East Idaho backpacking suggestions

blueeyes

ephemeral excursionist
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Jan 17, 2012
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Ello all!!

Can't believe I have been in Idaho for over a year now all been a blur, fun blur, but a blur. I am looking for some suggestions on a backpacking trip for later this week. A simple over nighter within 3 hours of Idaho Falls. Spencer and I are incomplete shock because Sarah has agreed to join us. With that said some of you may recall her first and what I thought would be her only backpack trip into and out of Havasupai a few years back (there is a trip report somewhere on here about that adventure). We really want to make this a less rigourous trip so that maybe she will make a 3rd backpack trip with us.

With that said a hike that is easy not a lot of elevation gain and not too long maybe 6 -8 miles with pretty scenery. We plan on going Thursday for one night. Somewhere with water that we could play in would be nice. A friend at work suggested Warm River area and if no one here has a better suggestion we will do that hike.
 
I do know that Palisades is a backpacking option but we are mountain biking it on Tuesday and would like something new for our backpack trip.
 
3 hours from Idaho Falls will put you within reach of the Taylor-Hilgard area of the Lee Metcalf Wilderness north of Hebgen Lake. Avalanche and Blue Danube Lakes area off the West Fork Beaver Creek make a great over-nighter. About 4.5 to 5 miles. Trail follows the creek so water really isn't a problem. Some REALLY nice scenery. The only caveat is it is most definitely bear country and proper bear etiquette needs to be followed. Bear spray a must. No permits required.

The Hilgard Basin/Expedition Pass area from Potamogeton Park trail head would be another option but that is about 3 miles longer and probably more than what you want for this trip.
 
Aldous Lake just north of Kilgore is the perfect beginners trip. I take the scouts on it every year. It can be as short (1 1/2 miles in) or long as you want it because it is on a section of the Continental Divide Trail. The hike to Aldous lake only goes up 500 feet or so. My 8 year old did it with a full pack. You can also hike another mile to Hancock lake. It would be about 5 miles total.
 
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Anything from behind Targhee Ski area.....nice USFS campground accesses long canyons all the way up to a Teton view. A lot off of the Grassy Lake road out of Ashton. East out of Island Park you can access Yellowstone backcountry...
 
I do love the Teton views! Planning on riding Phillips Ridge or downhilling at Targhee this Sunday so out of the options I have been given I think we will try Aldous Lake because if Sarah is not into the hiking we can stop there but if all is good we will push to Hanncock. Plus I can take care of running a buddy saddle up to relatives in Ashton after we finish hiking on Friday.
 
Quick update. No suprise we didn't (refraise that) I didn't get to do the Aldous backpack trip. My daughter simply refuses to backpack and Spencer ended up with a job in Yellowstone. Anyhoo... very excited that finally in October I have been invited on a backpack trip in Yellowstone. Spencer will finish up working in Yellowstone and he is going to join us. Can't wait!!! I am reading trip reports fevershily to get motivated!
 
Quick update. No suprise we didn't (refraise that) I didn't get to do the Aldous backpack trip. My daughter simply refuses to backpack and Spencer ended up with a job in Yellowstone. Anyhoo... very excited that finally in October I have been invited on a backpack trip in Yellowstone. Spencer will finish up working in Yellowstone and he is going to join us. Can't wait!!! I am reading trip reports fevershily to get motivated!
Sorry it didn't work out but glad you didn't push her too hard.
 
@pstm13 Oh I already did that. Hence the reason she will no longer backpack with me. But in my defense the trip I took her on she wanted to go. It is on BCP it was to Havasupai. It took me 10 hours I think to get her out. Never has my patience been tested like it was that trip.
 
@pstm13 Oh I already did that. Hence the reason she will no longer backpack with me. But in my defense the trip I took her on she wanted to go. It is on BCP it was to Havasupai. It took me 10 hours I think to get her out. Never has my patience been tested like it was that trip.
That sucks. Havasupai is on my bucket list. Maybe she was holding out for a chopper ride :)
 
She wanted one. In hind site it would have saved me money and time.
 
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