Trip report by: Wayne from Rockville, MD
"I would definitely recommend this trip to a friend."
My son and I planned this trip for more than half a year. Every detail, except accomodations when not on the trail, was accounted for - so we thought.
We started early one morning from Challis and drove the thirty miles or so to the trailhead at Bighorn Crags Campground in a few hours using the rented 4WD. By early morning we started our wilderness hike.
Day one had us camping somewhere along Clear Creek. Day two we followed and crossed this creek many, many times - over fallen trees, holding fallen trees, and finally just bagging staying dry and walking across with a pole for balance against the currents. Day three up the Elkhorn Creek Trail is where things did not go according to the best laid plans. Some hours up the trail it became impossible to follow due to forest fire damage.
We decided to go straight up a mountain in an attempt to find the trail. A bit shy of the top my knee hurt so much my son went to the top alone. Fifteen minutes later I saw him running West and a big Grizzly running East. It was so quick by the time the revolver was out, just in case, it was gone. We eventually went back up together and discovered he had interrupted the eating of a pony. We quickly left the area. We went back to where we started for the day.
The next day we took an alternate, unplanned route, up Deadhorse Creek to the Gant Mountain Range. This meant to lake visits but as it turned out the only piece of gear that was left in the car was the fishing rod. Deadhorse Creek Trail is TOUGH. We did a mile an hour up this trail. The Gant Mountain Range is dry - so far we'd had water whenever we wanted it. On Gant Mountain we found snow and melted it for water. We also had snowcones, I carry presweetened Koolaid for these occasions, which were excellent. My son also made some similar drinks with coffee mixes that he loved but I did not. We had Mountain House Lasagna that night which we both recommend.
The following day, after a chocolate pudding breakfast, we were back at the car. All in all it was an exciting trip. On the way back to Boise, where we were to fly out back to BWI, we whitewater rafted a IV. It was fantastic. We also went to Craters of the Moon NP the following day which was interesting but I would not want to backpack there.
Note: This is backcountry wilderness travel. Any trail can become very dangerous in winter conditions. You are responsible for informing yourself of the hazards and taking the necessary precautions. Please read Terms of Use.