MT. BORAH: Idaho's highest peak, Lost River Range

If you seek a challenge, this is it! Climbing a verticle mile will get you to the top of the state. It is a strenuous hike/climb that was not as eerie as the blogs and comments that I read through prior to making this trip. If you are in good health and good physical condition, this is a great day hike that WILL take you all day. (Unless, of course, you hang with the guru who ran past us on our way up, only slowing long enough to answer that it only takes him 2 hours to summit instead of the average 5 or 7.)

...just dont look down! (Chicken-Out Ridge)

...take your time! (Final stretch, last 800 vert. ft.)





...and pack enough food and WATER!!!
(Summit!)





SUMMARY:
It took the 2 of us about 8 hrs to summit, and about 5 hrs to hike back on Aug 14, 2008. Jordan, age 10, was congratulated by all who we saw on the trail and given a standing ovation as he poked his weary head over the summit! Packing plenty of water is always the key!
I also made this same climb the previous year with 5 other adult friends. Elevation sickness kept one from reaching the summit, but the rest of us pushed on.
I would do it again!

SKILLERN HOT SPRINGS: Smokey Mountains, Featherville, Idaho

This is a great hike for ANYONE! The slight elevation changes make this an easy 2.5 mile walk. Nearly the entire hike follows the Big Smokey Creek where catching one of the medium sized trout is a fun challenge!

At times, the trail forks off to a lower trail that requires splashing through the deep creek and back several times, so I've always stuck to the high road.

The hot springs site is just off of the trail but not visible from the trail. Small wooden signs are posted above the springs.

The hot water spills over a small rock wall and fills a perfect sized tub that is completely hidden from any approaching hikers on the trail.

WANT MORE?...

There are several side trails that lead off to the west, such as Calf Creek, and climb up to the ridgeline towards Skillern Peak (8,878 ft).

Snowslide Lake is an outstanding destination in a small depression near the top of the ridge. A shallow, secluded, crystal clear lake hides between the trees and the snow drifts most of the year. A Pristine campsite!!

(bottom) Snowslide lake as we approached it in the evening and (top) a sunrise view from my tent.