ft, maximum  9,669 ft,  minimum 8,844 ft
Gross gain: 825 ft.  Aggregate ascending 1,011 ft, descending 1,011 ft
Maximum slope: 33% ascending, 40% descending, 8.9% average
Duration: 3:41

If you haven’t explored these hiking tracks with Google Earth, I urge you to try it. With the virtual 3-dimensional presentation, achieved by panning and tilting the view, you can get a much better idea of the hikes and terrain than you can get from the screenshot above. For some ideas, check out  Using Google Earth Track Files.

References and Resources

AllTrails: Crater Lake and Johnson Reservoir Loop

Pat's Photos: Click on a Photo for Gallery View.

George's Photos: Click on a Photo for Gallery View.

This is the 6th hike on a 3+ week trip to Idaho. After camping other places, we spent 3 days in the Edna Creek Campground.

The Drive In

For this, our 2nd hike out of Edna Creek, we drove 6 miles north on Idaho 21 (Ponderosa Pine Scenic Route) towards Lowman, to the Beaver Creek Summit., parked on the west side of the road, and proceeded up the two-track on FR 394 then onto FR 551C.

The Hike

It was summer, it was hot; we wanted a trail at a higher elevation, hopefully cooler. So we headed uphill to the Beaver Creek Summit, to hike the Stargaze Point Trail. The “trail” is a well used two-track  (“Jeep Trail” on the topo) that proceeds along a ridge, climbing steadily until reaching Stargaze Point, some 500 feet in 1.5 miles. Signs and blazes along the way made it clear this trail is popular in winter, for snowshoeing or maybe cross country skiing. The area is  scrub forest due to the Lowman Fire in 1983. But the openness provided great views of the surrounding mountain ranges and valleys, despite the smoke/haze that was prevalent throughout our stay at Edna Creek.

At about 1.2 miles into the hike, we noticed a yurt, on a promontory below the ridge with a great view across the valley of the West Fork Beaver Creek and the ridges of the Boise Mountains to the south. (Later research revealed that this is the Stargaze Yurt, available for rent from the Idaho State Parks & Recreation.)  

We continued down the two-track, taking a diversion to the right to climb up on Stargaze Point, the highest point around. Having only hiked 1.5 miles at this point, and curious about what lay further on, we returned to the two-track and hiked to what seemed to be the end of this ridge, with a view down into Rock Creek. Now at about 2.5 miles, we headed back up the tw0-track and took the diversion back up on Stargaze Point for our lunch, then back to parking.

Highlight

As on so many hikes in Idaho, the array of flowers continued to amaze us. ‘Tho not as lush as on the trails around Stanley, nonetheless they made the hike more interestng.

Statistics

Total Distance:  5.02 miles
Elevation: start  6,048 ft, maximum  6,679 ft,  minimum 6,048 ft
Gross gain: 631 ft.  Aggregate ascending 1,165 ft, descending 1,164 ft
Maximum slope: 26% ascending, 27% descending, 8.1% average
Duration: 4:14

If you haven’t explored these hiking tracks with Google Earth, I urge you to try it. With the virtual 3-dimensional presentation, achieved by panning and tilting the view, you can get a much better idea of the hikes and terrain than you can get from the screenshot above. For some ideas, check out  Using Google Earth Track Files.

Related Posts

Other posts in Idaho

References and Resources

AllTrails: Stargaze Point Trail via Beaver Creek Summit
Rocky Mountain Summits: Hike to Stargaze Point
It Started Outdoors: Snowshoe Stargaze Trail in Idaho City
Idaho State Parks & Recreation: Stargaze Backcountry Yurt

Pat's Photos: Click on a Photo for Gallery View.

George's Photos: Click on a Photo for Gallery View.

George's Flowers: Click on a Photo for Gallery View.

The 5th of 7 hikes during our 3+ week trip to Idaho. After camping in our R-Pod for 4 days near Stanley, we moved to the Edna Creek Campground south of Lowman for 3 days.

The Drive In

No drive in required here – the trailhead was at the boundary of the campground.

The Hike

Being able to begin the hike without driving was very nice. The trail is well traveled, easy to follow with occasional blazes, we presume for cross country skiing. And there are signs with trail maps at strategic locations. From the campground, it proceeds through open forest with nice shrubs and flowers. With 1 switchback, it ascends some 250 feet to the top of a ridge, which is clean of most all plants – apparently the site of a fire sometime past. Along the way the trail picks up a 2-track, descending somewhat until a junction with other 2-tracks, adjacent to highway ID 21.

We continued around a small hill until finding ourselves again on a 2-track, well maybe more of a road considering its condition (FR 025M). Continuing thereon for 1.2 miles, the road took a downhill turn; we continued on somewhat of a ridge, finding another 2-track, until we reached an overlook, down upon the Crooked River. Here we stopped for our mid-hike break/lunch, then retraced our steps for 3/4 of a mile, then took a ‘Y’ on the road to the right and back to the junction. Here we chose to head downhill in the valley rather than retrace our track back to the campground. This was most pleasant (‘tho without a discernible trail), with green plants all around (tho’ among many dead trees).

This was a good hike, through territory new to us. ‘Tho marred by the many dead and down trees (fire and beetle kill it appeared), the views especially to the horizon were great. (Note: there are other trails starting at the Campground, most longer than this Valley Wagon Trail.

Highlight

On the way towards the overlook for our mid-hike break, we saw a yurt placed prominently on an overlook, also with a view down to the Crooked River. A bit of research: one of many available for rent from the Idaho Sate Parks, summer (fishing and hiking) and winter (skiing). It would be a great getaway.

Statistics

Total Distance:  4.3 miles
Elevation: start  5,255 ft, maximum  5,512 ft,  minimum 5,384 ft
Gross gain: 128 ft.  Aggregate ascending 771 ft, descending 771 ft
Maximum slope: 26% ascending, 25% descending, 6.1% average
Duration: 4:19

If you haven’t explored these hiking tracks with Google Earth, I urge you to try it. With the virtual 3-dimensional presentation, achieved by panning and tilting the view, you can get a much better idea of the hikes and terrain than you can get from the screenshot above. For some ideas, check out  Using Google Earth Track Files.

Related Posts

Other posts in Idaho

References and Resources

AllTrails: Valley Wagon Trail
                  Edna Creek – Valley Wagon to Yurt
Recreation.gov: Edna Creek Campground
Idaho Campground Review: Edna Creek Campground
Idaho State Parks: Rocky Ridge Backcountry Yurt

Pat's Photos: Click on a Photo for Gallery View.

George's Photos: Click on a Photo for Gallery View.

This is our 4th hike during a 3-week trip through middle Idaho and our 3rd hike with our R-Pod set up in the Casino Creek Campground, along the Salmon River five miles east of Stanley.

The Drive In

For this hike, we traveled north from Stanley to Stanley Lake. From downtown Stanley drive north on Idaho 21 for 4,6 miles, then turn left onto Stanley Lake Rd (Forest Road 641) for 3.5 miles, passing the Stanley Lake Campground, and to a parking area to your left along the lake.

The Hike

From the parking lot, we proceeded in a southerly direction on a road seemed to be the direction to go. We proceeded off of the road onto Lakeshore Trail and onto a bridge. But … the bridge ended, overlooking a very swampy area. Near the end was a sign explaining the situation. (Click on the photo for a magnified view.)

We retraced our route, back to the parking lot and northwest on a forest road until finding -the- trailhead for Trail 640 (the GPS route from AllTrails begins here). The trail is well used, even perhaps groomed, as it passes through an open meadow then through a swampy area (with a boardwalk across an area of sometime muck). There are signs along the way for this and other trails that spin off of Lady Face Falls Trail. Ahead and to the left is McGown Peak (9,860 ft) and to the right a ridge (goes up to 8,000 ft) between which lies Stanley Creek. (This trail does continue beyond Lady Face Falls to Bridal Veil Falls, 3.6 miles.)

About 2.2 miles into the hike the trail enters a more forested area and begins to climb (up to this point the elevation gain has been minimal). For the next half mile, the trail climbs some 200 feet. The trail becomes less distinct, but working our way east towards the canyon that we could make out, and the noise of falling water, we found the overlook to Lady Face Falls. The descent to the foot of the Falls was daunting, requiring one to climb down a steep incline over large rocks/boulders – we weren’t up to that this day.

From there we worked our way upstream along the rim of the canyon, finding a nice place to have our mid-hike break/lunch. It was then back down the trail until – we came to a junction, a well worn trail that branched off to the left.Curious, we followed it to a roadway from which it branched to the left, only to find we were looking at a swampy area. But ahead we could see the bridge mentioned above; with the help of some logs we were able to remain dry, crossing to the bridge and back to the truck.

Statistics

Total Distance:  5.58 miles
Elevation: start  6,529 ft, maximum  6,805 ft,  minimum 6,517 ft
Gross gain: 288 ft.  Aggregate ascending 805 ft, descending 806 ft
Maximum slope: 27% ascending, 24% descending, 4.0% average
Duration: 4:32

If you haven’t explored these hiking tracks with Google Earth, I urge you to try it. With the virtual 3-dimensional presentation, achieved by panning and tilting the view, you can get a much better idea of the hikes and terrain than you can get from the screenshot above. For some ideas, check out  Using Google Earth Track Files.

Related Posts

Fourth of July Trail Hike – 06/29/2021
Fishhook Creek-Alpine Way Trails Hike – 06/28/2021
Lower Cedar Creek Falls Trail Hike – 06/26/2021

References and Resources

AllTrails: Lady Face Falls
Idaho Campground Review: Lady Face and Bridal Veil Falls hiking trip
Only In Your State: This Idaho Creek And Waterfall Will Be Your new Favorite Paradise
RV Life: Lady Face Falls: A Must-See  On Your Next Trip To Central Idaho

Pat's Photos: Click on a Photo for Gallery View.

George's Photos: Click on a Photo for Gallery View.

George's Flowers: Click on a Photo for Gallery View.

Our third hike during a 3-week trip through middle Idaho. The R-Pod was set up in the Casino Creek Campground, along the Salmon River five miles east of Stanley. 

The Drive In

To get to the Fourth of July Trailhead, travel 15 miles south on ID 75. Turn left onto FR 209, a gravel road in good condition. The 1st couple of miles is across open scrub-brush range, then enters into Fourth of July Cañon. Continue for 10 miles from ID 75 through the cañon and along Fourth of July Creek, a quite pleasant drive. The trailhead is just off of FR 209, to the right, with ample parking and a quite informative sign board (see photos below).

The Hike

We began our hike by signing in, then heading out on Trail 109 towards Fourth of July Lake. The trail passes through healthy forest and appears to be well used and maintained, making ambulation quite easy. And there are trail signs reaffirming we were on track.

Elevation gain was steady for about 1.6 miles until abreast of Fourth of July Lake (from 8,749 ft to 9,370 ft). After a mostly level section along the margin of the Lake, the trail ascends another 300 feet or so to a saddle (.4 miles), where there was a small pond below some snow up on a rock slope. Then a descent of some 300 feet (.4 miles) to Washington Lake.

This was a great hike on a beautiful trail, with mostly healthy forests (trees, “shrubs”, and flowers). A “clean” trail, steady slope, and great views of mountains left and right. Even some left-over snow. We met only a half  dozen other hikers, tho’ this must be a very popular trail for hiking and backpacking further into the White Cloud Wilderness and surrounding general forest areas.

Statistics

Total Distance:  5.8 miles
Elevation: start  8,749 ft, maximum  9,582 ft,  minimum ft
Gross gain: 833 ft.  Aggregate ascending 1,184 ft, descending 1,189 ft
Maximum slope: 20% ascending, 16% descending, 7.0% average
Duration: 5:25

If you haven’t explored these hiking tracks with Google Earth, I urge you to try it. With the virtual 3-dimensional presentation, achieved by panning and tilting the view, you can get a much better idea of the hikes and terrain than you can get from the screenshot above. For some ideas, check out  Using Google Earth Track Files.

Related Posts

Fishhook Creek-Alpine Way Trails Hike – 06/28/2021
Lower Cedar Creek Falls Trail Hike – 06/26/2021

References and Resources

AllTrails: Fourth of July Lake Trail
                  Washington Lake via  White Clouds Trail
Idaho Campground Review: Hiking to Fourth of July Lake And Washington Lakes
Stanley CC: A Backpacker’s Dream: Whitecloud Wilderness Loop
Visit Idaho: 4 Must-Do Hikes Near Stanley

[George's Photos: Click on a Photo for Gallery View.

George's Flower Photos: Click on a Photo for Gallery View.

This is our 2nd hike on our trip to Idaho, and during our first day with the R-Pod set up in the Casino Creek Campground, along the Salmon River five miles east of Stanley.

The Drive In

I had done much research on hiking trails around Stanley – there were so many choices that it was hard to pick one, especially that we were new to the area. We started the day intending to hike the Fishhook Creek Trail, 4.5 miles with little elevation gain – an easy day. The trailhead is near a parking lot on the drive into the Redfish Lake Lodge (this is about 5 miles south of Stanley;  3 miles on US on Idaho 22 to the turnoff to Redfish Lake, then a couple of miles on the road towards Redfish Lodge).

The Hike

From the parking lot, we followed the signs pointing us across the Lodge Road to where we found the trailhead. The start of the hike was on a well groomed trail, almost a two-track, skirting an pretty aspen grove. The trail continued through open forest but with much dead-fall. I guess we began to think this trail would be too easy because, coming upon a trail going off to the right (and uphill), we changed our course and continued on the Alpine Way trail towards Marshall Lake. (The extensive research paid off – I had imported into USTopo on my phone/GPS most of the trails that I thought we might find interesting. Alpine Way was included so the change in plan went smoothly.)

Up to that point we had gained some 150 ft elevation. But heading up Alpine Way we ascended 450 feet to the top of a ridge and continued climbing from there to our turn-around point. Along the way we had amazing views of the central portion of the Sawtooth Mountains, and could easily see how they came by that name.  The trail remained well used, easy hiking.

We continued on Alpine Way, at one point entering the Sawtooth Wilderness Area (and signing in). We are most comfortable when our hikes are under 6 miles, so at 2.7 miles, we paused to enjoy our traditional mid-hike break (ramen, carrots, PB&J) and returned to the trailhead.

Highlights

Our surroundings were so very green. Clearly there is sufficient sources of water to support lush growth of trees, shrubs, and … flowers. This is such a contrast to New Mexico. Some of the flowers we see in New Mexico, but there were others that were new to us. And even the trees were so healthy, and some unfamiliar to us. Check our Flower Photos below for a sampling of what we have seen.

Statistics

Total Distance:  5.29  miles
Elevation: start  6,563 ft, maximum  7,524 ft,  minimum 6,563 ft
Gross gain: 961 ft.  Aggregate ascending 1,076 ft, descending 1,087 ft
Maximum slope: 30% ascending, 37% descending, 7.2% average
Duration: 5:11

If you haven’t explored these hiking tracks with Google Earth, I urge you to try it. With the virtual 3-dimensional presentation, achieved by panning and tilting the view, you can get a much better idea of the hikes and terrain than you can get from the screenshot above. For some ideas, check out  Using Google Earth Track Files.

Related Posts

References and Resources

USFS: Fishhook Creek Trail
            Alpine Way Trailhead
AllTrails: Fishhook Creek Trail
                  Marshall Lake via Trail 186 and Alpine Way Trail
The Outbound: Hike Fishhook Creek
Hiking Project: Alpine Way Trail
Idaho Campground Review: Hiking to Marshall Lake from Redfish Trailhead
High-Powered Planet: Alpine Way Trail

Georges's Photos (with captions): Click on a photo for gallery view.

Georges's Flowers: Click on a photo for gallery view.