Mike looking down onto Prairie Lakes
Link to detailed route page and map click on route title 
Baker Creek Backpack trip
Sitting in the warm evening sun, sheltered from the wind, overlooking Prairie Lake where we are camping for the evening. Have got over my head cold and so nice today to be feeling in good shape on our hike.
We decided to do a 2 day Circuit for our second backpack. Starting from a campsite close to the trailhead at the end of Baker Creek Road, (where we have parked our RV, and will camp on our return – already looking forward to lamb chops in the Brai!) we took the trail up to Norton Lakes. Had our peanut butter sarnies at the first lake, most welcome after a 1,600 ft climb. Then on a short way to the second lake which was beautifully framed by the basin we had to climb up out of to reach a saddle to cross into the next valley.
On the way up Norton Pass
The hike up was steep and we took our time enjoying the views down onto both lakes and the surrounding mountains. Were a tad concerned that we might have to make our way over a cornice, or turn back! However, as it happened there was an easy route through the snow bank on the saddle. Relief all round!
We had a very steep 1000 ft descent down to Milner lake which was beautiful to look down on when we were not having to concentrate on where we were putting our feet. Saw a guy in a hammock camping at the outflow of Milner lake, very well camouflaged – but no worries our destination was another couple of miles on, round a shoulder to another valley, leading to Prairie Lakes. These were the lakes we wanted to hike up to on our first day hike in the Sawtooths, but were defeated by the snow. Still quite a lot around but much more compacted and not a problem today. Tomorrow’s hike up to another pass looks a bit snowier.
Found a lovely campsite in the trees by the lake, no one else around. Had time for our bird bath and stir fry for dinner. Yum.
Before I forget this morning on our drive in we saw a young male elk in the meadow where we camped after Fox Peak trail
Day 2
We both slept well, had a nocturnal break to answer natures calls and took the opportunity to admire the stars, beautiful. Did not emerge from our bags until nearly half seven. There was a cold wind blowing and as today was a short day (about 7.5 miles) had no desire for an early start. As it was after a couple of cups of tea and breakfast porridge it was 10.30 before we hoisted our bags. Bliss.
My prediction last night that the trail would be snowy was borne out. The first section of the day up to a col overlooking Prairie Lake involved picking our way through numerous snags in the forest round the upper lake and then navigating a trail through the snow (first outing for our crampons) up to the col. The path was on the other side of the Gultch to that shown on the map so we were off trail until reaching the col. Very glad to have my crampons on this section, but it did reinforce how hard it is walking through semi compacted summer snow with a backpack on. A few times I managed to sink to my shins (only one sense of humour failure) and then try to lever myself up into a patch of firmer snow. GORP break at the top. Very nice.
We then followed the path down into a more desolate V shaped valley, partly due to numerous rock falls and an old fire from which saplings are only now starting to grow. The path shortly turned back up a slope towards another ridge we needed to hike along. The hike up was quite difficult in places due to remnants of snow on the path combined with significant exposure and scree slides. Not a place to slip. Both felt like lunch when we crested that ridge and found a lovely place to have our pasta stir fry left overs looking out across the valley we would walk back along to the trailhead.
Highlight of our hike back down the valley was the river, the course of which the path broadly followed, as well as a shady stop where I reclined in the grass leaning against my/bag. Mike said I looked too comfortable.
Now back in our RV, nice and clean, drinking a G+ T as I write this looking forward to dinner and a relaxing evening planning our next adventure.
See the video of our trip below. Underneath there is a compilations of photos.
Compilation of photos, press play to view
