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Base Camp
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- Statistics:
- Date Hiked: June 24, 2000
- Miles Hiked: 16.0
- Elevation Gain: 710' Cumulative Elevation Gain:
5,920'
- Hiking Partner(s): Chuck
Bauman
- Description:
- You certainly couldn't ask for
much more on a day hike, but I would recommend that you opt for
less. The Seven Devils are located approximately 20 miles west of
Riggins (ID) in the Hells Canyon National Recreation Area. This
recreation area is on the Idaho/Oregon border with the Snake and Salmon
Rivers nearby.
- The weekend started off with some car camping on Thursday night with
the family in Lewiston (ID). Aside from Taylor trying to tear the
tent down and the inoperable inflatable mattress, we had a pretty good
time. From there, we finished the drive to Riggins (ID) by
dropping down into the Salmon River Canyon. We watched some
rafters on the river and salmon fishermen on the shore before hooking up
with Chuck and Kathy Bauman who drove up from Boise (ID).
- Friday evening we drove up to the Seven Devils campground where we
grilled chicken, corn on the cob, and potatoes after taking a short walk
into the Seven Devils Lake and spotting a mountain goat. We returned to our room at the Salmon
River Motel (with the Budweiser mirror decor and all) and called it a
night.
- Chuck and I awoke the next morning, had some breakfast at a local
diner, and headed back up into the mountains. We hit the trail
around 10:00 and very quickly covered the first two miles of our
trek. It was at this point where we made our major descent into
the Sheep Creek canyon not realizing what we were getting into. As
we dropped down the west facing slope, we got our first glimpse of the
Devil's Tooth, She Devil, He Devil, and The Tower of Babel. At
this point, we were still skipping and laughing like two young school
boys. The scenery was magnificent with extremely cooperative
weather.
- We started the climb up the opposite side of the canyon deciding to
take the long way around rather that try to bushwhack up a creek and cut
the hike down a few miles. We made it up the other side with
little difficulty since we both still had relatively fresh legs.
After reaching the other side with approximately 5 miles behind us, the
hike flattened out for one mile past Lily Pad Lake. We
made it to Basin Lake at 1:00 and decided to stop and have something to
eat.
- After an hour, it was back on the trail and back to gaining more
elevation. We slipped past Shelf Lake and Gem Lake before running
into snow and losing the trail. I took the high road while Chuck bushwhacked
the low road, and we basically both picked the trail up again in the
same location. From here we were a mere 5 minutes away from the
saddle below He Devil and above Sheep Lake.
- When we reached the saddle, we dropped our packs and picked up the
cameras and camcorders. We were at 8,300' surrounded by rugged
mountains and alpine lakes. Since the clock was ticking, we only
stayed long enough to click a few photos and record a few frames of
video. Then it was back down the way we came.
- At this point we were both still feeling pretty good because we had
accomplished our goal and were going to be dropping in elevation for
about four miles. Chuck started a snowball fight, and I decided to
go sledding on my belly down a snow field. Chuck got in on video
but decided not to take a turn at my extra curricular activity. We
weaved our way through the lakes and back down to Sheep Creek.
- Once on the bottom, we filled our water bottles one last time and
started the ascent back up the canyon. As we started climbing, my
jolliness was all but gone and I began to try and figure out how in the
world Chuck talked me into a hike that gained over 5,000 cumulative
feet. Although Chuck was like a mountain goat running circles
around me, I hit a wall about half way up and really started sucking
hind teat. I struggled with that last thousand feet while Chuck
wasn't even breathing heavy. We made it back to the top and
stopped for a quick blow and a Snickers.
- From here, we finished the remaining two miles back to the trailhead
and had a Heineken to celebrate our accomplishment. Actual hiking
time for the day was 8 hours and thirty five minutes. We drove
down to McCall (ID) where we spent the night and hooked up with our
rather perturbed wives. After taking a shower (not together) and
inhaling a pizza, we called it a day and hit the rack.
- This was an exceptional hike that would be worth returning for
(although I would most definitely backpack in and spend the night rather
than day hike). We took in towering mountains, boulder fields,
alpine lakes, green meadows, dry trails, forested hillsides, wild
flowers, and flowing creeks. Although this hike left us tired and
sore, it took us into a very remote and rugged area that many people
don't even have the opportunity to see.
- Maps:
- Click here to view a 2D map of
the area where this hike is located.
- Click here to view a
second 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. (North)
- Click here to view a
second 3D map of
the area where this hike is located. (South)
- Photographs:
- This is He Devil
from the saddle where we made our turnaround.
- She
Devil from the saddle.
- The Tower of Babel
was to the east of us across Sheep Lake. It is the prominant peak
on the right.
- Chuck took this photo of me with the Seven
Devil Mountains to the south. This particular photo was posted
in REI's website photo gallery at one time.
- Here is the canyon
that we dropped down into. The trail climbed the opposite side
starting at the timber line to the right.
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