Bighorn Crags (Idaho)

**Zach L** · 08-15-2023, 21:43

I had another great opportunity to get out and visit the Rugged Frank Church Wilderness in Idaho! A friend and I left right after work and arrived at the trailhead at 11pm. It’s a good 2.5 hours outside of Salmon Idaho on forest Service roads but worth the drive. I would recommend driving in during the day so you can see how amazingly rugged and big that country is. It will make a person feel small really fast!

We left the trailhead Friday morning and hiked into Ship Island Lake. It took us about 6 hours. The trail is just shy of 20 miles in and out. The total elevation gain was around 3900 feet. At times it feels like your trying to suck the sky through a straw but feels good when that cool breeze hits as your hiking over a saddle and enjoying the views.

When we arrived at ship island we made camp and enjoyed the evening. We did some fishing and watch the sun go down. Saturday morning we got up and hiked back to the truck. The weather for the trip was 65 for a high and mid 40s for a low. It was seriously the best hiking weather I have had in a good while!

I know a lot of people come from all over the country to visit the Sawtooths but if I had to choose between the two I would pick the crags every time! It’s hard to explain how it makes you feel. Everybody that gets out in the woods understands what I mean. The feeling of peace and quiet is priceless. It makes me feel blessed to have the opportunity to live next to so many amazing places.

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**FLTurtle** · 08-15-2023, 23:10

Very nice! That 4th pic...not a ripple!

**Hang Williams** · 08-16-2023, 06:05

I'd love to go back there and setup a base camp then hike around to all the various lakes.

I've heard varying reports on the road in. Would you take a rental car on it or is it more 4WD high clearance only?

**Zach L** · 08-16-2023, 08:33

Yeah it was clear and still that morning! That’s one of my favorite pictures. And to answer your question Hang Williams. We took a truck when we went. We never needed 4wd but it’s gets pretty wash boarded with Ruts in some places. I might not take a car but a suburban or something similar would work out just fine. The snow will linger until mid July at times. So if a guy went in late July or August that would be ideal.

**xMagnolia** · 08-16-2023, 09:55

Those photos are postcard quality! You are very lucky to be close enough for a quick trip. Thanks for sharing with us.

Charlotte

**Zach L** · 08-16-2023, 18:26

Thank you! Yes I’m very lucky!

**OlTrailDog** · 08-17-2023, 18:29

Gorgeous country, sounds like a great trip, and excellent photos.

**Zach L** · 08-19-2023, 12:47

I also forgot to add that I took a new hammock user. I set him up in my warbonnet ridgerunner and he LOVED it! We can add another one to the ranks!

**sideshowraheem** · 08-21-2023, 14:17

That looks incredible! Makes me want to head out west and do some hiking and camping out there. Thats a big change from the green tunnel we get over in northern Minnesota.

**Zach L** · 08-21-2023, 20:18

It’s funny how that works isn’t it? I would Love to visit the boundary waters! Seems like a lot a places that people want to visit are away from home!