Jim and Shannon (and Keoki of course!) decided to meet up with us for the weekend on their way to Oregon. We all met on the shores of Red Fish Lake, where we packed up and took the 4 mile boat ride across to start our hike. We hit the trail around 8pm, and the cooler temperatures were nice. After about 2.5 miles it started to get dark, so we found a good spot to camp near a large boulder.

Shannon and Keoki on the boat ride across the lake.

Some of the peaks surrounding our camp.

The morning was beautiful and revealed the valley we were camped in was surrounded by massive, jagged peaks. So much rock in every direction! Our objective for the day, the Super Slab, is an 800′ slab of rock, and was only a short walk from our camp. After a mellow breakfast, we made our way to the base and started climbing. The sun was hot, and the climb was in the direct sun. As I belayed the others up, a breeze started and I hoped it would continue or we were going to roast.

The Super Slab.

I got lost on the next pitch and found myself going the wrong way up a corner that had no protection. After evaluating some options and wishing for a cloud to appear so my feet would cool off, I decided to down climb 50 feet back to my last piece and try another way. Back on route, the climbing was fun, and not difficult, but the protection remained sparse. The hot sun wasn’t helping either, and at the next belay we all contemplated going down, as the pitch above us looked pretty crappy.

Jim and Shannon on the second to last pitch.

After some deliberation, we decided to continue on with our adventure, and I led one of the crappier sections of rock in my life: loose and vegetated, at least I was able to find some pro. After Another big run out, I had to hide in a corner half way up to take my shoes off, as my feet were on fire. Once they cooled some, I put them back on and finished the pitch at a nice ledge with some trees and shade.

Belaying near the top of the Super Slab.

The last pitch went smooth and soon we were on top. Some clouds had rolled in for the last two pitches, but we were all super thirsty from the hot sun. After snapping some photos, we agreed it was a good adventure, despite the lackluster (and downright scary in places) climbing. A nice trail led back to the base and Keoki, who had waited at the bottom for us. We trudged back to camp and drank our fill of the water we had stashed in the morning.

The Grand Mogul and Red Fish Lake.

Jim and Shannon on top of Super Slab.

BJ and Tracy on top, with the Elephants Perch in the background.

We had talked about going for a hike in the afternoon, but we were all so drained we decided to just relax by the creek. Jim tried out the natural water slide and found it quite hard to stop on the slick granite slab. The water was cold and refreshing, and felt great in the afternoon sun.

Eating some dinner and refueling.

After our creek session we cooked up some pasta for dinner and called it a night as we were getting up early the next day to hike back down to the lake and hopefully climb a peak that rises out of the water.

Tracy trying to keep the mosquitoes at bay. She hates them.

The hike out in the morning was nice and went pretty quick. We didn’t have a guidebook for the peak we wanted to climb, but we could see it easily enough and figured the trail would be obvious. We ditched our heavy packs at the boat pick up and continued around the lake, looking for a spur trail that never materialized. We couldn’t figure out how we missed it, and later found out the trail goes the long way around and takes 7.5 miles to reach the summit. For a peak that sits right next to the lake. Whoever designed that trail should be fired.

Looking back at the Grand Mogul and the valley we camped in.

We still had a nice jaunt on the shores of the lake and made it back across the lake pretty early, so we had time to stop in Stanley for lunch, and at the Pine Flat hot springs on the way home. These hot spring cascade off a thirty foot cliff into a pool right on the shores of the South Fork of the Payette River. The cliffs that the water streams down are covered in orange algae that only grows in hot water. It makes for a beautiful scene along the river.

When we’d had enough, we continued back to Boise and ended a great weekend in the Sawtooths!

The Elephant’s Perch. Next time…

A little hazy, the view from Stanley.

Spud doesn’t want to leave!

A cool coffe shop we stopped at in a random small town along the way.

It was great sharing the beauty with Spud(and Beej). There is a stretch that starts from Stites Id, and ends just before Lolo pass that is 75 miles of un-habited terrain. No power lines, houses, or cars. Just the river, trees and mountains. It’s breath-taking.

BJ: When we finally rolled into Missoula, we needed to get some grub before heading to Plains, which was still an hour away. We stumbled upon Taco del Sol, which turned out to be an awesome local food joint, with a friendly and funny staff, and good food at a great price. From there we finally rolled into Amy’s parents beautiful property around 10:30pm. Good thing the sun stays up late in these Northern parts.

We had some time to kill before the wedding on Saturday, so we tool a trip to Flathead Lake. It was beautiful, with big peaks rising out of a blue, blue lake. This was my first trip to Montana and the scenery blew me away.

Flathead Lake

The wedding ceremony was great, and took place in a beautiful meadow behind the house. Each set of parents (who were stilled married, how novel!) gave some advice to the new couple and then they were married! The party was super fun, with a great local bluegrass band rocking us into the wee hours.

We did it!

Congrats you guys!

Tracy: On our return voyage, we stopped in Hamilton Mt. I’ve never been to Hamilton before, but my friend John Lavey gave us both a reason to stop. I’ve known John since I was seventeen. He was the first person that I had ever taught climbing to. The YMCA 1997, after two-months John was out climbing me, and in six months he was teaching the class. We became roommates sometime after and in college he fed us all well, with Chili and misc. delicious treats. John’s a great dude, and if you happen to pass by Hamilton, you should knock down the doors of City Hall and say hello.

John and Tracy in Blodgett Canyon.

BJ: John took us on a hike up Blodget Canyon (holy rock, Batman! And no one climbing? I think I have found the promised land!) It was nice to get some exercise in, I’ve been feeling lame with all my working and no playing during the week recently. It was nice to get out and reconnect with the natural world, feel the sun on my face and smell the fresh air.

After a quick beer at the brewery, we continued south back to Boise. We drove through Salmon (my dear lord, more rock than you can shake a stick at!) and then to Stanley, home of the Sawtooth Mountains. Stanley is beautiful, it sits in a large open plain below peaks that match the Tetons in terms of jagged splendor. After a quick bite we continued the drive home, stopping at some hot springs along the way. For those who have never been to a hot spring in Idaho, you are truly missing out. Unlike the over commercialized springs we are used to in Colorado, these are often hot, flowing creeks that cascade in pools. It’s truly awesome to sit beneath a stream of steaming hot water next to a river.

Stanley and the Sawtooths.

It was a great trip, with a lot of driving, but I got to see a lot of Idaho in the big circle we made around the state. We’re off to the Sawtooths this weekend to meet up with Jim and Shannon, and hopefully do some climbing as my tweaked tendon is on the mend.

See you next week!

Spud, is this where you came from?

JC! Great to see you man, lets do some climbing in the fall!

Back in Idaho!