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.
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A small tarn, on the left, as you cross the divide
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Casey Mountain, at the divide, looking North, by North West
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Looking down on Emerald Lake in the distance
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At the approach to Emerald Lake
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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.
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Looking towards the inlet. Smokey sunset.
Ultimately, the smoke drove us out.
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Catch and Release fingerlings
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Stylized photo for Shutterfly Book Cover
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