Adventure Travel Photography Blog
After another ridiculously long drive into Ten Lakes Scenic Area (see my previous post Hike to Bluebird Lake for the other long drive), Annie and I set out to hike to Wolverine Lake. The parking area at the dead end is small, and a trailhead may be found on both sides of the road. The trail to Wolverine Lake begins on the north side of the road near the posted information board.
HAPPY HIKING!
For my first hike in Eureka, Montana, I decided on Bluebird Lake via the Highline Trail in the Kootenai National Forest. As with many of the hikes in Idaho that I completed the last few weeks, the 7-mile roundtrip to Bluebird Lake is also a two for one experience, with Paradise Lake being on the way. It’s a good thing, especially since the drive on both paved and rocky roads through the Ten Lakes Scenic Area is very long. At least I spotted a doe with two babies along the way!
HAPPY HIKING!
After my visit to Wallace, which was absolutely amazing, I continued north to Bonners Ferry. Bonners Ferry is about 30 minutes from Sandpoint and 1.5 hours from Coeur d’Alene, both popular Idaho resort towns. It is also rather close to the Canadian border, and sometimes my phone plan thought we were in Canada.
As always, when I visit small towns, my dog Annie and I check out the local trails. Bonners Ferry has many to offer. Below are a few trails in Bonners Ferry we hiked:
HAPPY HIKING!
The City of Wallace is a historic mining town nestled in the Silver Valley. It is engulfed in history and surrounded by the Idaho Panhandle National Forest. As a result, it is a very interesting place to visit and affords visitors many hiking options.
Below are a few hikes near Wallace I found:
HAPPY HIKING!
The last time I visited Stanley, Idaho was eleven years ago. I had hoped to visit last year during my three weeks in Idaho, but I was too early as it was still snowing. Considering I should have named my blog, Chasing 70 Degrees, snow is not in my future if I can help it.
Anyway, I finally arrived and spent several days camping and hiking in Stanley and and caught up with a few relatives.
HAPPY HIKING!
The Fourth of July Lake Trail is located in the Sawtooth National Forest 25 miles southeast of Stanley, Idaho. It is a little bit farther from Stanley as compared to Sawtooth Lake and hikes around Redfish Lake and Stanley Lake.
As a result, I saved if for the end of my visit, especially since it requires driving 10 miles on a dirt road. Upon reaching the road which led into a burned forest, I thought to myself, “what have I done?” Fortunately, the forest along the Fourth of July Lake Trail was mostly spared and only the drive went through charred threes.
HAPPY HIKING!
Sawtooth Lake, located in the Sawtooth National Forest, is the quintessential hike of Stanley, Idaho. It may be reached from three different trailheads: Stanley Lake, Redfish Lake, and Iron Creek.
I believe the shortest hike to Sawtooth Lake is via the Iron Creek Trailhead, and it registers as a moderate ten miler on AllTrails.
The Iron Creek Trailhead dirt parking lot with a pit toilet is small. It can accommodate approximately 30 cars, and by the time I arrived before 7:30 in the morning at least ten cars had beaten me to a space.
Given I hadn’t seen many people get started before 8 to 9am most mornings, I hoped these were backpackers’ cars. Otherwise, Annie and I would be in for a busy trail this Fourth of July.
HAPPY HIKING!
Lander, Wyoming is located near the Wind River Mountain Range. It is only about three hours south of Jackson. While it is well known among climbers, it is yet to be discovered by many. I expect ten years from now, it will be the next Moab and no longer a hidden gem.
During my time in Lander, I took five hikes; two in Sinks Canyon State Park and three in the Shoshone National Forest which borders the state park.
HAPPY HIKING!
If you are following along on my road trip journey, you know that I changed campsites last night from Hugh Otte Camping Area to a more secluded area off of 302. I’m now in a high meadow with a few other big rigs in sight, but not too close. I am parked by Townsend Creek which runs through the willows. I awoke to a foghorn type sound at 5:30am!
I could only liken it to a cow, but upon peering out VANgo’s window, I did not see any animals. On the other hand, Annie was trembling with excitement as she stared outside. Knowing she sees something and I don’t is sometimes disconcerting! I guessed that maybe a moose was tucked in the willows, but by the time I returned in the afternoon, there was a herd of cows lining the Louis Lake Road, so perhaps I heard a “moo” after all!
HAPPY HIKING!
It has been a few months, and I’m back on the road again…this time with an upgraded Hellwig sway bar, Koni shocks, a Maxxair Fan, and a more powerful 300ah battery! VANgo will take us through parts of Wyoming (but not Yellowstone with the floods), northern Idaho and western Montana over a two month period.
My dog Annie and I pulled into Lander, Wyoming Wednesday night and found a camp spot with rock fire ring at Hugh Otte Camping Area in Shoshone National Forest. We got in just before dark and the road was not well maintained, so I took a spot a little more out in the open than I prefer. It was fine for a week day, as there weren’t too many people around.
I moved closer to some trees today, but it is near the circle drive to the pit toilet, so we shall see how many visitors I have at my campsite. Hopefully no one will park in it like they did in Idaho and Colorado! Regardless, after spending much of my last two-month road trip in Florida in parking lots, this free camping area feels like paradise.
The cell service is intermittent at best, but it is only 10 miles outside of town, close to Sinks Canyon State Park, as well as several hiking trails, including the hike to Popo Agie Falls.
HAPPY HIKING!
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