Squaw Butte Back Country Horsemen September 2006

Ellen, Warrior and Chet at Ingeborg Lake About 15 miles. We spent 4 rugged lake. We lunched at In August SBBCH members made nights at Ardeth Lake and had Rock Slide Lake - another two rides into the Sawtooth the entire lake to ourselves. beautiful lake. We rode further Wilderness. One ride was by Good campsite and good down to Benedict Lake at 8240'. Charles Lox and Ellen Knapp. grazing. We figure that most We also took a little used trail to The other was Doug and Terri backpackers can only make it to the tucked away and scenic Argo and Bill and Marybeth Conger. Each ride has a tale to tell. Edna Lake in one day, then they Three Island Lake at 8598'. We The first is By Ellen Knapp pass up Ardeth Lake on their cut 3 downfall on the trail e rode 6 days and camped way to their next camp spot. between Rock Slide Lake and W5 nights in the Sawtooth Monday we rode about 12 miles Benedict Lake. Coming back, Wilderness. We rode about 70 to Hidden Lake and the Cramer we were able to see the Red miles, I'm sure Bindi Sue(our Divide at 9480'. Fantastic views. Mountain fire smoke plume dog) ran even more. We had Didn't meet anyone! In true from Ingeborg Lake. about 38 hours of 'in the saddle' BCH fashion, we cut 3 downfall time. Excellent weather, from the Hidden Lake Trail. We minimal bugs, dry conditions. crossed the South Fork of the Perfect time for a pack trip. Payette River a few times - it's We saw some of the most narrow near its headwaters. spectacular scenery available, Tuesday we had a spectacular and it's right in our backyard. 12 mile ride with completely On Sunday we rode in from fantastic scenery. We rode over Ellen on the trail from Alice Lake Pettit Lake Tin Cup trail head at the Ardeth Lake/Spangle Lake Wednesday we had another 12 6996' via Yellow Belly Lake and divide at 8952'. We dropped mile ride. We again rode over Edith Lake. We then went over down to Spangle Lake at 8585' the Ardeth Lake/Spangle Lake Sand Mountain Pass at 9400'. and met a group of 6 horse folks divide at 8952'. On the way we We rode past Edna, Veron, and camped there. We then rode up cut out a downfall. We had Summit Lakes and dropped to Ingeborg Lake at 8890'. What negotiated it the previous day down to Ardeth Lake at 8228'. a beautiful high mountain, and had decided that it was too Squaw Butte Back Country Horsemen September 2006 dangerous for horse crossing. 8520', a long narrow lake tucked Summit, Vernon, and Edna away below the peaks. We then Lakes. We went over Sand went cross country to Heart Mountain Pass at 9280' to Lake, another stunning high Toxaway Lake. We then mountain lake. We stumbled climbed Snowyside Pass at 9280' across a hiker at that lake - the and dropped down to Twin only person we met all day. On Lakes at 8868' were we set up the return ride we could see camp and spent the night. We how the Red Mountain fire had had a bit of rain that night and Alice Lake exploded and could now see the woke to a grey day. We decided On this ride we turned SE down new explosion of the 'contained' it was the right time to be the Middle Fork of the Boise Trail head fire. The Sawtooth heading out of the wilderness. River. Our goal was the Flytrip peaks were beginning to be Friday we had an easy 7 mile Creek trail and Camp and Heart shrouded in smoke. ride from Twin Lakes at 8868', Lakes. The views of the canyon Thursday, we packed up. The past Alice Lake and back to and peaks were stunning. We smoke was rolling in and we Pettit Lake at 6996'. The view of cut 2 more deadfall that were wanted to take a longer route the Stanley valley was hidden treacherous for horses to cross. out to the trailhead and did not by smoke. The Flytrip Creek Trail was want a marathon ride. We rode It was a wonderful trip and just very rugged, steep, and rocky. 12 miles that day. We retraced the right length. We lunched at Camp Lake at our route from Ardeth Lake to

By Terri Argo couple of fledgling packers However, we were “ planning” SURFING THE SAWTOOTHS (namely Teri and Doug Argo) to go up to the west side of he week of August 13 into the Sawtooth Wilderness. Chamberlain Basin in the Frank T through 19 found Bill and This trip had been several Church Wilderness. Plans Marybeth Conger leading a months in the planning. changed because of fires near Squaw Butte Back Country Horsemen September 2006 the Big Creek trailhead and did a couple day rides, and did of it. Also beware some of the Yellow Pine. So, we decided we some fishing, and a lot of bridges as they were in would go into the Frank Church relaxing. disrepair. (Maybe this could be just east of Sea Foam, that is For those of you who watch a trail maintenance project for until the fires closed that area, NASCAR for the crashes (why us next year?) We took a day too. In the process of calling else?), I’m sorry, the worst ride up from Ardeth Lake over various Forest Service offices to disaster to befall our party was the ridge toward Vernon Lake. find out what was NOT that the Argo’s self-inflating This trail is steep and not well- burning, we found out that the mattresses became self- suited to pack stock. It could be fire which had been raging near deflating. We stayed warm, but done, but I would choose an Grand Jean had finally gone out the ground did get a bit hard. alternate route. and this trailhead was now The weather was beautiful, and open. It is nice to live in a state we enjoyed wonderful scenery where there are lots of options each day. We only covered for places to ride! about 40 miles with the pack stock, which just might qualify as a record for shortest distance the Congers have covered during a 5 day trip. Had we pushed our animals harder, we would have covered more ground, and we might have had more exciting things to report Ardeth Lake (NASCAR style). But alas, all We left from the trailhead on we got was a very relaxing Sawtooth Camp Visitor Monday morning and rode into vacation. Elk Lake, which is about 11 miles along the South Fork of the Payette River. There was a lot of feed at the upstream end of this lake, and we spent a relaxing evening in camp watching the horses eat. The next morning, we continued up to Ardeth Lake and over to Spangle Lakes where we made camp. Our Bill, MB & Terri log surfing intent had been to go down to Trail Summary: Atlanta and back up the Queens The trail up the South Fork of River; however, we did not the Payette River from Grand have our stock in as good of Jean trailhead to Ardeth Lake, shape as that trip would have and then over the ridge to required, so we opted for Spangle Lakes and Ingeborg spending a couple days at Lake is wide and firm. It is laid Spangle Lakes and another at out very well for pack animals. Ardeth Lake before heading Be prepared to deal with dead back out to the trailhead. We fall as there was a fair amount Squaw Butte Back Country Horsemen September 2006

President ’s Letter Dear SBBCH Members, Well the Schindele’s and I had a nice trip to the Selway Lodge, except for Sally’s rib of course. It was kind of like old home week for me. And I hear the Sawtooth Wilderness was full of our members in August as well. We kind of covered the state from one end to the other. I’m looking forward to our Treasure Hunt with the 4H on the 16 th and want to thank Ellen for all her hard work on this. It’s important to get young people involved in our organization and this is sure a good way to do it. Congratulations on their birthday in September go to Bill Conger, Diane Dann, Tracy Dineen, Gary Farnese and Kay Ryan. One other thing, we reviewed, voted on and approved the August meeting minutes at the September meeting so they won’t appear in this month’s newsletter. See you in camp Bob

The Red Mountain Fire taken from Bruce Meadows. BE CAREFUL OUT THERE! Squaw Butte Back Country Horsemen September 2006

By Moosely Adams very smooth road, we are at the of a chain saw was heard. This was sleeping with my herd Squaw Creek trail head / camp continued for the next six I mates when I noticed a ground. No one else it here yet, hours. We spent most of the Cyclops opening the gate to our so we unload and he gives us day standing in the shade, as pasture. It had a bright eye in some apples and brushes the Rob worked on the trail. At the middle of it forehead that road dust off us. He then 15:30, we turned around. I hurt my eyes to look at it. applies bug spray, something I heard Rob say something about When it got closer I could see it really don't care for. After a few running out of chain oil, having was Rob the human that feeds minutes, John Erickson of the forgotten it back at the trailer. us and take us on weekend trips Emmett ranger district arrives By 17:00 we were back in camp, to the mountains, but it was still with some signs that he would had been feed and were taking dark so what did he want. It like us to put up. Rob and John naps. was soon apparent that we were talk for a while about the local Willow and I expected the next going someplace because he fires. John was been at the Red morning to leave from this trail always give us some grain Mountain fire and was getting a head, and work on another trail, before putting our halters on. break before going back to a fire but instead we loaded in the We like to play a game, line. Because of his fire duties, trailer and moved to Wilson pretending we don't want to go, he couldn't go riding with us. Corral. We got decked out in but the grain is so tasty so we all After John left, Rob saddled us our equipment and for the next file into the paddock and have up, loading his trail tools on me, five hours worked on that trail. breakfast. For this trip he only and some of the signs. When All of our work was done on the selects Willow and me willow was ready we started up lower section of trail, as the (Moosely). In a few minutes we West Mountain trail North [TR- upper section had been already are loaded in the trailer and 131]. We only went a short cleared. Rob thinks it may have heading towards Ola. We can distant before we saw the first been done by some cowboys see where the fire burned, some of many downrd trees blocking running cattle on the mountain places it came right to the road. the trail. Rob unloaded some so that they could haul in salt. After about 90 minutes on a equipment and soon the sound By 17:00 we were back in our Squaw Butte Back Country Horsemen September 2006 pasture after a fun weekend in move, stop, wait, move again the mountains. routine common to trail work. On Saturday August 26 I Most of our stops were in very noticed a horse trailer coming shady spots. After we broke out up our lane. The trailer into the upper meadow, we contained my new buddy trotted for a while up the trail to Nova. Nova and his human the junction of trail [TR-131] and Kelley, spent the night and trail [TR-135] to place one of the again in the dark we were signs that John had given us the surprised by the Cyclops. After week before. After that we a quick breakfast, the three of us Kelley on Nova headed back down the trail to loaded in the trailer and headed Willow was sort of grumpy so I the trailer. It was a nice trip to back to West Mountain. This filled him in. We went back to the mountains and I know that was Nova’s first trip there and the trail that we didn't finish the Nova had a great time. he was asking all sorts of Saturday before. It was a quick questions during the ride. ride up to where we had stopped. We then spent the next three hours doing the

by Robbin Schindele Warm Springs Bar and pack in Mountain Meadows from there. campground. There was water This year again Sally and I and Bob grew up in that country and plenty of feed for the Bob Howard traveled across the and was our guide. Our horses. The next morning was state to ride in the Selway- objective was to get to the leisurely spent. We headed off Bitterroot Wilderness. Were last Selway Lodge. Bob’s dad had about 10:30 and drove to the year we camped at the Moose owned the lodge in the 1950s road down to the Bar and were Creek trailhead, this year went and he wanted to get back in met with a sign saying Warm through Elk City and up onto and see what it was like today. Springs Bar 10 miles, trailers not Green Mountain and down to It’s a long drive up there so the recommended. Bob had an first night we camped at alternative plan but it was Squaw Butte Back Country Horsemen September 2006 longer so we unhitched his the sun went behind the wreck. But it was soon over and trailer and drove down the road mountains, found a meadow soon put to rights and Sally said to check if the sign was correct. with an old camp a couple she was doing OK so we headed It was. hundred yards from the creek down the trail. The alternate was to go to and set up camp. We got to the confluence of Windy Saddle and go in from The next morning we were on Running Creek and the Selway there so we checked out that the trail by ten with another 10 River without further incident. road too. The roads had been miles ahead of us. Bob had That is the location of the pretty bad getting this far so we talked to the Elk City FS and Running Creek Ranch, an in- were being cautious. It wasn’t they said they had contracted holding in the wilderness. It “too bad” so we went back trail clearing to the edge of their was strange to come the hitched up and drove up there district. They didn’t know how owner’s house, even though it to camp and ride out in the it was beyond that. They did was made of logs, the morning. Again a nice spot say the trail hadn’t been cut out manicured lawn, sprinklers and water and forage for the for ten years prior to this year’s general tidiness made it look as animals and a nice camp. contract. SO we know we had though we were in a Boise But as we got to looking around good going for at least half the suburb rather than the we came upon a FS notice board distance. wilderness. declaring every trail out of there The trail was in pretty good We passed through a fenced in restricted from travel. The shape, lots of brush but passable pasture and made camp on a declarations stated it was an and pretty once we got down to bar next to the river. That offense to “be on the trail.” Well creek level after crossing a evening we saw the caretakers tthere was an alternative to the couple ridges. We did encounter coming into camp with a couple alternative, we could travel one downed tree in an old burn. dudes in tow. They told us back down the road and take There was no workaround so even though our camp was in the Lynx Creek trail down to we hacked it out. the wilderness in was part of Running Creek and get back on Going up one of the ridges the the ranch but we were welcome track. The Running Creek trail is saddle started to slip on one of to stay. Our plan was we were the trail we were going to take my mules. Sally riding drag let going to ride to Selway Lodge from Warm Springs Bar me know. We stopped as the and back (14 miles total) anyway. saddle slipped around to his tomorrow then head for home So we camped the night and set side, I jumped off and was the following day. out in the morning. We were trying to hold the saddle up and The next morning I looked at loaded and headed down the Sally was holding the two Pancho and saw his back was trail by about noon. It was nine hooked up mules steady. But in sored where the saddle ends so miles to Running Creek from my haste I had not tied my I said I would stay in camp and ther Lynx Creek trailhead and horse to anything so he let Bob and Sally ride to the most of it was downhill. The wandered off to greener grass lodge. A day off wasn’t going to trail was steep and washed out and the lead mule seeing this heal the sore but it wouldn’t in many spots. The animals took off hastily to follow In fact make it worse. They wouldn’t were walking in a trench 2-3 they bolted and hit Sally with a have to tow any animals if I was feet deep in many places. There hard pannier, knocking her to staying back, so off they went was a lot of brush but the whole the ground and breaking a rib in while I lounged around camp trail was navigable with only the process. Then the saddle and looked after the pack stock one work around spot. We got slipped farther and we had a bit and Pancho. to running creek about the time of a run around scared kind of Squaw Butte Back Country Horsemen September 2006 thanks to modern gear we the trail to Paradise was in good weren’t cold anyway. shape. Over coffee we talked about the It was and it was the prettiest ride out and did we have any part of the trip. The trail alternatives. Sally was hurting follows the river, meandering and it was a steep rough trip up and down the slopes on the back the way we came. Bob East side. Sometimes you’re on then said it was only seven the flood plain and sometimes Bob & the owners of the Selway miles to Paradise (a you’re far above it with a Lodge campground east of us on the straight drop down to its When they got to the lodge the river) if we could get someone absolutely clear depths. owners daughter, her two to meet us there we could get The ride was accomplished by children and the caretaker were back to our rigs on the mid-afternoon, I unpacked our there. When they heard Bob McGruder road. If we could get sleeping bags and dried them in knew a lot of the history of the someone to meet us there! Well I the sunny meadow. Our place he and Sally were guess that would be Bob’s wife rescuers arrived about 10:00 that welcomed with lemonade and and son. It was Friday, we evening. The Bobs, Donna and cookies and a tour of all the could stay were we were and Sally went off to Hamilton, improvements. The owners are dry out today, then ride to Montana for the night and I from Connecticut and have Paradise in the morning. Young stayed with the stock. restored and improved the Bob wouldn’t have to miss any place considerably, rebuilding The next day the bobs and I work and we could have our drove the McGruder road back some of the buildings, rigs back to pick up the stock in to our rigs. That road is expanding others, flying in a a day. state of the art kitchen with a someplace I’ve always wanted So we trudged up to the to do so it was kind of a bonus wa lk in refrigerator. Your Running Creek Ranch for me. It took us 3 hours to everyday kind of stuff. caretaker’s cabin and asked if travel it in Sally’s jeep and it After the tour Sally and Bob they could and would call out took 4 hours for Bob to headed back. By the time they for us. They were welcoming negotiate with his trailer. I got to camp Sally’s rib was and accommodating with their opted to go around as I wanted hurting pretty bad. I had made sat phone. But we couldn’t get to take a look at the Bitterroot pork chops and potatoes for a solid connection from their valley again. I like that country. supper and we settled into our cabin so one of them went up to It took me ten hours. I got back bunks under the stars as the the main house to use the other to camp about midnight, the evening began to chill. And phone. He got through, talked Howard’s had left for home then started to rain, then it quit to Donna and came back to tell about 7:00. Sally and I retired and then it rained some more. us so. What we forgot to tell got up Sunday and came home, By morning we were all soaking him was to come tomorrow so an interesting trip. wet as were our bedrolls but they, and we, would be on our way shortly. They also told us

September Events September 16, 2nd ANNUAL TREASURE HUNT TRAIL RIDE September 23, DRY BUCK LOOP FUN RIDE For details & directions to these events please go to http://www.sbbchidaho.org/html/activities.html

Squaw Butte Back Country Horsemen P.O. Box 293, Emmett, ID 83617

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