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| Backpack | 30.66 Miles |
6,637 AEG |
| | Backpack | 30.66 Miles | 2 Days | | |
| 6,637 ft AEG | | | | |
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| no partners | | This backpack took us up to the scenic Kootenai Lakes group. We ended up camping at North Kootenai, which wasn't exactly what we had planned for, but North Kootenai proved to be the most scenic of the group. Unfortunately, we did not learn this until after we carried our big packs to South Kootenai.
The first part of the hike was pretty spectacular with some great creek side hiking along the powerful and scenic Kootenai Creek. Then came a five mile stretch through an old forest fire scar, but recovery was pretty far along and overall we did not find it to be too bad a section of trail. The final climb to the intersection of North and South Kootenai Lakes ended up being a little rough, with some significant deadfall and a little bit of a swampy, overgrown stretch, but it only slowed us a little and did not stop our forward progress completely. Speaking of forward progress, a swift crossing above a 75 or so feet high waterfall nearly turned us around, but after taking turns with the hiking poles and me carrying the dog, we were across pretty easily. After reaching the intersection, we hung our big packs and threw on the slack packs for a quick detour to North Kootenai. We were both very impressed by the lake and its tremendous backdrop consisting of a snowy cirque with several impressive 100 plus feet waterfalls splashing down its steep far shore. It was tough to leave this lake, but from wt.hat we had read South was the most impressive of the group, so we continued on to there with our heavy packs. South Kootenai ended up being a bit of a disappointment. The trail to the lake was badly overgrown and then to add on to the rugged approach we had to navigate a jungle gym like maze of very large downed trees that had come down in a winter blow down. The blow down section had completely obliterated the final section of trail to the lake and really made that final approach to the lake's shore somewhat annoying. Then to add a little injury to insult, we quickly realized that although South Kootenai was scenic, it was nowhere near as scenic as North Kootenai and the amazing site we had just day hiked to earlier in the day. The frustration of the less scenic lake and the nasty trail to get there ruined our mood enough that we just threw the big packs back on and made the decision to head back to North Kootenai.
The hike back went a little quicker and although a minor annoyance we were back to North Kootenai and our premier campsite before we knew it. Carrie and the pup had enough walking for the day so they got settled in at camp, while I continued on for some exploring towards the lake's opposite shore. During my brief little excursion I realized that through some pretty mild scrambling the ridgeline between the upper Middle Fork Lake and North Kootenai could be reached and from there I might have a pretty cool view down into the two middle fork lakes. I had been intrigued about catching a glimpse of the upper lake since we caught some glimpses of a pretty large waterfall pouring into the lake from the trail. I decided to give my theory a try the next morning. Once back at camp, it was more laughs than sorrow about the round about our trials and tribulations earlier in the day. Our extremely scenic setting was just too much to remain even the least bit down about a little unnecessary hiking and some nasty trail.
The next morning, Carrie stayed back with the Chloe and I made my quick off trail excursion to the lake's far ridgeline and it proved to be a great choice. The upper Middle Fork Lake was not very spectacular, but the early morning views from the ridgeline were superb and the waterfalls on the lake's back shore were pretty spectacular. After my little morning scramble, we headed back out the way we came. The hike out went much quicker and the deadfall proved a little less annoying for some reason. We started to see our first people of the backpack as we neared the trailhead. |
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