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!

Glad you like the hike Cory! When I mentioned it on the FB page I left out the part about how ill prepared I was and how we ran out of water, searched all over for the spring used by the lookout personnel, and ended up filling our water bottles with huckleberries. By the time we made it back to camp I had swore off hiking. The views and the lookout tower are fantastic once you get there.

Did I miss you trip report and pictures?

I did miss it!

Idahomike wrote: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

Great info. Thanks. What’s the cave? Where can you get more info on the pictographs and blind?

Google: sheepeater Indian pictographs Cameron creek. Can’t miss em. Rafters commonly stop there to get out and hike up from the river about 50 yds to see em.

Great. Thanks. The blind sounds cool too. I’ll see what I can dig up on that as well.

Headed out for first trip to JC and hope to be there around 8/28-8/30. Maybe we will run into some of you there.

I’ll be at JC Saturday night the 30th. Yellow and red SQ-2. First beer is on me!

Flew into lower loon a few days ago. Backpacked up 10 miles to the point where you must ford the stream. Water too high. Camped there and had several big horn sheep bed down about 50 yds from us. Great trip. Fishing pretty good. Elk hair caddis did the trick.

Awesome. We are at Smiley Creek now. Planning on the pictographs tomorrow morning!

Maybe I’ll fly over and check it out this morning. Looks nice out.

The lookout tower above the Double Springs strip, on Trail Creek Rd. is worth the effort. http://idahosummits.com/trip_reports/tr ... trip_id=80

As is the lake at the end of the road above the ghost town of Gilmore.

Anywhere in Copper Basin, but watch out for the abandoned mines, unmarked.

The "backside" of Borah.

Sawmill Canyon, north of Howe. Anywhere around Leadore.

None of these are wilderness hikes though, and I didn't hike any of them but used my folding Montague e bike to access them. Still remote and no people, at least very rare to see anyone else. Leadore now has a motel, sort of, and I, as opposed to my usual (over the last 30+ years) one day in and out quickie trips to the area, am contemplating getting decadent and booking a room. 1/4 mile from the Leadore airport (ha ha) bit closer to the cafe/bar, and a general store. I did take a 2 hour hike out of Chamberlain Basin a couple years ago, and have ridden out of Lower Loon (last 4th) but I like the big (biggest in Idaho) ranges to the east of the Frank better, and actually run into fewer people there. I am following this thread closely however, keep them coming.

A few weeks ago we flew into Mahoney and did the hike down to the pictographs. It was a lot of fun and, as a bonus, Idahomike and his wife and dog just happened to be there when we landed. It was so cool to meet them and talk to them. I’m making a video of the trip that I’ll post on my Grassstrippilot Adventures thread. But here are a couple of pics of us on our hike and the pictographs. From the parking area, they are just under 2 miles upstream. It’s an easy hike and well worth it!

Big Creek:

Pictographs along the pack trail on the north side of Big Creek, about straight north of the east end of Soldier Bar. The only problem is crossing Big Creek, before fall, the water can be crotch high and pretty swift. Even in Sept it can be higher than hip boots, and walking sticks are required equipment for us seniors. There is a pack trail along Big Creek from the airstrip at Big Creek to the confluence of the Middle Fork. I know that from Monumental Creek to the Confluence its easy terrain, as it stays mostly along Big Creek. Its about 8 or so miles from Cabin Creek to abeam Soldier Bar, in case you’d want to hike it when the water is high.




Closer View


Granddaughter crossing in July a few years ago at Soldier Bar



Hell's Canyon:

Petrographs are along the river at Cache Creek. Throw some water on them to make them a bit easier to see. From the top of the strip, just walk straight to the river for this rock. Pretty hot down in Hell’s Canyon in the summer, but fine for a winter trip.



About a mile south of Cache Creek are remnants with interesting burned signatures:




There are pack trails on both sides of the river. Big Bar on the Idaho side has this trail going both ways. A bit of a climb to get on the bench, then fairly easy walking. Galen's book has some interesting stories about this area, and accessible from this trail (The wayward cows). The trail, north of Big Bar is slightly visible in the first photo, then from the trail itself. Old abandoned cabin south of Big Bar a little ways, along with pipes left over from the mining days.





The Temperance Creek Ranch is the green area on the top of the photo, with the Big Bar strip just across the river.



A few Idahoans burning some burgers New Year's Day at Big Bar

great info on the soldier bar pictos. Looks like our next hike.

Finally going to hike into Falconberry Lake next weekend! I'll post some pics when I get back, with a trout report as well.

IncipientSpin wrote:Finally going to hike into Falconberry Lake next weekend! I'll post some pics when I get back, with a trout report as well.

Where will you start for the Falconberry Lake hike?

Joe

Yesterday I hiked from Thomas creek to the new strip across the river from Mahoney. It’s called Cougar Ranch and is owned by Idaho fish and game. 13 miles round trip.

The strip paced out at 600 paces, about 1700 feet. Nice and smooth. Unfortunately, the approaches and departures make this a Varsity strip. You are in the bottom of the canyon at a very narrow spot. Taking off downstream (slightly uphill believe it or not) will require you to make some ascending, slow speed, banked turns to follow the river. Taking off upstream just goes counter to usual practice but may be a better option. They have cut down a few large pines on both ends.

Will probably try it when light and in cold temps.

Fish and game has installed two new outhouses and two shade structures.

Idahomike wrote:Yesterday I hiked from Thomas creek to the new strip across the river from Mahoney. It’s called Cougar Ranch and is owned by Idaho fish and game. 13 miles round trip.

The strip paced out at 600 paces, about 1700 feet. Nice and smooth. Unfortunately, the approaches and departures make this a Varsity strip. You are in the bottom of the canyon at a very narrow spot. Taking off downstream (slightly uphill believe it or not) will require you to make some ascending, slow speed, banked turns to follow the river. Taking off upstream just goes counter to usual practice but may be a better option. They have cut down a few large pines on both ends.

Will probably try it when light and in cold temps.

Fish and game has installed two new outhouses and two shade structures.

Sounds like a good way to spend a day, thanks for sharing. Where’s the pics? [emoji16]

Middle Fork Air has been flying in and out of there with loaded 206s. I’d give them a call and get the rundown.

Thx. Called middle fork. Looks like the usual land upstream and take off downstream. Pics coming.

Nice! Thanks for the pirep. Can’t wait to see the pics.