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Base Camp
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- Statistics:
- Date Hiked: October 2,
1999
- Miles Hiked: 13.0
- Elevation Gain: 3,170'
- Hiking Partner(s): None
- Description:
- I couldn't have asked for a more
beautiful day for a fall hike. The sky was clear, the wind was calm, and I
didn't forget a thing on this excursion. This hike also gave me the opportunity
to try out my new Lowe Alpine daypack that Chuck Bauman recommended to me.
- Although this hike never really
appealed to me, it ended up being very rewarding for several reasons.
- First of all, Fisher Peak is the highest elevation that I have been at in the
Inland Northwest at 7,580'. This height edged out the unnamed peak above
Big Fisher Lake by 50'.
- Next, this was actually the longest hike I have
done at 13 miles.
- Finally, I paced myself and took regular short breaks
rather that taking off like a race horse. Unfortunately, I have a habit of
starting out like a bat out of hell and then hitting a wall after about 4
miles. I took my time with the Fisher Peak hike, and actually felt much
better when I finished as compared to considerably shorter hikes. Beyond
that, I have come to realize that you don't really make up much time by trying
to hike at the pace of a hungry cheetah.
- The Fisher Peak trail is located 5 1/2
miles up Trout Creed Road, which is northwest of Bonners Ferry (ID). The
grade of the trail was not unreasonable, but it was persistent and at times
relentless gaining 3,170' in the 6 1/2 miles to the peak. In addition, I
found the route to be faint at times with very little use. Hikers have
maintained several cairns in these areas which assist in route finding.
From the trailhead to Farnham Ridge, it was one switchback after another.
After reaching the ridge, the trail leveled off for a couple of miles before the
climb to the peak.
- Once on top, I took in the lofty views
atop the vista of Fisher Peak. Of the many attractions included, Parker
Peak, Eneas Peak, Pyramid Peak, Farnham Peak & Ridge, the Kootenai River,
and the Purcell Mountains to the northeast. It took me 2 hours and 50
minutes to reach the top where I spent 55 minutes having lunch and enjoying the
scenery, and then I descended back to the Trooper in 1 hour and 55
minutes. Again, this was a great hike that takes you into one of the very
few unroaded drainages left in northern Idaho.
- I covered a lot of trails, peaks, and
lakes in 1999, and I can say that it was another exceptionally successful hiking
season. Over the course of the winter, I may reorganize my web page, try
to do some snow shoeing, or buy some more equipment I don't really need.
- Maps:
- 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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