Farragut State Park - Camping

Camping

Location: Near Athol, Idaho
Duration: Varies

Season: Year round

Farragut State Park an Old Historic US Naval Base

Farragut State Park is situated at the foot of the Coeur d’Alene Mountains and at 4,000 acres, it is one of Idaho's largest state parks. It's a four-season camping spot with scenic mountains, pristine forests, abundant wildlife and located on the banks of Lake Pend Oreille.
　
The state’s largest lake, Lake Pend Oreille has a rich history once being the second largest U.S. naval training center in the world during World War II, with a surface area of 94,600 acres and numerous forested coves, it’s a flat-water paradise, offering trophy fishing, diving, sailing, paddling, swimming and water-skiing.
　
Activities, facilities, and services in the park include camping, picnicking, swimming, boat launch, hiking, bicycling, horseback riding, 18 hole disc golf course, radio controlled model airplane flyers field, amphitheater, fish cleaning station, playgrounds, sand volleyball courts, horseshoe pits, and RV dump station, a shooting range, group picnic shelters, campfire programs, group campgrounds, and groomed cross country ski trails during the winter.
　
As for the camping facilities, there’s a bunch (this place is huge). Snowberry and Whitetail campgrounds have 45 and 63 campsites, each containing a picnic table, fire pit, and restrooms with hot showers. Snowberry has hookups to water and electricity at each site and Whitetail has centralized water faucets.
　
Kestrel has 24 sites, Nighthawk has 24 sites, and Redtail has 28 sites all with water and electric hook-ups, including 7 deluxe sites, 2 clusters of 3 sites, 1 cluster of 4 sites, and a central restroom with hot showers. Kestrel and Nighthawk each have a shelter that can be reserved.
　
Several group camps and group areas are available, ranging in capacity from 50 to 1,000 people for the group areas, and 25 to 500 people for the group camps. Farragut can accommodate groups of almost any size under special arrangements. The park has hosted everything from large family gatherings to Scout Jamborees of up to 20,000.
　
There’s a minimum nonrefundable reservation fee. Additional fees may be charged depending on the cost of services provided. General campsite regulations allow for a maximum of 8 people on a standard site and 12 people on a deluxe site. With a 15 day maximum stay.
　
One camping unit is allowed per site. A camping unit is considered to be one RV or two tents. One vehicle per site with an extra charge of $5 for each additional vehicle. Camping is allowed in designated areas only. All boats, trailers, rigs and motorized vehicles must fit within the campsite-parking spur provided.
　
Campfires are allowed in designated areas only! Pets must be kept on a leash. Please check with destination park staff for local restrictions. Quiet hours are from 10 pm to 7 am. Check out time is 1 pm.
　
Finally, fireworks are prohibited, No Exceptions! NOTE: You can reserve campsites at Farragut State Park, both group and individual sites, along with day-use picnic shelters up to 11 months in advance. But please note that not all services are available during the "Off Season".

For pictures, map, regulations and more info click on Farragut State Park

See you on the trail,

--Greg

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Trail Tips - How to Cut Pack Weight

The Fundamentals of Cutting Backpack Weight
　
Your plans for that great adventure are set. A remote destination is awaiting. You've invited your best friends and the food has all been purchased.

The only problem is you have to carry everything on your back; first aid gear, food and cooking utensils, clothing, tents, etc... Not only do you have to carry it, but how are you going to fit it all into your backpack?

The recommended weight for a beginner's backpack is 25% of their bodyweight and for some people that's even pushing it. So how can we lighten your load?

Well, here’s the 6 fundamentals to cutting backpack weight:

Fundamental #1 - Heaviest things first. Get rid of your tent and use a tarp. You can save 8 pounds right off the bat by using a 1 pound trap. Use dehydrated food. Food is one of the heaviest items you'll carry and with new technology the flavors are getting better all the time, so do some taste testing and find out what you like.

Fundamental #2 - Multi-use Items. The practice of using one piece of equipment for more than one purpose will allow you to leave gear behind. Your imagination is the only limit, you can use your stuff sack for a pillow, your T-shirt for a toothbrush, and duct tape makes a great bandage. Really there's just about no limit to how many ways you can use duct tape (but that's a whole other article).

Fundamental #3 - Smaller and lighter. Manufacturers are making new gear in smaller packages everyday. They still have all the same features, just in a smaller and lighter size. Little saving do add up.

Fundamental #4 - Buy a smaller backpack. If you don't have the room you won't pack it. Have you ever move into a smaller house before, it's amazing how much you can get rid of. The same principle applies here.

Fundamental #5 - Don’t pack it. Everything that you put in your pack adds weight, but if you leave something out of your pack you reduce its weight by 100%. So ask yourself if you really need those extras. Do you really need all those cook pots, or a machete, or a camp chair?

Fundamental #6 - Analyze what you take. Finally, take time before, during, & after each hike to inventory your gear and packing habits. Keep equipment lists and analyze what you used and didn't use at the end of every trip. You may be surprised at the amount of unnecessary weight that you carry. In time, you will see patterns and ways to shave weight, but keep in mind it is a process and takes some time to get the hang of it.

That reminds me of a backpacking buddy I had that would bring every thing and the kitchen sink. He was a nice guy and would always share if someone didn't have something, so I started not bringing things and just borrowed his.

I remember I was almost to the point of just bringing my pillow in my pack, when he figured it out and decided to go lightweight. Well, all good things must come to an end.

Well, here's to lightening your load.

See you on the trail,
--Greg



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Fern and Shadow Falls

Hiking
Location: Idaho Panhandle National Forest, North Fork of the Cd’A River
Duration: 1 Day
Season: Spring - Fall
Distance: ~2 miles round trip
Difficulty: Easy

This hike is located in the mountains above the North Fork of the Coeur d'Alene River in the Idaho Panhandle National Forest.This Forest comprises about 2.5 million acres of beautiful mountains, clear lakes and rivers, ancient cedar groves, fish and wildlife for a host of outdoor activities.

As for this hike, it documents a trail up to a couple of waterfalls that are lush with vegetation from the cool mist of cascading water. The trail is wide and composed mostly of large sized gravel and follows Yellow Dog Creek up about ¼ mile from the parking lot.

The falls are on the same creek, the lower is Fern Falls and the upper is Shadow Falls. To get to Fern Falls (~12 feet high), the first of the two, just take an easy 1 mile hike up the trail to the wood bridge over the creek (there's a sign, so you can't miss it).

The second and biggest waterfall is Shadow Falls (~24 feet), which is hidden in a slot up above Fern Falls in a darker more shadowy place (hence the name). You can find it by continuing up the rocky trail past Fern Falls for another couple hundred yards, where the trail will double back and climb up to the waterfall (couple hundred yards more).The second section is steeper, mostly smooth single track with sections of rock steps to a hidden hidden water fall.

On a hot day these falls are great for kids to play in, you can walk behind both of them and even in August the water is still cool. There is a nice spot at Fern falls for a picnic lunch and the hike is appropriate for all ability levels. I would suggest bringing a picnic lunch on a hot day and then loose track of time.

Also while you're up the river, there are many opportunities to camp and fish. Check out some of the campsites and find a good swimming pool, Big Hank is probably the most beautiful camp up the river.

For pictures, maps and more info click on Fern and Shadow Falls

See you on the trail,
--Greg

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The John Wayne Trail / Iron Horse State Park

Mountain Biking/Hiking
Location: Snoqualmie Pass, Washington
Duration: 1 Day
Season: Spring - Fall
Distance: ~33 miles, round trip or ~16 miles, one way
Difficulty: Easy

Washington State's John Wayne Pioneer Trail follows the former railbed of the Chicago-Milwaukee-St. Paul-Pacific Railroad two-thirds of the way across Washington. The light gravel [{5}pathway] offers hikers, bicyclists, equestrians, wagons and cross-country skiers a chance to travel along the historic Milwaukee Road right-of-way on a gentle, easy-to-negotiate grade. The 100-mile portion from Cedar Falls (near North Bend) to the Columbia River near Vantage is managed as Iron Horse State Park.

The trail was created in the 1980’s when Washington State Parks acquired the abandoned Milwaukee Road corridor. In its heyday, the Milwaukee Road was a vital trade link between Seattle and the Midwest and was the world’s first electric rail line. This trip specifically documents the section of trail between exit 38 East of North bend to exit 54 at Hyak on the Eastside of Snoqualmie Pass.

The railroad tracks have been removed and the area has been turned into a state park, known as Iron Horse State Park. Some people call the trail the John Wayne Trail west of Snoqualmie Pass and the Iron Horse Trail east of Snoqualmie Pass, while others call the entire trail the Iron Horse Trail, yet still others refer to it as the John Wayne Trail in Iron Horse State Park (Oh well). The trail is relatively smooth, but not paved and because of this along with its length, most people use it as a mountain bike trail.

It's an easy ride with spectacular [{10&18}views]. On average, the trail is about half a mile from the highway and about 300 feet higher, so that the noise and exhaust fumes of the trucks on the highway are not bothersome. As you can see from the map, there are two Exits 38: Exit 38 west and Exit 38 east, about two miles apart and connected by a side road. You can access the trail from either exit. At the time this trip was documented, the trestle over Hall Creek, about a mile East of Exit 38 west, was [{3}broken] and could not be crossed, although plans were in the works to fix this trestle in the near future.

The river between the Interstate and the trail is called the Snoqualmie River. The trail itself is approximately 16.5 miles to Hyak and rises steadily from exit 38 to an elevation of approximately 2500 feet. This is high enough so that one can expect snow here in the winter. At its peak elevation, just after Humpback Creek, the trail enters [{15&16}Snoqualmie Tunnel] (a 2-mile long tunnel). The tunnel is indicated by yellow on the map.

Snoqualmie Pass, the lowest point at which it is possible to cross the mountains here, is at 3,000 feet. The amount of snowfall at that altitude in winter is so great that it would have been difficult to keep the railroad open all winter if it ran over the Pass, to say nothing of the climb required. So it made sense to the builders of the railroad to make a tunnel through the mountain at this point.

NOTE: The ride through the tunnel can be extremely DARK. At two miles in length, the far end is just a small pinpoint of light. Be sure to have a good light and where a jacket. The tunnel is very dark, wet and cool inside. As for the trail its self, the gravel path is level and smooth making for an easy ride. Also, the tunnel is usually closed from November 1 to May 1. After you leave the East end of the tunnel at Hyak, it’s time to backtrack to the trailhead. The return to the trailhead is all downhill making for a quick and easy ride (the whole trip is approximately 33 miles, round-trip).

If you want, it's just a short ride on the old railroad grade East to [{19}Lake Keechelus] for a nice lunch spot. Another option is to drop off a shuttle car at exit 38 and the leave from the East end of the Snoqualmie Tunnel and Pass and ride downhill one-way.

Directions: Take Exit 38, 38 miles east of Seattle, Washington, along Interstate I-90. As you can see from the map, there are two Exits 38: Exit 38 west and Exit 38 east, about two miles apart and connected by a side road. You can access the trail from either exit. At the time this trip was documented, the trestle over Hall Creek, about a mile East of Exit 38 west was broken and could not be crossed. Although, plans were in the works to fix this trestle in the near future.

For a map, pictures and more info click on The John Wayne Trail

See you on the trail,

--Greg

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Arrow Lake / Glacier National Park

Backpacking
Location: Glacier National Park, Montana
Duration: 2-3 Day
Season: Summer
Distance: ~13.2 miles, round trip
Difficulty: Moderate

Arrow Lake is located in Glacier National Park. As your drive to Glacier you travel through rolling foothills only to suddenly see this geological wonder of huge mountains jutting out of the landscape. Known for its pristine forests, alpine lakes and meadows, rugged mountains, and diverse wildlife, Glacier is truly a unique place. I’ve known people who have traveled the world over and still say that it is their favorite outdoor place on earth. With over 700 miles of trails, mountains and lakes, Glacier is an adventurers paradise.

The trail to Arrow Lake begins to climb immediately at a moderate rate and continues to the top of the ridge (2.5 miles). There are only a few view spots where you can see Lake McDonald. At the top of the ridge there is a sign indicating an old fire lookout. The trail to this lookout is old and nearly gone.

The trail moves through a wide saddle and then drops steeply using switchbacks to the Camas Creek Valley. At a bit more than 3 miles the trail forks, going left to Rodger Lake and right to Trout, Arrow, Camas, Evangeline, and Ruger Lakes. Go right. An old campsite sits .25 miles up the trail along Trout Lake. There is a large logjam across Trout Lake that is useful for fishing. Bears cross on this logjam also. One of the first recorded kills of a visitor to the park by a bear happened at this spot. There is no longer a campsite at Trout Lake.

The main backcountry campsite is 3.5 miles up the trail at Arrow Lake. This is a small campground with a good food prep area; bear pole, privy and 2 hitching rails. The trail to the head of the lake requires a crossing of the stream at the foot of the lake. There are stepping stones, but they are slick and some are slightly submerged. The stream is only a foot deep at the crossing and feels good on tired feet.

The trail from Arrow Lake to Camas Lake is well maintained and provides spectacular views. There is a campsite at Camas Lake. The food prep area is very exposed to the wind off the Lake. Lake Evangeline and Ruger Lake are located farther up the valley and require much bushwhacking to reach. There are large damp meadows above Camas lake with a lot of elk and deer sign. There are a lot of exposed slopes in this valley and it is a damp location making it ideal for berry bushes. This also means that this is serious bear country.

Regulations: A backcountry use permit is required for all backcountry camping. Permits for camping between June 1st and September 30th may be obtained in person 24 hours or less prior the trip and are issued on a first come, first serve basis. Backcountry campsites may be reserved between June 5th and October 31st. Backcountry us permit Fee = Between June 1st and September 30th the following fees are charged for backcountry camping: age 17 and up - $4/night, age 9 through 16 - $2/night, age 8 and under - free, Golden age and Golden Access cardholders - $2/night. Check fee updates for current fees. Glacier Park entrance Fee: $5 / person, $10 / car. Entry passes good for 7 days. A fishing permit is required in the park but no fee is required.

Directions: From the west entrance of Glacier National Park (Apgar) travel east on the Going to the Sun Highway for just over 11.8 miles to the Lake McDonald road at the head of Lake McDonald. This road is not signed, but a park map will indicate a ranger station along the road. Follow the road for about 2 miles to the trailhead. The road is very narrow and rough. The parking area is very limited. You may have to go several more miles down the road to find a spot large enough to turn a trailer.

For a map, picture and more info click on Arrow Lake

See you on the trail,
--Greg

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