Hiker. Blogger. Photographer. CrossFitter. Dog Owner. Austinite.
Rainy Hike to Tenlake Basin
Sand Mountain rises above an unnamed lake in Tenlake Basin.
My third day in the Sawtooth Wilderness was a wet one. Rain started falling at my campsite beside Rock Slide Lake around 2 a.m. Thunder woke me around 4:30, and it rained heavily for an hour or so with occasional rumbles of thunder echoing off the mountainsides. My hammock and all my gear stayed dry under my new canopy, a significant improvement over the hammock’s original tarp.
It was probably 40 degrees when I decided to exit the hammock, hopeful the mosquitoes were not out in force in the early morning. That was wishful thinking. At least shafts of light from the rising sun were finding gaps in the clouds to light the fallen face of the unnamed peak across the lake, and it appeared the rain might be moving out of the area.
Rock Slide Lake between rains.
The clouds returned as I was breaking camp. Three times that morning, I retreated under the canopy with my gear to wait out a rain shower … and hail. Pea-sized hailstones pelted the canopy twice. But there was no thunder or lightning, and no significant wind, so it was simply a pleasant, though inconvenient, diversion. I could see the rain hitting the lake, and the chilly air smelled fresh and clean.
I hit the trail around 9 a.m. in all my rain gear. Having learned my lesson in Yosemite, I was carrying a rain jacket, Dri Ducks pants, and an umbrella, all of which was required on this day, especially since I had lost my waterproof hat the day before.
The trail circles the eastern shore of Rock Slide Lake, then provides an opportunity to see the namesake slide up close. The trail makes a gentle climb past a marshy meadow with terrific views back toward Rock Slide Lake, its two tiny islands, and the misty mountains beyond.
Misty mountains loom beyond Rock Slide Lake
A light drizzle formed and quickly stopped as I crossed an almost imperceptible ridge to stunning views of gorgeous Lake Ingeborg. I had only been hiking for about half an hour, so a long stay on these wildflower covered shores was not practical. I removed my pack and quickly ate a protein bar while alternating my gaze between the purple and yellow flowers and the occasionally sunlit line of cliffs tracing the lake’s western shore. Puffy white clouds billowed overhead, while significantly lower, gray clouds streamed by rapidly. I thought to myself that I’d better enjoy this break in the rain and soak up the views while I could.
A moment of sunshine at Lake Ingeborg
Indeed, it began to rain again as I pulled my pack onto my back and started off toward the Spangle Lakes. In between was an unnamed lake at the base of Pt. 9462, which resembled a smaller Rock Slide Lake. The opposite shore was was buried by fallen boulders, and two tiny patches of lingering snow clung to the rocks. The rain picked up in intensity, and I became chilled. I began looking for a sheltered spot where I could de-pack, put on warmer clothes, and, hopefully, wait out the rain.
The trail heads northeast toward the largest Spangle Lake, tracing its shoreline for several hundred meters and then crossing its outlet over a series of mostly stable fallen logs. Pt. 9918 peeks over the humped mountain behind the lake. Near a trail junction, I found a large, mostly dry rock upon which I sat for about 20 minutes while the rain fell. There was not enough coverage from the trees, so the spot turned out not to provide much shelter, so I pressed on.
The trail climbs to a saddle between Pt. 9918 and Glens Peak. The ridge between them separates this area (the Middle Fork Boise River drainage) from Tenlake Basin. The rain increased in intensity.
About 200 feet above the Spangle Lakes, a switchback ended directly beneath a quartet of huge spruce trees which served as an enormous umbrella. A large, dry boulder sat against one of the giant trunks. Here I sat and rested for half an hour, until the rain stopped. I put on some warmer clothes, ate a snack, and enjoyed being able to put the umbrella down for awhile. The unbroken gray sky began to show some details, so I concluded the worst had passed and continued up toward the pass.
From the 8,952-foot pass, the summit of Glens Peak was lost in the clouds. To the northwest, the jagged point of an unnamed summit was nearly obscured by mist and clouds. The rubble of broken rock beneath it was clear, as was the zig-zagging trail cutting across it. The gloom grew thicker, and I thought it was going to rain all the rest of the day.
Looking up from the pass after entering gloomy Tenlake Basin
A quick, sharp 400-foot descent across the rock slide led to a long, gentle path to Ardeth Lake. I imagine it is as scenic as some of the others, but the rain and clouds obscured much of the vistas.
Glens Peak remained hidden in the clouds, which seemed to sink into the basin. The rain stopped long enough to stop for another snack and brief rest. Not long after, I reached another trail junction, which served as an opportunity to go back. This trail follows Tenlake Creek until it reaches the South Fork Payette River. If I go on, I commit myself to several more days, as I will have to cross the mountains to reach my resupply by Pettit Lake.
Of course I was going onward, so I waved to unseen hikers down the trail and rounded Ardeth Lake on my way to Vernon and Edna Lakes. The trail climbs over a ridge, then descends toward the lakes. Before reaching them, the trail passes the scenic, unnamed lake pictured at the top of this post. The clouds in Tenlake Basin cleared enough to reveal the oddly colored Sand Mountain standing beneath a building thunderhead. It looked like the weather could worsen. Fortunately, I was nearing my destination.
I reached Vernon Lake a little after 3 p.m. A hill rose just to the north, covered by rocks and trees. I decided to check it out as a possible place to camp and a hopeful reprieve from the mosquitoes (or at least the hordes of them). I found a terrific spot between two spruce trees with a series of rock benches for my gear. Fearing some afternoon thunderstorms, I decided my day was done. My rain gear did its job, but the Dri Ducks were full of holes. Apparently, they’re great if you don’t play rough with them, like sit on rocks.
My third night campsite perched above Vernon Lake
The campsite did not provide views of either lake, though a short walk returned me to the scenic shore of Vernon Lake. Breaks through the trees afforded excellent views of the unnamed peak dividing three counties to the south and of Sand Mountain to the northeast.
The storms never materialized. In fact, the clouds broke apart, and the sun came out to play. I spent the last hour of daylight on a series of boulders beside Vernon Lake, watching the slow changes of color on the knife ridge behind the lake.
I saw no people on this day, the second straight without seeing a soul. Later, while I was writing in my notebook, I heard a pair of horse trains go by on the trail below, and could faintly hear voices from a campsite near Edna Lake. “Kind of comforting to hear that horse party,” I wrote. “At least there’s someone else out here.” My ploy to avoid the mosquitoes worked, as the dry hill above the lakes was mostly devoid of the bloodsuckers.
The next day would require traversing two mountain passes, Sand Mountain and Snowyside. There was a chance the latter could still have lingering snow. Either way, the day would see two big elevation gains and losses.
Sand Mountain, as seen from camp the afternoon before I take on its namesake pass
That view of Sand Mountain was had through the trees from a point on the hilltop about 30 yards from my campsite. The clouds were quickly departing, setting up what I expected would be a crystal clear evening.
“Reckon it will be a COLD night tonite,” I wrote, shortly before retiring for the night, too tired after 7 miles of trekking and hours of rain dodging to wait for the stars to shine.
Sand Mountain Above an Unnamed Lake, SW09-0814-5370R, UTM 11T 0660306 E 4869569 N; Rock Slide Lake Between Rains, SW09-0814-5275R, 0656318 E 4868502 N; Misty Mountains Beyond Rock Slide Lake, SW09-0814-5291R, 0656486 E 4868216 N; Scenic Lake Ingeborg, SW09-0814-5294R, 0657013 E 4868265 N; Entering Tenlake Basin, SW09-0814-5336R, 0658605 E 4868421 N; Campsite Above Vernon Lake, SW09-0814-5385R, 0661236 E 4869924 N; and Sand Mountain in Late Afternoon, SW09-0814-5386R, Sawtooth Wilderness, Boise National Forest, Idaho | ©2009 Jeff Blaylock
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