2021-09-06

Hell's Canyon, Emerald Lake, Idaho

 Hell's Canyon Wilderness, Emerald Lake Idaho

Emerald Lake, at approximately 7,000 feet (pass at 7,800'?), is part of the Seven Devils Mountain Range. 

From Council, Idaho, drive about 50 miles (2.5hr drive) to Black Lake Campground.  From there, it is a moderate hike of 5 or 6 miles with a full-pack.  Although Black Lake campground was fairly busy, we had the trail, and Emerald Lake, to ourselves for the entire trip.  We spent 3 days, intending 4, but forest fires further North filled the valleys with smoke, forcing an early departure.  

Emerald Lake only has one or two good camping spots.  A wide marsh at the inlet makes the West side of the lake unapproachable.  Traveling along the East side, near the inlet, is one spot suitable for a single tent.  Then a quarter-mile further is a camp that can hold three tents.  From then on, the lake-shore is too strewn with fallen timber and inclines to be camp-able.  The outlet has a few uneven spots for camping, along with room for pack animals, should you have such critters.

This trip is from late August, 2021.  Photographs taken with a Nikon D5100, and Tamaron 10-24mm.  All photographs hand-held and most were shot at 10mm.  I typically shoot at ISO 100.  Because good tripods are heavy, none of these photos are HDR.

A small tarn, on the left, as you cross the divide


Casey Mountain, at the divide, looking North, by North West


Looking down on Emerald Lake in the distance


At the approach to Emerald Lake
       

Along the East Side, with smoke and sunlight filtering through


Considering Hell's Canyon's penchant for being dry, the forest on the East side of the lake was surprisingly lush and moist. 


Looking towards the inlet


Catch and Release fingerlings


Stylized photo for Shutterfly Book Cover