Hell's Canyon, Emerald Lake, Idaho

 Hell's Canyon Wilderness, Emerald Lake Idaho, USA.  August, 2021

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 the starting-off point, Black Lake Campground.  From there, it is a moderate hike of 5 or 6 miles with a full-pack.  Although Black Lake campground was 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, and forced 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.

Photographs taken with a Nikon D5100 APC, 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.  Smokey sunset. 
Ultimately, the smoke drove us out.

Catch and Release fingerlings

Stylized photo for Shutterfly Book Cover

Madhuban Indian Cuisine, Boise ID

 Madhuban Indian restaurant, Boise, Idaho

Cellphone photo, late afternoon sun through the doorway.
Click for larger view.

Koenig Winery, Caldwell Idaho

 Koenig Winery, Caldwell Idaho
Cellphone Snapshots on a pleasant fall afternoon

Bruneau Idaho, Fence Line

Fence Line, Near Bruneau Sand Dunes, Idaho 2018
Trying out the new Tamaron APC 10-24mm wide-angle

Click for larger view

HDR

HDR

Bruneau Sand Dunes

Bruneau Canyon, HDR

See also:
Bruneau Hotsprings and Resort
https://imageliner.blogspot.com/2024/06/bruneau-hotsprings-and-resort.html

Adelmann Mine

 Adelmann Mine trail, East of Boise, Idaho

Just a short drive outside of Boise is the Adelmann mine.  The Mine's history is murky, with the date built unclear.  It stopped operations around 1903 and reportedly mined for gold, silver, lead, pyrite, and quartz.  Nearby, the main mine shaft has been dynamited shut.  The rails for hand-carts, leading from the shaft to the mill were still there.

Drive East of Boise, along Highway 21.  Just past Lucky Peak Dam, crest Hilltop Cafe, and another half-mile down the hill is a State Highway Maintenance facility.  Park on the outside of the gates and walk through the yard.  The trail is not well marked but is easy to follow. 

The hike is 2.5 miles (but feels like 5) with a moderately steep climb, 1300 feet elevation gain.  We carried a liter of water and a light lunch.

These photos are handheld snapshots taken November, 2019 and it was late in the day by the time we were done.  Because of the hills, sunset was about 3:00pm.  Nikon D5100, APC.

Click for larger view.

Looking down the valley

Keywords:  Adelman mine, Alderman mine (sic)