Stanley, Idaho and Two Wilderness Hikes

Sawtooth Lake in the Sawtooth Wilderness near Stanley

Clouds and light rain followed us all the way from McCall to Stanley but the drive was very scenic.  We found a campground near Stanley Lake that was still open and then drove to the ranger station to check on trails and weather conditions.  The ranger told us that the trails were on the muddy side from recent rains and more rain and thunderstorms were on the way.  We were a bit disappointed that we wouldn’t have picture perfect weather, but we’ve never been ones to object to getting a little wet. 

 

Turning aspens near Stanley Lake

 

It was a cool evening so David made some ‘Chili Blanco,’ a delicious white bean, chicken and green chili soup.  Light rain was falling as we went to bed and the next morning dawned with heavily overcast skies but it was not raining.  We decided on a shorter hike in the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness just in case those thunderstorms rolled into the area.

 

Fall grasses along the Marsh Trail, Frank Church Wilderness

 

We hiked the Marsh Trail near Lola Creek into the Frank Church Wilderness.  This area had experienced a fire in 2012 and there were areas with many blackened and downed trees.  But the rivers and the fall grasses in this part of the wilderness were so beautiful.  We thoroughly enjoyed the hike and marveled at how gorgeous everything was even though it had been burned.  I’m not sure if we are becoming more accustomed to seeing the results of fires and have accepted them as the new ‘norm,’ but I do know our thoughts about forest fires have changed.  Once we would not have really wanted to walk through a burned forest or thought it very beautiful.
 

 

 

 

When David and I were young and both visiting our first forests, it was so rare to ever see a burned forest.  Fires were put out as quickly as possible and Smokey the Bear was everywhere admonishing us to do our part to prevent forest fires.  In fact, I can’t remember ever seeing a large forest burn until we visited Yellowstone about 25 years ago.  But with warming weather in the west, recent droughts and changes in forest service fire suppression policies, we have seen the result of all too many fires.  I guess all of us must get use to a new forest now, one with fire.  

 

Maya was the perfect colors for 'camouflage' in the burned forest

After our morning hike in the Frank Church Wilderness we visited Stanley Lake and hiked a few miles on the Stanley Lake Trail in the Sawtooth National Recreation Area.  The clouds hung low and we heard rumbles in the distance, but the rain held off and we managed to finish the day without getting more than a few sprinkles on us.

 

Stanley Lake

The next day we were not quite so lucky.  We hiked in the Sawtooth Wilderness on a 10.5 mile round trip trek to Sawtooth Lake. Again the day started out with thick, heavy clouds.  The first 5 miles were dry but once we reached the lake rain started to fall.  Fortunately, it wasn’t a heavy rain, but it was cold and steady.  We ate our lunch at the lake and then headed back at a fairly brisk pace.  Sawtooth Lake and the lake next to it, Alpine Lake were both impressive and beautiful high mountain lakes.  It was a shame the weather wasn’t better or we would have lingered much longer.

The Sawtooth Mountains on the trail to Sawtooth Lake

 

Our rain gear kept us dry except for our hands.  They were so wet and cold that we almost feared frost bite, but then the rain let up and once we dried off  our hands began to warm.  As we descended from the mountains the rain gradually stopped and the last couple of miles were quite pleasant.  Even so, we were looking forward to warm showers and a hot meal back at the RV.

 

Reflections in Alpine Lake


The weather was supposed to be getting a little better as the week went on and we had been thinking of staying longer.  But we had noticed that our RV refrigerator was not cooling very well.  In fact, the last couple of days the refrigerator was less than ‘rodeo cool’ so we bought a cheap Styrofoam cooler and ice. 

 

Another view of Sawtooth Lake

To make a long story somewhat shorter, we decided to head to Boise since it was fairly close and try to get the refrigerator repaired.  Alas, it proved very frustrating.  I don’t know if hunting season was the reason or what, but every place we called couldn’t work us in for weeks.  We spent the night in Boise and David called all over Idaho, Wyoming and Colorado and nobody had openings for weeks.  Very reluctantly we gave up our plans to go to the Grand Tetons and decided to make an appointment in Colorado for the following week.  We would have time for a few stops and hikes along the way. 
 

Coming down from Sawtooth Lake in the rain and fog

 

White-bark pine, a relative of Bristlecone pine, grows near Sawtooth Lake

 

So even the carefree life can have its frustrations.  To complicate things a little more, my dad had a fall.  Fortunately nothing was broken but he is very sore and banged up.  It is probably best that we are on the way home.  Although our fall isn’t quite turning out as we hoped, we are still having a good time and count ourselves so very fortunate.  There will be more fall leaves to see on the way home, I am sure…

 

Sawtooth Wilderness - 'Before'

 'After' - a little worse for the rain...

 

David's Stats:
Days Hiked   2 
Total Miles Hiked   20.23  
Ave. Miles per Day      10.19
Total Elevation Gain     2,615
Ave. Elevation Gain per day   1,308