Hey everyone,

I don't think this topic has been discussed much, but what are your favorite hikes in the Idaho Backcountry?

We are planning an early trip to JC over Memorial Day. I know that any hikes in the higher country will still have snow, but list them anyway for reference for others.

Anyone that has been to Riordan Lake, how long of a hike is it? Anyone been to Logan Lake by Big Creek?

My hiking experience in the area is limited to:

- Sun Flower Hot Springs at Thomas Creek
- the tub at JC
- down to the river at Moose Creek

This is an adults only trip, so we are looking for some good hikes. Thanks!

Consider the trail at the end of Cabin Creek airstrip into Cave Creek, very remote and little used; Chamberlain to Flossie Lake is another early one; Shearer up the Selway River is very pretty; Moose Creek to the Junction of North Moose Creek/ East Fork of Moose to the old airfield/lodge is a nice 5 miler and from there you can choose either direction and go for miles.

PM me if you need more details.

This is a great topic! The treasure of the Idaho backcountry airstrips is only surpassed by what you find when you leave them behind on foot.

- I've never been to Riordan creek.

- Logan Lake is a pretty short little trip to a nice moose-y pond. I haven't been there in 35 years though.

Memorial weekend is a bit of a weather gamble. I'd say around half of the years over time have been pretty rainy to some degree.

The hiking might be pretty snowy or spotty above 5k'. So, keeping low:

The Gorge below Soldier bar is interesting. There are teepee rings all over near the strip, petrographs on both sides of the creek down to the confluence, and some other writings pointing out the local ranches dating back to the depression. Items from the Army have been found in the area. The hike up to Dave Lewis is a great one but a bit of a slog until the end of July. You can also hike the few miles up to Taylor Ranch, a U of I field research station.

Vines is a good way to access fishing, although that will be spotty this early except nymphing for whitefish.

Cabin Creek has nice scenery up Big Creek too. It is also a good spot in case the weather comes down because of the route down to the main fork of the Salmon often stays open.

Bernard can be nice that time of year.

Up north, Shearer makes for a nice spot early in the year. The hikes down along the river to Moose or up the canyon are nice. Cayuse Creek is great too...Kelly Creek is pretty special scenery-wise, and incredible for fishing. It does get the weather if there is any in the area...including fog that can sit on top of you while you hear planes fly right over you.

Down south, the Middle Fork of Indian Creek is a nice stroll (west of the strip).

A few weeks later opens up most of the plateaus and higher strips to see some really epic, special territory. But for being on the shoulder season in May, there are still a lot of options for getting into the sticks. I don't go until the later part of June for that reason, but have had many one to three week circuits for work and play over the years in the high country.

It's not in Idaho, but you can see it! The hike to the hat point lookout tower at Memaloose is a great hike with a lot of good views. Just head north up the canyon rim from the east end of the airstrip.

Fish Lake, ID, but not before the middle of July, because of snowpack and soggy strip. Up to the saddle about 1 1/2 hrs each way, or you could just take the easy hike around the left side of the lake and a closer to the lake viewpoint.

Sometimes, we see moose and the year we heard the wolves, there was not a moose to be seen the following year.





Love the scenery, but not the horseflies!! And be prepared for frost on the plane, 5,646' and do not bring air mattresses, thermal self inflaters keep the cold away from you!! We were the only ones in our group that had a nice night sleep!!

John & Lora Lee

I have heard the hike from Mile High to Cabin Creek is a challenge.

Hoodoo Lake Campground to Big Sand Lake. Nice walk. Lots of cutthroat and moose. White sand beaches. No people.

375handh wrote:Hoodoo Lake Campground to Big Sand Lake. Nice walk. Lots of cutthroat and moose. White sand beaches. No people.

Big Sand Lake is a special place, like so many other areas up that high. There may be at least 3' of snow come Memorial day there. Ive been in there in early June with no ground exposed at all yet. In season, a person doesn't need to pack in dinner up there.

I think I will be at JC over memorial day weekend. I will show you a nice evening hike. A trail from my tent to the shower

Tim

Great guys! Keep them coming.

Yeah I know May can be iffy, but it was the only time to do this trip with my sister in law. I'll be back in June too.

A lot of good suggestions here, but I think many of them are too high for that time of year.

There's some awesome hiking around Moose Creek and Shearer, as mentioned. For a shorter hike, the upstream hot springs at Thomas Creek are pretty sweet.

Here's a good book on the trails in the Frank Church. There are hundreds of miles of trail to explore!

http://www.amazon.com/Trails-Frank-Church-Return-Wilderness/dp/0966423321

robw56 wrote:It's not in Idaho, but you can see it! The hike to the hat point lookout tower at Memaloose is a great hike with a lot of good views. Just head north up the canyon rim from the east end of the airstrip.

I've wanted to check this strip out. Good idea.

John, I'll be talking to you later this year. I really want to get in and check out Fish Lake. Love the pics.

Good suggestions! Thanks!

Hike upstream from Lower Loon to the old Falconberry Ranch. Spend the night camped out on the old tennis court (visible on Google Earth). Do some fly fishing in the deep pools where the stream meanders through the meadow. Walk the length of the old airstrip and dream about landing there. Kick through the rubble of the cabins that burned down, and wonder what they would have been like. Then soak in the hot springs after the hike back to the airstrip.

It's a long hike. I promise you'll be the only ones there.

DEGJR

that would be a fun one corey...my dads old place...in your bird u might go in from upper loon though...less u r almost empty.used to be a main cabin, with several guest cabins, and yes, tennis courts...! seems some careless horsemen left their fire going and rode away and trashed the whole canyon and all the buildings..damnitall! 2003 i believe...

the hike is shorter from lower loon, and your 205 is way capable with u at the controls, just not much margin for error goin' out...i think 800' usable. nice people at lower doing food and such, just let em know u r coming...would be a fun one during the fly-in...

Hey corey, noticed u said u might go to J.C. on memorial wk end, might be in there sat nite and sun myself...hope to see u there...gotta be back sun eve for a dual-sport m/c ride out of our home town. if the wx goes down, a group of us are gonna ride I.F. to J.C on our bikes...what the heck?!

Awesome Jo! It would be great to see you. Lower a loon is on my list and I know it will do it if I'm light. But, for this trip I'll be too heavy for it. I didn't know that was your dad's old place. Man, I bet you wish it was still in the family! Sure wish the state could work a deal with the owners to get it up and open again. Sounds like a great hike...but longer than we will be looking to do this trip.

Hope to see you at JC! We will be there the 23-25th wx allowing.

Sorry for bumping an old thread, but I've been day dreaming about hiking into Falconberry Lake. Has anyone here hiked back in/up there? It looks like it might almost be easier to drive to the trail head near Sleeping Deer mountain and hike the ridge in. IDFG stocked it with cutthroats last summer for the first time in 19 years... If I go, I'll be sure to post a trip report.

Rob

Wow! Totally forgot about this thread. I posted the same question on the Idaho Backcountry fb page last week. Then went up and spent the last three days and did a great hike to Shissler Peak fire lookout tower north of Moose Creek. 10 miles and 3500’ of vertical.

In researching hikes, I mapped out a lot of towers to hike to, but most are in the 10-20 mile range. I’m still on the hunt for more great hikes, so please share if you find any!

Grassstrippilot wrote:Wow! Totally forgot about this thread. I posted the same question on the Idaho Backcountry fb page last week. Then went up and spent the last three days and did a great hike to Shissler Peak fire lookout tower north of Moose Creek. 10 miles and 3500’ of vertical.

In researching hikes, I mapped out a lot of towers to hike to, but most are in the 10-20 mile range. I’m still on the hunt for more great hikes, so please share if you find any!

That is a great hike. Really nice views up top and the lookout tower is very cool. Well worth the climb!

Joe

Lower loon- go up Loon Creek Canyon past the hot spring. Gorgeous river views. Bighorn Sheep etc.
Mahoney Creek- Hike upstream for 45 minutes to view the Indian Pictographs. Hike downstream for 45 minutes to see the Indian Rock Hunting blind.
Thomas Creek- Hike upstream to the bridge at Marble. . Nice river trail views
Cabin Creek- Hike down to Big Creek then upstream to the cave