We have easy walks and hikes, described on my earlier post. These are some of our moderate treks for more ambitious hikers. Thunder Mountain Road/Buck Creek Trail: Climb up the historic Thunder Mountain Road (elevational change from 5,100 to 6,000 feet) to the old Buck Creek Road, winding mostly level through deep timber and across Buck Creek, past ruined prospector cabins and old abandoned digs, then continue on the old road, steeply uphill 1/4 miles to the broad vistas west on the summit of Buck Mountain. Or take a side trail off the Buck Creek Road across lovely rolling mountain meadows to its junction with the Burnt Log Road at the foot of the Summit Ridge. Drop off at the Thunder Mountain Road and pick up at the Buck Creek Road can be provided. (1st photo - Buck Creek Crossing) Profile Lakes (Middle Lake, Crater Lake, Fish Lake, No-Name Lake) from 3/4 mile to 3 miles each way, each lake. Uphill thru meadows and timber with occasional boulder field. Exotic wildflowers in season, finest of fishing opportunities with wonderful mountain vistas. (2nd photo) River of No lReturn Wilderness: Burnt Log Road/Summit Trail to Wilderness boundary at Summit Trail. 3/4 mile steep uphill one way. Outstanding vistas over the Pistol Creek drainages to the Middle Fork Salmon River. Transportation can be provided to trailhead. (3rd photo) Summit Trail to Snowshoe Cabin: 5 miles along gently rolling Summit Ridge (FCRNR western border), plus the climb to the trail described above) Spectacular views of high mountain lakes and vistas of the Wilderness to the Middle Fork and beyond. Endless mountain scapes. Transportation/ferry provided if needed. Rainbow Lake trailhead to Wapiti Meadow Ranch: 10 miles across top of ridge between Johnson Creek and the South Fork Salmon River past Rainbow Lake (all part of the Idaho Centennial Trail), then down east side of ridge to ranch. About 7 miles gently rolling thru timber and meadows with some old burn (wildflower heaven) at 7,500 to 8,000 feet, then downhill on switchbacks to 5,100 feet in 4 miles to Johnson Creek Valley and ranch. Mid-summer habitat for elk, wildflowers galore. Riordan Lake from trailhead on the Johnson Creek Road. Uphill with some level areas on abandoned road (about 1,100 feet in 2.2 miles), then along meandering trail beginning at Hennessey Meadow, thru woodlands and meadows with wildflowers, to the lake, for a total of 6 miles. Round-trip 12 miles. Riordan is the largest mountain lake in the central Idaho backcountry, about 1 miles long and 1/3 mile wide. Frequent sightings of beaver and moose, especially in Hennessty Meadow and at the lake. Good catch and keep fishing. (4th photo)
Posted on: Sat, 09 Aug 2014 16:07:22 +0000
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