KETCHUM, IDAHO
When just *getting to* the trailhead is this adventurous, you know the trail itself is going to be epic!
Today was my last day in the lovely state of Idaho and I chose Kane Lake Trail because it's a longer hike (about 8 miles) and looks gorgeous.
Located in the Salmon-Challis National Forest, northeast of where I was staying in Ketchum, Kane Lake Trail is a quick 6 hour and 46 minute drive away. And has me walking the final 11 miles to the trailhead.
Wait, what did you just say, Apple? That can't be right! I tried it again. Same thing. I tried Google Maps which normally doesn't play well with the AllTrails app - 56 minutes. Much better. Google, you've been promoted.
The map situation should have been my first clue that the drive itself would be a bit of an adventure! Here's some dashboard footage of the drive in and the drive out, which does not at all capture how rugged that final stretch of road is, but DOES capture just how pretty the drive is.
The final five miles of the road wound their way through pine trees alongside Kane Creek. The road consisted of packed down tire tracks on jagged rocks, with minimal to no space to pass an oncoming car.
Some parts of the road had a sharp drop on one side and was straight up on the other. One short area of the road itself was at a sharp angle, where one side of the car is significantly higher than the other, to the point you had to shift in your seat and hold your breath to get past it.
My average speed was somewhere between 5 and 10 mph. I think I hit 14 mph once or twice. Definitely came to full stops more than once to get the angle right and to proceed as slowly as possible.
One part of the road was under water, which is basically an IQ test for whether you're dumb enough to drive through it (I was) and lucky enough to not get stuck (I was). I did check it out first though -- the water wasn't more than a foot deep and the creek bed was covered in stones, not mud/dirt. So at least it was an informed dumb decision.
Other parts of the road had deep ruts with sharp drop-offs from where previous adventurers had driven through mud. I've seen enough signs warning that "roads are impassible when wet" to know you don't dare risk it unless you're willing to hike back to town. And of course, it started to rain while I was on this road, which my weather app said would definitely not happen.
The final half mile or so of the road was covered in rocks, about the size of grapefruits / softballs / volleyballs ... but with ragged, jagged edges. I prayed they wouldn't puncture my tires and then realized I have no idea if this car comes with a spare or not. (Sorry, Dad, I know I'm supposed to check that out *before* I need it.)
At this point I literally said out loud to myself, "I have absolutely zero business being out here." If I got stuck or got a flat, it was going to be a long walk back to any road where I might be able to hitch a ride into town.
And then, I came around the final curve and there was the parking lot .... with a half dozen vehicles in the lot. I literally laughed out loud. Whew! I wasn't the ONLY crazy person! And fortunately these were all trucks and 4WD high-clearance vehicles that could tow me out in a pinch. I just had to make sure I wasn't the last one to leave the lot. :)
The Hike
Even though getting to the trailhead is difficult, the trail itself was well-marked and easy to follow. Here's the trailhead:
The trail starts out fairly flat, weaving through a forest of pine trees, with the lovely sound of water accompanying me along the way from a nearby creek.
Then, the trail clears the tree line and turns into a rock-strewn mountain side.
In three months of hiking, I can count on one hand the number of times I didn't have pristine blue skies. Today was one of those days. I caught a few raindrops on the drive in, but fortunately, no rain while I was actually hiking. Just moody gray skies and a chilling breeze that somehow got through my coat.
Sometimes the trail was quite evident, like in the picture above. Sometimes less so, like in the picture below. And those mountains in the background - how pretty are they? I was hoping so much the clouds would break while I was there!
Another shot of the exposed trail through a hillside of rocks. Randomly, I was surprised at how even in a place like this, an obvious path could be trampled into large rocks. And also ... look! Blue sky is peaking out. Unfortunately the cloud break is to the north and I am going south - nothing but bleak sky ahead of me.
Here I am, just one rock scramble away from the lake. I caught a whiff of campfire smoke, so I knew I must be close.
Closer ...
My first glimpse of Kane Lake!
How gorgeous is this? I have to visit Idaho again, just so I can catch this view on a blue sky day.
I kept looking behind me to the north and could see the clouds breaking. I thought, maybe I can wait it out? Lol. Nope. I was too cold to try. It turned out to be a lot colder up there than I expected -- it was 49 when I left the car, so it was probably high 30's, maybe low 40's at this elevation. For sure, it was glove-wearing weather and I didn't bring any. Womp womp.
About the time I got back to the parking lot, the clouds parted and showed off that magnificent blue. I was thrilled to have such a gorgeous view as I drove north on that jagged road. Here's the view:
And another view ...
I did stop once to look back at the peak I had just hiked to. Nope! Still covered in clouds. I am sooo glad I didn't wait - I'd have been a popsicle by now.
Total miles = 7.38 (I think it was closer to 8, but I accidentally stopped my apple watch for a short time near the top)
Total elevation gain = 1,715'
Peak elevation = 9,243' ... a new record!