Box Lake sits at 7200 feet and is reached by a short, but strenuous 4 mile hike, with an elevation gain of 1800 feet. This trail is for moderately experienced backpackers, and would not take first-time hikers.
In late August, after the lake's level has dropped, there is a fun, sandy beach. Many day-hike to the lake, bringing their dogs, and lunch.
Around the lake, we saw the usual litany of chipmunks, and deer, along with a good crop of black crested mountain blue jays (Stellar's Jay). There were no mosquitoes. Along he trail there was an occasional huckleberry here-and-there, especially on the north slopes. At night, a squadron of bats raced across the lake.
Photos:
All photos are straight, non HDR, taken without a tripod. I used a polarizer.
These photos were taken halfway up the box canyon, a mile or so, off-trail.
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| Box Lake, looking North. Click for a larger view. |
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| Box Lake, looking North |
Just beyond Box Lake, directly North, are two lakes called the "Sisters". Only the larger of the two Sister's lakes is of interest, with the smaller being little more than a pond. Fishing is reportedly spectacular in the larger lake.
We followed a trail on the West side of Box Lake, looking for Sisters. We crossed a forested area, burned in the early 1990's, because of felled timber, and because we did not use a map, we got lost and overshot the lakes. Instead, we should have hiked to Box Lake's outlet, and followed the drainage up to the other lakes.
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| On the Box Lake Trail, past Sisters, en route to Heart Lake |
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| Forested Burn from the mid 1990's. Undergrowth trees are about 4' tall. The polarizer is evident. Click for larger view. |
From McCall, Idaho, turn right onto Lick Creek Road, driving 11 miles. The road is maintained and well marked. Stop at the Box Lake trail head. We arrived Saturday and stayed until Monday. By Sunday, we had the lake to ourselves.
From the trail-head, immediately begin climbing on a moderately steep trail. The trail stays on a brisk climb for almost the entire hike, with only a few blessedly-level meadows. This is not a technical climb, but it is tiring. A full pack will take about 4 to 5 hours. Day hikers make the climb in under 2 hours. Water is available for the first third of the trail. In late August, we used about 2 liters of water per-person on the climb.
At the summit, the trail drops quickly down to the lake, losing 600 feet. That 600' is noticeable both directions.
As you approach the lake, there are two wonderful camping spots, one on the right, and the other on the left. Continuing to the left, two more, but rockier spots are about 30 yards away, behind the prime spots.
If there is no room at the Inn, continue further left, along the West side of the lake. About mid-way around the lake, is a delightfully shady camping spot, surrounded by an extraordinary number of fallen and mature trees. I liked this spot and would stay there the next time I visit. At the far end (the outlet) are additional spots we did not explore. The entire East side of the lake is uninhabitable, with boulders and falling rock.
The return trip, along the same trail, is downhill all the way. The trail is steep and slippery, with gravel and debris. Your calves will be angry. Using a careful pace, and with lighter packs, the return was two and a half hours, without taking breaks.
