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Post by Deleted on Apr 21, 2016 4:07:16 GMT -8
my buds and I were turned down by GNP for a trip in late August/Early Sept..........no reason and no suggestions for other areas of the park....so we are bummed out on it...........but really sort of expected it.....love that park...but not sure if backcountry trips there will be in our future.....dayhikes for sure........question.....
we are still going to make the flight and trip happen in the same time slot.....does anybody on here have experience or history in the Frank Church River Of No Return Wildneress??? everything screams its a great place and with no hassle on permits...(that we can see)....
thanks for any help with this and good luck to all who are planning any backcountry trips into GNP.....we will envy you
Johnny
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Post by Deleted on Apr 21, 2016 6:19:02 GMT -8
Frank Church River of No Return.
Out of the Big Creek area (see the Idano Idaho thread for the aviation cam view) has several good/great backpacking trips. My wife and I, this summer, are doing the Chamberlain Basin Loop; a 50ish mile loop backpack.
There is Backpacking along the Selway River. Its an out, 50 miles, and back, 50 miles trip with fishing.
There is White Cap Creek backpack of 55 miles out.
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Post by llamero on Apr 21, 2016 6:34:20 GMT -8
Only from what I've read and the reconnaissance trip I took a couple of years ago to Yellowjacket Lake and Bighorn Crags trailhead. About 40 miles of pretty good gravel road and 15 more that get progressively worse until you get to the trailhead and campground, and that is probably the quick way in. I'm sure it is a beautiful hike, there are many lakes on different lollipop routes. I think the trailhead sits at 8500 feet. Be sure to check in with the nearest ranger station while making plans and again before you begin the long drive off the pavement. I spoke with the rangers in Challis. The wilderness map is in North and South sections, but the scale is too small and the map too large to be useful on the trail, for my liking. I don't remember which section you need for the Bighorn Crags.
The Sawtooths offer much easier access off the highways. A popular beginning is Redfish Lake and the boat shuttle that saves you about 5 miles of hiking, each way. You won't be disappointed with the scenery.
Enjoy
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Post by Deleted on Apr 21, 2016 7:07:40 GMT -8
thanks so much for the help.......that was quick....we'll sure look at the routes mentioned and do some more digging........we'll also scope out the Sawtooths hiking.........
I am assuming that we will need to go by a ranger station and give them our basic route plans....(we have not come across anything that suggests that there is a formal backcountry request procedure......we hope NOT...)
the Wildnerness route seems like a winner to us.....only did NP's in the past but that's all gotten too complex and iffy for real plans.....
thanks again...
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Post by Deleted on Apr 21, 2016 7:36:49 GMT -8
For Idaho there are many self issue permit stations. Do fill out a self issue permit. The last several years the rangers have been roaming around checking on permits in the wilderness areas.
2 years ago, I warned a couple that the ranger is out and about in the area. I was told 'we dont need no stinking permits.' They cut their trip short after the ranger ticketed them, the fine being 5K bucks.
Most trail heads have self issue stations. We keep a stack of permits in the glove box.
No need to stop by the ranger stations.
The Queens River loop is a favorite of ours. It is a basic 32 mile loop. A stop over to Scenic lake adds 5 miles to the loop. Stopping by Browns lake adds 5ish miles to the loop. A side trip to Lake Everly adds 5ish miles to the loop. There is pleanty of good fishing to be had on the Queens River Loop as well as peak bagging. My suggestion is to do the loop in clock wise direction. Fire cloth or fire pan is required for camp fires.
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Westy
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Post by Westy on Apr 21, 2016 11:29:09 GMT -8
This hike is on my list and preferred over the more popular Grand Sawtooth. My premonition is that this loop has much less use, access is semi-complicated and it's not "iconic" enough for most. Mrjohnnysue, I'd go for Glacier and just show-up to see what you can get on game day. There are a couple of Canadian NP - Waterton Lakes and Kootenay for your back-up plan. |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 21, 2016 12:28:46 GMT -8
thanks guys for the info and suggestions........(especially the part about the 5G tkt !!)......
love a loop and thats about the right length for us.....with several options if we are feeling frisky .
would love to do gnp but a long way to go from S. Alabama and be told sorry at the ranger station........it is the prettiest place on the planet to us......several trips there in the past and I hope some still in front of us...
thanks again...
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Post by Deleted on Apr 21, 2016 12:45:35 GMT -8
This hike is on my list and preferred over the more popular Grand Sawtooth. My premonition is that this loop has much less use, access is semi-complicated and it's not "iconic" enough for most. Hey Westy, You are correct that the Queens River Loop is less used then The Grand Sawtooth. I found the most crowded spot is Browns Lake. We more often defer to Johnson Lake or the small tarns to the East of Johnson Lake for our first stop over. 3 people at Browns is a crowd. We found that at Browns Lake if one goes to the inlet there are no signs of recent use and is a good starting point for doing Browns Peak. Though there are signs that people go to Everly Lake, we have not encountered anyone there in the last 5 years. Plummer is a nice climb to do whiles at Everly Lake. |
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