July 17 - Alpine Creek and Little Redfish Lake

We take the morning to hike up the Alpine Creek Canyon from the inlet of Alturas Lake.  The wildflowers are all out in bloom, and we want to just keep walking and walking.  The snow capped peaks of the Sawtooth wilderness beckon us onward around each bend and rise in the trail, and the songbirds flitting in and out of the willows along the concealed bank of the babbling stream keep a running soundtrack.  Once more we debate our long term agenda which is keeping us pushing each day, and consider an alternative plan which would permit us a longer stay here in what is actually the very beginning of our journey.  But then, how do we draw the line?  I believe we could spend the whole of summer here in the Sawtooth and not have exhausted the recreational opportunities.  In the end, while snacking at the edge of an alpine meadow, with scree slope above leading to the jagged peaks, and river below, we agree to turn around and head back to the car and be on our way.

We've decided to make a provisioning stop in Stanley and are surprised by the level of activity in this sleepy primarily unpaved berg.  There is a huge arts and crafts show going on, with live music.  It seems to have drawn folks in from all over, many with camping rigs.  Seeing as we have not a single nook to store any additional materials I forgo the fair and settle for the picnic table outside the quaint clapboard style public library where the wi-fi signal is conveniently available for free.   Diane heads off for provisions and the fair, and I work on posting a few articles to the blog and catching up on e-mail.  The town's main road is paved but the other side streets are all dirt or gravel. There is a wholesome bakery serving full meals with a full bulletin board of local events. There is an arts guild building, and of course the library as I already mentioned.  Next time through here I'll definitely plan on a day at the fair(Mountain Mama Festival), with camping nearby. Diane notes the espresso almond fudge ice cream was especilly good.  For planning purposes, consider the 2nd weekend of July for a stop in Stanley.

We push on, following the Salmon river as it flows north on its way to the Columbia.  The road and river share a Valley bottom not always much bigger than the two combined, but in other places it broadens to encompass  a well kept ranch or farm.  Multi-colored rafters and kayakers can be seen bobbing in the current occasionally as we round bends in the road which open up a longer view of the fast moving waterway. Its astoundingly beautiful here and well worth a whole vacation to this one destination.

At dinnertime, we select a small pull-out BLM campsite at Shoup Bridge, ID adjacent to the Salmon River.  The flow is high, and our site, not more than 10 feet from the water's edge is protected by a 3 foot berm.  I presume this entire campground was created at this turn of the river by many spring floods, and at some point the berm was erected to preserve the land so often inundated each spring.  

It's hot, hot, hot. I can't believe it.  The air is hot. The wind is hot. The camper is hot and we are weary from travel.  With the awning out, we recline in the shade and try not to move, as the last bit of sunlight blasts our way. We are hoping with its setting the sun will release us from this infernal oven the day has become.  Who would of thought that at 6,000 feet in the Idaho mountains along the shore of fully flowing mountain river that temperatures would be climbing into the 90's.  We sip cold drinks and play the geography/alphabet game, limiting our answers to cold and frozen places in hope that mind over matter will cool our core.  In the end as day turns to night and darkness settles the temperature drops and we fall asleep with no sheets or blankets listening to the sounds of the rushing river and the crickets.

From 2011 Summer Trip

From 2011 Summer Trip

From 2011 Summer Trip

From 2011 Summer Trip