Actually headed up to Hailey ID last night (cuts 4.5 hrs off the drive). Drove thru one fire burnt area (recent this year); the fire retardant streaks the highway in two spots; the northern most protecting a the south end of a town.
But there's still lots of smoke ahead. The fire is in the hills east of Hailey. As I enter the town, I pass one burn area on top of a foothill that was stopped from cresting the top by retardant and then another still burning. Sure hope it stays away from the town!
Today as I leave Hailey, it's a bit cloudy and looking like rain -- hoping it burns off soon. The drive from Hailey to Ketchum was quite busy but once arriving in Ketchum, traffic became very light (just commuter traffic to Ketchum).
The drive to the Sawtooths is wonderful! Lots of big dry grass hills, meadows, ranch land, etc - awesome! Then comes the climb and a curvy road with lots of great (cloudy) views. But once on the other side, there's sun and great craggy mountain peaks.
The only animals I see are cows, except the one deer that was standing right in the middle of the highway and then bounced off into the meadow as I slammed on my brakes.
I do stop at a Mt Goat viewing area. There's those stationary viewfinders (binocs) - one is setup for kids (so it's too low); the other, well I still have to be on my knees to check out the peaks. :) No goats.
My first stop is the Titus Lake trail; an "easy" 3 mile round-tripper. (Lots of Lupine, Yarrow and Buckwheat blooming here.) I park, start and quickly lose the trail due to fallen logs, etc. I try to find it but without success so onward I go. But the views are nice!
My goal today is to hike the Alpine Creek Meadows trail (easy, 6.2 miles RT). I reach my turn and then head towards Alturas Lake. My instructions state that the trail head is at the end of the road. I pass Alturas Lake - actually I make a quick stop for a peek. Beautiful!
And proceed down the road. I reach the end of the pavement with no signs indicating any trail nearby. The gravel road is at first 2 lanes and then goes to one lane. I'm a bit nervous as have no idea how much longer I'll be on this road. On a positive note, I do see a coyote in a meadow as I drive by.
After a little bit, I decide to turn around - guess it pays to do the homework before heading to a trail.
At this point I just want to find a trail so I continue north stopping at Redfish Lake. Bench Lakes is on my list to hike. I stop at the lake now I can finally see the Sawtooth Peaks!!
Unfortunately, there's clouds over these peaks and a 40% chance of rain. So I'll leave this trail for another day.
So onward to the town of Stanley and to Bridal Veil Falls. This is a 7.9 mile trail (350 elevation). Still cloudy with peeks of sun.
Things start off good with this wonderful flower (I think it's a Mariposa Lilty)!!
Lots of them (on most of the trail). Also along the road, butterflies!! Mormon Frits (I think)
and Small Wood Nymphs.
I reach the actual trail which transitions between forests to meadows the entire trail.
Quite a few chipmunks running around. Can't tell if there are two species or just adults vs juveniles as some of large and fat and others smaller and skinny.
Lots of butterflies - Field Crescents, Boisduval's Blue, Lilac Bordered Coppers,
and two species I haven't seen in quite some some: Edith Coppers
and Mariposa Coppers.
At around 2 miles, I reach the uphill portion of the trail.
Here I start seeing California Tortoiseshell flying.
And I can hear the flowing water of the creek below me.
I pass Lady Face falls (I'll get that on the way back) and continue to Bridal Veil. But, soon there's a 40 ft wide creek in my way. :( There's a guy there trying to find a way around because it's 1-2 feet deep and flowing (not swiftly) but still moving. We can't find a way around so he just plows through. But I'm turning around. Maybe I'm playing it to safe but just living for another day.
On the way back, I look for Lady Face Falls. It's a bit hard to find in spot due to fallen trees, rocks, etc but it eventually leads to an edge of a canyon. I can hear the Falls roaring but I have absolutely no view as it's a canyon.
I head up a foot path a little further but still no views. I know there's a way to a view (I've seen photos on the internet) but I'm just not finding it today. Back to the main trail.
There's definitely more sunshine on the way back and even more butterflies. While still heading downhill thru the woods, I see another CA Tortoiseshell, a Milbert's Tortoiseshell and a flash of a Green Hairsteak -- not sure of the species but it's a green hairstreak.
Back in the meadows, many more butterflies out flying. Including a few new ones for the day including a Pale Crescent, Clouded Sulphur and a Pacific Fritillary.
I didn't know they flew in Idaho!! (I've only see them once and that was in the Redwoods of California.)
Before I get to my car, I find a very popular flower with Frits and Small Wood Nymphs on it.
And a Policecar Moth.
When I get back to my car, I find a shady spot for lunch and I continue on my way with a stop at the Stanley Lake overlook.
And then my drive up the Salmon River Scenic Drive up to Challis Idaho. And the drive is incredible as it winds through a canyon along the Salmon River.
Pretty calm river but it does have it's spots of rapids which is why there are lots of rafts and kayaks in the water.
I make one stop at this "intersection" of water.
And the East Fork Rec area.
Fantastic drive! (Probably why it's a Scenic Byway). I'll be on it for the next few days.
Even though things didn't go as planned, it was still a fantastic day!
