Topic: Need camping help...can you help me?

[ScotchBoy]

Well I've been planning a camping/hiking trip with a friend of mine or about a month, we've been planning on hitting Hells Canyon, camping at Black Lake and hiking into Emerald Lake or Six Lakes Basin.  Just found out, low and behold the snow pack is still low enough that those areas are closed.    So, I'm looking or alternatives.  Hopefully within about two-three hours drive from Boise (negotiable), without a shitload of people around, good areas for camping, walking trails and hiking, and close to a nice body of water (thats asking a lot, I know).

I know theres always a ton of people around Riggins fishing, but outside of there and Lowman I'm not familiar with a lot of other areas that have everything I'm looking for (or most everything).  Anyone care to let me in on their little camping-haven secrets?  Please?  Oh, by the way, I'm going this weekend.

[JollyRoger]

Hmmmm...you could always go around Idaho City area up where they have the yurts.  Lots of pretty country to hike and camp in there, and it's close.  Also near the yurts is nearly always a spring or full on creek to get water from.  It's a bit more traveled around some yurts, but you can definitely get away from the beaten path.

Up around McCall is my backpacking stomping ground...not sure if they still have snow up there though.  Might be worth a call to the COC in McCall.  If they say where the snow's at I might have some other suggestions on places to go besides Idaho City.

Good luck, and take pics!!

[Jeff]

I've hunted back behind Atlanta.  There's a trail head that goes back into the Sawtooths.  That always looked good to me but I've never been there except hunting.  The drive back over the pass is nice.  I don't now if it's open yet but I would think so.  I can find it on a map if you're interested.

[ScotchBoy]

I've hunted back behind Atlanta.  There's a trail head that goes back into the Sawtooths.  That always looked good to me but I've never been there except hunting.  The drive back over the pass is nice.  I don't now if it's open yet but I would think so.  I can find it on a map if you're interested.

I am interested Jeff, thanks.

[NGO]

Trinty mountian and the lakes in the back country might be open. Everyone camps at the easy road access lakes but not everyone hikes back to the other seven lakes.

[fj40mojo]

Trinty mountian and the lakes in the back country might be open. Everyone camps at the easy road access lakes but not everyone hikes back to the other seven lakes.

I'll 2nd the Trinities.  I've made it in there this time of year, but we did have a good snow pack last year.  may still be some drifts in the shady areas and north slopes, but that is half the adventure right!

[ScotchBoy]

I think I'm gonna hit the Rapid River trailhead.  Hopefully theres not a ton of people there. 

[Kcboats]

Can never remember the name of the lake, but it is where the old B-52 crashed enroute to Mountain Home and they just left the plane there.  Two ways in, one is a day hike other is overnighter.  Up near Cascade.  You can stop at the Forest Service station in Cascade (North end of town) and they can provide you a really good map with information about closures, snow, and less traveled paths.  Tackle Toms in Cascade is also a good place to stop and ask for out of the way areas, Tom M. is pretty cool and has done some travel to out of the way areas. 

[Kcboats]

Oh also, you can always go south towards Jordan Valley and check out the Coffee Pot in the Jordan Craters area, Three Forks area, Antelope Resivor, all in JV area.  Or drive into JV, take a left on Yturri Blvd and go east along Oregon/Idaho border... some neat areas out there, canyons, rivers, mountains... really kind of surprising area.  Oh, Three Forks also has pretty cool hot springs along the river, kind of hard to find but built in the lava rock... pretty neat.   Best part, no snow!

[Nomad]

 Silver City area, Council area, fairfield area, just head in almost any direction.
 Buhl area great fishing, Idaho has a great deal to offer to anyone willing to look....

[ScotchBoy]

Rapid River trail was AWESOME.  Pics to follow soon, as well as my how-to video on cooking/eating rattlesnake. 

[ScotchBoy]

Bump for a few pics...I fear summer may soon be over!


Pretty sweet cliff on the other side of the river



My buddy Jerome checking out the river

Our trail to the north fork

Sucka tried to sneak up on me...my .38 snakeshot took care of it



Dessert!

Yummy

Dinner





Jerome's XD

The campsite

[Jeff]

Looks like you had a great time.  So, how was the rattlesnake? 

[ScotchBoy]

Looks like you had a great time.  So, how was the rattlesnake? 

Tastes like chicken.  Lean, lean chicken.  There wasn't a ton of meat on it once we cooked it.