Tags
I left early Friday morning to capitalize on the last weekday of my stay in McCall. I hoped to see wildlife, but all I saw were tracks and scat. This time of year most of the wildlife is in town, grazing on sweet grass and apples, and avoiding the onslaught of camo-clad hunters.
My destination was a mere two-mile hike with a 700-foot elevation gain to a lake I’d visited before with a friend.
This time, being alone but for my camera, I strayed off trail to practice photographing moving water. I ended up losing the trail below the lake and had to boulder and bush wack to the source of the waterfall.The morning was yet young. I hadn’t seen a soul. In the shelter of Boulder Lake’s boulders, I ate my apple and relished the view.
In the summer when it is full, Boulder Lake has a waist where the lake forms a butterfly shape. This time of the year, the water is so low that the waist actually bisects the lake.
Buckhorn Peak in the distance and a lovely forest trail beckoned. The trail continues on to several other lakes. When the trail split, I chose Summit Lake just one mile further on.

From above Boulder Lake the waist now bisects the lake. The brown haze is courtesy of the still smoldering Tepee Springs forest fire.
The trail crosses a high meadow and skirts the ankles of Buckhorn Peak. I was beginning to question my sanity as I trudged on in search of the lake, which finally popped into view between a screen of pine trees.Here I ate a small candy bar and drank stingily from what remained in my half-liter water bottle. I did have a steri-pen in my pack, as well as an old-as-the-mountain protein bar. But I wanted to make it back to the car with just what I had brought with me for the day. It’s a pride thing. Go figure.
Thinking about the downhill return made me euphoric. Later I would discover that I had climbed about 1500 feet in four miles. All would have been wonderful if I hadn’t lost the trail below Boulder Lake.
This has happened before and I grumbled with myself. As if the bush wacking in the morning hadn’t been enough, now I was climbing up and over SUV-sized boulders with rickety rocks in between. The lowering sun was still strong and slanting into my eyes and burning my lips. My tired legs and feet were less reliable than they had been on the way up. Throughout my trip I had been blessed with wondrous solitude. About now, though, I would have been happy to hear voices and footsteps guiding me toward the trail that I knew was . . . somewhere.
After climbing high and low over the boulders, and finding nothing but thick brush and brambles, I had a little talk with myself, checked the map again, and decided to lose elevation sooner rather than later. I bouldered down toward the waterfall below the lake. And then the miracle happened! The barest outlines of a trail! Blast marks on a rock verified that, indeed, I was at last on the trail. It was now downhill all the way. My own private Idaho!
Losing the trail can be scary. Finding it again is exhilarating. Beautiful scenery. Love the Grouse.
LikeLike
Sounds like you’ve been there, Keith! It’s particularly unnerving when it happens late in the day. Which, I suppose, is when it most often happens.
LikeLike
Agreed. Yes, I have had the pleasure of being lost. The problem of being off trail is the risk of spraining an ankle or falling and thinking no one will find you.
LikeLike
Yes, and being solo increases the chances of not being found. Each boulder I scrambled over brought the film 24 Hours to mind. I could just see a cavalcade of rocks giving way and trapping part of me or all of me beneath or between them. I was very mad at myself for exposing myself so foolishly. I know better.
LikeLike
That feeling of being lost, tired and alone can very quickly turn to panic. I’ve BEEN THERE!! Glad you found your way.
LikeLike
I’m glad I pulled it together before I panicked or one of those boulders bowled me over. I was having bloody and cold premonitions.
LikeLike
You’re very brave, Linda, to go on a venture like this solo. I am glad you made it back all right, and thanks for sharing all these beautiful pictures. 🙂
LikeLike
Well, I believe some people would say I’m not brave but foolish, Auntyuta, so thanks for being generous! I’m glad to be back too.
LikeLike
A nice trip. Losing the the trail isn’t fun. I’m glad you found your way back and brought us your impressions and photos. 😉
LikeLike
Me too! I was pretty mad at myself, but I guess my stupidity provided a more interesting story.
LikeLike
Yikes! I think I would have panicked, Linda. I’ve been “lost” in the woods on the trail at the end of the day WITH Bill and was nervous. You got your rock scrambling in! Beautiful photos, especially Boulder Mountain standing guard at the lake.
LikeLike
Thanks, Geralyn. I got lucky once again. How long will my karma last? I need to get smarter earlier! 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
SUPER post! Thanks for sharing your beautiful hike… images and commentary!
LikeLike
Thank YOU Denise, for taking the time to stop by and take a peek.
LikeLike