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Base Camp
Up
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- Statistics:
- Date Hiked: September 18,
1999
- Miles Hiked: 6.0
- Elevation Gain: 1,900'
- Hiking Partner(s): Becky &
Taylor Just
- Description:
- Although this hike didn't make the
"100 Hikes" book, it was a nice family hike close to town which didn't
require a lot of driving time. The trailhead is located 4.8 miles up
Bottle Bay Road just southeast of Sandpoint (ID). Gold Hill is the knoll east
of the Long Bridge as you are coming north into Sandpoint.
- Becky, Taylor and myself decided to try
to take advantage of the beautiful weather that Northern Idaho was having
as of late. For September, the temperatures were
exceptional. We set out and made it to the top of Gold Hill in about 1
hour and 15 minutes. At the top, there is a small lookout area pointing to
the west that allows you to take in views of Pend Oreille Lake, the Pend
Oreille River, Sandpoint, and Schweitzer Mountain Ski Resort.
- Of course whenever I attempt to take
Becky with and get her more involved in my hiking trips, something must always go
wrong. On the way down, I spotted a trail that spurred off from the main
trail and assumed it was a shortcut that eliminated a few
switchbacks. After going a couple of hundred yards, we knew I was wrong,
but decided that we would chance it and see where we came out. A few minutes
later, Taylor fell asleep in the child carrier, we ran out of trail, and Becky
was not a happy camper.
- After bush wacking a bit and hiking
through some people's yards, we got onto an established gravel road and just
followed it down to Bottle Bay Road. We came out approximately 2.5 miles
away from the trailhead. At this point, Taylor was still sleeping, Becky
was now walking 50 yards behind me (not talking either), and we had a ways to
go. Fortunately, some hikers that we visited with at the lookout noticed
us as they drove out and gave me a ride to the Trooper. Becky was actually
a pretty good sport and didn't give me too hard of a time. For a quick
hiking fix, this is a great trail.
- Maps:
- The 3D map is facing directly south.
- Click here to view a 2D map of
the area where this hike is located.
- Click here to view a
3D map of
the area where this hike is located.
- Photographs:
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www.
just
hiking
.com
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