Post by trinity on Aug 24, 2022 7:58:37 GMT -8
Most of my plans for this summer have had to be canceled due to a family crisis, but I was able to get a last minute trip planned during the first 2 weeks in August. With no clear plan, I reserved a flight into Salt Lake City, and rented a car, hoping mostly to explore Idaho.
The first thing I did, which was probably my real priority for the trip, was visit Minidoka, the camp where my father and his family were interned during WW2. There is a visitor’s center there now, and a few restored buildings. It was a very powerful and moving experience to visit this desolate place, so far from Seattle where my father had spent his childhood. If you’re ever in the Twin Falls area, this place is well worth the visit.
After Minidoka, I wandered up towards Salmon, car camping along the way. I had hoped perhaps to explore the Frank Church/River of no Return Wilderness, but there was a rather large fire at the time. So I wandered back to the south, car camping for several nights at Meadow Lake, a really spectacular alpine lake, with good fishing for Cutthroat and Rainbow Trout.
Meadow Lake
As beautiful as Idaho was, it seemed rather crowded, and there were not many resources for backpacking, other than the Sawtooths, which are spectacular, but seem to get (relatively speaking) a fair amount of visitors. So, after a few nights at Meadow Lake, I decided to head to my happy place, AKA the Winds.
I was feeling kind of low energy, physically and emotionally, so I was determined to take it easy. Instead of heading out for a long trip, I car camped along the Green River for about 4 nights. It was really nice to just relax around camp, read, think, go on dayhikes, and fish. The river was high and the fishing slow, but I managed a few small browns.
Obligatory Square Top photo
Eventually I decided on a nice easy 4-night itinerary from the Spring Creek Park trailhead. This turned out to be the perfect hike. The elevation gains are fairly gradual, most of my mileage days were low, the trails are beautifully maintained, and the landscape, though far less spectacular than Titcomb, was plenty beautiful. The major factor in this decision, of course, is the low visitation this area receives. On day one I hiked up to Glimpse Lake, I think about 6 miles. A beautiful lake with some nice places to camp.
View of Fremont Lake from the trail
Day 2 was another short one, another 6 miles or so to Borum Lake. Hiked past many lakes along the way, each more beautiful than the last.
Borum is quite beautiful, just below treeline, so fairly open, but with some cover. Fishing for Cutthroats was quite good.
The next day I dayhiked to Summit Lake, and then spent another night at Borum. A very nice, relaxing day.
For my last night, I hiked a very short distance (maybe 3 miles?) to the south, and stayed at Trail Lake. This lake was absolutely gorgeous, with some nice established tent sites. As with almost every other night, I had the lake all to myself.
Final day was a bit longer, but mostly downhill. Detoured over to the Crow’s Nest Lookout, which provided spectacular views of Fremont and Long Lakes.
Overall, a really great trip. Much more laid back than most of my trips, but that was exactly what I needed, and I got to explore a new (to me) part of the Winds. I didn’t experience the kind of epic fishing I have on past trips to the Winds, but it was still quite good. I also saw 2 weasels in one day, which was a real highlight. The road to the Spring Creek Park trailhead is a bit rough, but the low crowds, beautiful scenery, and abundant lakes make this a very rewarding backpacking destination.
The first thing I did, which was probably my real priority for the trip, was visit Minidoka, the camp where my father and his family were interned during WW2. There is a visitor’s center there now, and a few restored buildings. It was a very powerful and moving experience to visit this desolate place, so far from Seattle where my father had spent his childhood. If you’re ever in the Twin Falls area, this place is well worth the visit.
After Minidoka, I wandered up towards Salmon, car camping along the way. I had hoped perhaps to explore the Frank Church/River of no Return Wilderness, but there was a rather large fire at the time. So I wandered back to the south, car camping for several nights at Meadow Lake, a really spectacular alpine lake, with good fishing for Cutthroat and Rainbow Trout.
Meadow Lake
As beautiful as Idaho was, it seemed rather crowded, and there were not many resources for backpacking, other than the Sawtooths, which are spectacular, but seem to get (relatively speaking) a fair amount of visitors. So, after a few nights at Meadow Lake, I decided to head to my happy place, AKA the Winds.
I was feeling kind of low energy, physically and emotionally, so I was determined to take it easy. Instead of heading out for a long trip, I car camped along the Green River for about 4 nights. It was really nice to just relax around camp, read, think, go on dayhikes, and fish. The river was high and the fishing slow, but I managed a few small browns.
Obligatory Square Top photo
Eventually I decided on a nice easy 4-night itinerary from the Spring Creek Park trailhead. This turned out to be the perfect hike. The elevation gains are fairly gradual, most of my mileage days were low, the trails are beautifully maintained, and the landscape, though far less spectacular than Titcomb, was plenty beautiful. The major factor in this decision, of course, is the low visitation this area receives. On day one I hiked up to Glimpse Lake, I think about 6 miles. A beautiful lake with some nice places to camp.
View of Fremont Lake from the trail
Day 2 was another short one, another 6 miles or so to Borum Lake. Hiked past many lakes along the way, each more beautiful than the last.
Borum is quite beautiful, just below treeline, so fairly open, but with some cover. Fishing for Cutthroats was quite good.
The next day I dayhiked to Summit Lake, and then spent another night at Borum. A very nice, relaxing day.
For my last night, I hiked a very short distance (maybe 3 miles?) to the south, and stayed at Trail Lake. This lake was absolutely gorgeous, with some nice established tent sites. As with almost every other night, I had the lake all to myself.
Final day was a bit longer, but mostly downhill. Detoured over to the Crow’s Nest Lookout, which provided spectacular views of Fremont and Long Lakes.
Overall, a really great trip. Much more laid back than most of my trips, but that was exactly what I needed, and I got to explore a new (to me) part of the Winds. I didn’t experience the kind of epic fishing I have on past trips to the Winds, but it was still quite good. I also saw 2 weasels in one day, which was a real highlight. The road to the Spring Creek Park trailhead is a bit rough, but the low crowds, beautiful scenery, and abundant lakes make this a very rewarding backpacking destination.
