Lone Lake

Just outside of Mullan ID. we pulled up to the trailhead for Lone Lake. Stevens Lakes were to the left and an easier and perhaps shorter hike but we decided that Lone Lake would be the better choice. Good call stoopid. After 1/2 mile on a jeep road we turned right up a steep double track that stretched on for over a mile to the west. After making it to the top of the incline we realized that bringing a map, or even some kind of directions, would have been a great idea.

This time turning left at the fork we were on to the correct trail. Another brutally steep 2 mile trail through clear cuts and new growth cedar forest. With our legs burning we reached a meadow of huckleberry and gooseberry that stretched on for 200 yards. Hindsight being 20/20 we thought that bear bells would be a good call for next time, so we yelled and clapped and sang bad songs to let the bear know we were there. I also explained that my .38, although small, would still sting when I shot that bear in the eyeball. I must say I was surprised not see one in this meadow. It's not like your hike through the local park. Nobody comes to this area on any regular basis and we saw not one other person the whole day on this hike from the parking place to the summit. Sketch!

After another big climb we pushed on to not one but two false summits before we reached the lake. All told about 2000 vertical from our starting point, not counting the mistaken 2 miles of vert in the wrong direction. The beautiful lake was its own reward and we stayed long enough to have a nice lunch and contemplate a swim before heading back to the trail-head. All in all a 5 hour hike to a little known lake in the North Idaho Bitterroot range. Reaching the truck was a relief and the ride home was a lesson in sore and stiff legs. A great way to spend a day off.

Would I do this hike again? NFW.
GBCH