LA Wilder Hikes - Ida Lake August 24 - Aug 26, 2008

Dave and I left around 3:30pm after Dave got off work and headed up Icicle Creek to where they have the road blocked because of the road washout. There were a few cars parked there and we hiked the new primitive road that leads around the washout back to Icicle Road. Then we hiked up the Chatter Creek trail until we came to the camp site just before the junction to the Ida creek trail. It started raining on us as we started up the trail—serious rain such that by the time we got to the camp site, I had puddles in my boots. Since I was leading, I got the brunt of the water off the vegetation. I was really soaked. Luckily, the rain stopped around when we reached the camp site and Dave was able to get a fire started without too much trouble while I pitched the tent. We were able to dry out my boots and clothes before we hit the sack.

The next morning we packed up and headed up to Ida Lake. I wasn't feeling very good and this is one steep trail. I was exhausted by the time we got to the lake. The wind picked up and it started to snow on us. I pitched the tent as quickly as I could—I love this new tent. It went up so fast! We climbed in and Dave heated up some water for hot tea and coffee. We spent the rest of the day in the tent since it continued to snow and blow pretty good. We weren't sure how the new tent would hold up to all that wind, but it did just fine. Dave was pretty excited about the storm, but I stayed tucked inside my sleeping bag with my headlamp so I could read. It was frick'n' freezing out there! :-)

When we got up in the morning it had stopped snowing, but there was still a dusting of snow on the ground. It didn't take long for the snow to melt though. It warmed up and turned out to be a nice day. We wandered around the lake and hiked up for some good views before we had to head back. We found this really great camp site not far from where we had camped that had rock benches built into some rock outcroppings in front of a fire pit. I had to take a picture of us sitting on the benches. The freeze killed off all the bugs so if there were fish in the lake, they must have been bottom feeding in the center of the lake. Since I only had floating flies, I was once again foiled of good fishing. I only saw one fish just as we were leaving. I didn't even bother to set up my pole.

We had a nice day hiking back, but my stomach was upset the whole time going back. I had to keep stopping while I let my stomach settle down. I was so nauseated I actually tried to make myself puke at one point just to get it over with, but to no avail. Needless to say, it wasn't one of my best trips—memorable, but not for good reasons. :-)

My toes were so sore by the time we got down to the bottom that they were already turning purple when I got home. Black big toes once again! Dang, I don't think those toes will ever look normal again. :-)