- Joined
- Feb 15, 2020
- Messages
- 480
This year - for the first time - my oldest son joined my brother and I on our yearly "guys trip". Obviously we cut down the intensity a lot from our normal trips, but this one ended up about as special as any of the others. And very relaxing, too!
I'd always had Silas Canyon flagged as a possibility for a quick weekend trip - owing to its easy-ish access and proximity to Lander. The trailhead is certainly a bit crowded over the weekend, but there's plenty of space out there and we were able to find our own space to enjoy. Camping at Island Lake was spectacular and a quick jaunt up to Thumb Lake on Day 2 was well worth it. We even had a bit of luck fishing!
But most of all I just loved having a few days in the wilderness with my brother and my son.
Day 1: Christina Lake TH to Island Lake
We crashed at a hotel in Lander the night preceding our hike - ate some pizza and swam in the indoor pool. (Kids love a hotel pool.
) On Saturday morning we started in high spirits - the plan was to hike about 5 miles up to Island Lake and camp there for two nights. The trailhead was pretty full, but the hike itself was beautiful.
Hiking with kids results in a few extra snack breaks - not complaining about that.
![20230812_094756.jpg 20230812_094756.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/123/123899-cc469adc5c2e9229f44d2ba60a0a62ee.jpg)
Entering the wilderness.
![20230812_105337(0).jpg 20230812_105337(0).jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/123/123900-fec1669871e50188416e0e9f80f1f496.jpg)
Crossing a stream.
![20230812_113716.jpg 20230812_113716.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/123/123901-3b5d8c4c8561155e842822aa15c4dfbd.jpg)
We had a lazy lunch at Upper Silas Lake.
![20230812_130856(0).jpg 20230812_130856(0).jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/123/123902-0a3d202a6bae1bf4b55365217ffd6f23.jpg)
And a little nap, too.
![20230812_141606.jpg 20230812_141606.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/123/123903-6477bae8e0c34fb51c5cd7f0fbfba8c7.jpg)
I really enjoyed the trail as it got higher and clearings became more common.
![20230812_150949.jpg 20230812_150949.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/123/123904-15417e6467960034be38e338a4510fe0.jpg)
We did a little fishing from our dinner spot before settling in.
![20230812_192503.jpg 20230812_192503.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/123/123905-268f72412827c99a75ddc17fa0c693d6.jpg)
Day 2: Day Hike to Thumb Lake
After a leisurely breakfast, we hiked the last mile up to Thumb Lake. This lake is only a little higher than Island Lake, but is largely above treeline so the views are spectacular. Really enjoyed the short hike. We're not the best fishermen, but we had a bit of success and a wonderful time. After returning to Island Lake, we did a bit more fishing in the late afternoon. Just a beautiful day all around.
Wonderful view from our breakfast spot.
![20230813_070048.jpg 20230813_070048.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/123/123906-ba9fb084d31280103eba10b4f6352512.jpg)
Looking down on two unnamed lakes (left/center) and Island Lake (distant center) on our way up to Thumb Lake.
![20230813_111217.jpg 20230813_111217.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/123/123908-3d8187517df7a1e8f19834a1c90d96f0.jpg)
Arriving at Thumb Lake.
![20230813_112819.jpg 20230813_112819.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/123/123909-8652b595f4acf0807fcf8e5cdf6c957d.jpg)
My brother's first fish of the trip - not exactly a trophy, but fun nonetheless.
![20230813_120023.jpg 20230813_120023.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/123/123910-4855f9cd60ae2d04a9adb56583dd2259.jpg)
Never managed to land one of the bigger fish (we saw a few), but had a decent amount of luck on the fly rod w/ the little guys.
![20230813_130648.jpg 20230813_130648.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/123/123911-550138484adc0f6105c6f8b9a5404e0f.jpg)
Teaching the next generation of backcountry trip reporter.
![20230813_133043.jpg 20230813_133043.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/123/123912-e3f1c2ec09b5c6c03c85b8d90a3cfb81.jpg)
Can't go to the Winds w/o at least a little rock hopping!
![20230813_133801.jpg 20230813_133801.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/123/123913-e2ef774f0f41b18d4e8049b800877815.jpg)
Seconds before I am hit w/ a (pretty icy) snowball.
![20230813_134153.jpg 20230813_134153.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/123/123914-729bfdde55089d265be7a063f339b1c6.jpg)
"Daddy, do you know where we're going?"
![20230813_135112.jpg 20230813_135112.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/123/123918-2872b17247e03ff4f1b6ae43a118b96b.jpg)
Lazy afternoon fishing. My son and brother caught a few, though I'd apparently used up all my luck at Thumb Lake.
![EDIT_20230813_163752.jpg EDIT_20230813_163752.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/123/123919-b6ee55141d939618855568129eef4f4d.jpg)
Brought the e-reader so we could both do a little reading at bed time.
![EDIT_20230813_201332.jpg EDIT_20230813_201332.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/123/123920-ce391fc104e0341b5a9c008bb8df3c11.jpg)
Day 3: Island Lake to Christina Lake TH
The final day would be short and sweet - just a 5 mile return to the Christina Lake trailhead. The trail was much less crowded today compared to the weekend - not sure we saw anyone on the way down.
Good spirits on our way out.
![20230814_071237(0).jpg 20230814_071237(0).jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/123/123921-14644fa16a4ee1765d9d7b84a02c41f9.jpg)
Had to get an extra cheeseburger w/ our post-hike McDonald's.
![20230814_114533.jpg 20230814_114533.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/123/123922-87e1430a4d7da241b5ae1a6d0ed4bde6.jpg)
Certainly not my most intense trip of the year, but possibly the most special. My son has done a few backpacking trips previously, but this was the most ambitious yet - I foresee many more to come. It's only a matter of time before I'm the one holding us back.![lol :lol: :lol:](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)
I'd always had Silas Canyon flagged as a possibility for a quick weekend trip - owing to its easy-ish access and proximity to Lander. The trailhead is certainly a bit crowded over the weekend, but there's plenty of space out there and we were able to find our own space to enjoy. Camping at Island Lake was spectacular and a quick jaunt up to Thumb Lake on Day 2 was well worth it. We even had a bit of luck fishing!
But most of all I just loved having a few days in the wilderness with my brother and my son.
Day 1: Christina Lake TH to Island Lake
We crashed at a hotel in Lander the night preceding our hike - ate some pizza and swam in the indoor pool. (Kids love a hotel pool.
Hiking with kids results in a few extra snack breaks - not complaining about that.
![20230812_094756.jpg 20230812_094756.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/123/123899-cc469adc5c2e9229f44d2ba60a0a62ee.jpg)
Entering the wilderness.
![20230812_105337(0).jpg 20230812_105337(0).jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/123/123900-fec1669871e50188416e0e9f80f1f496.jpg)
Crossing a stream.
![20230812_113716.jpg 20230812_113716.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/123/123901-3b5d8c4c8561155e842822aa15c4dfbd.jpg)
We had a lazy lunch at Upper Silas Lake.
![20230812_130856(0).jpg 20230812_130856(0).jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/123/123902-0a3d202a6bae1bf4b55365217ffd6f23.jpg)
And a little nap, too.
![20230812_141606.jpg 20230812_141606.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/123/123903-6477bae8e0c34fb51c5cd7f0fbfba8c7.jpg)
I really enjoyed the trail as it got higher and clearings became more common.
![20230812_150949.jpg 20230812_150949.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/123/123904-15417e6467960034be38e338a4510fe0.jpg)
We did a little fishing from our dinner spot before settling in.
![20230812_192503.jpg 20230812_192503.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/123/123905-268f72412827c99a75ddc17fa0c693d6.jpg)
Day 2: Day Hike to Thumb Lake
After a leisurely breakfast, we hiked the last mile up to Thumb Lake. This lake is only a little higher than Island Lake, but is largely above treeline so the views are spectacular. Really enjoyed the short hike. We're not the best fishermen, but we had a bit of success and a wonderful time. After returning to Island Lake, we did a bit more fishing in the late afternoon. Just a beautiful day all around.
Wonderful view from our breakfast spot.
![20230813_070048.jpg 20230813_070048.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/123/123906-ba9fb084d31280103eba10b4f6352512.jpg)
Looking down on two unnamed lakes (left/center) and Island Lake (distant center) on our way up to Thumb Lake.
![20230813_111217.jpg 20230813_111217.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/123/123908-3d8187517df7a1e8f19834a1c90d96f0.jpg)
Arriving at Thumb Lake.
![20230813_112819.jpg 20230813_112819.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/123/123909-8652b595f4acf0807fcf8e5cdf6c957d.jpg)
My brother's first fish of the trip - not exactly a trophy, but fun nonetheless.
![20230813_120023.jpg 20230813_120023.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/123/123910-4855f9cd60ae2d04a9adb56583dd2259.jpg)
Never managed to land one of the bigger fish (we saw a few), but had a decent amount of luck on the fly rod w/ the little guys.
![20230813_130648.jpg 20230813_130648.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/123/123911-550138484adc0f6105c6f8b9a5404e0f.jpg)
Teaching the next generation of backcountry trip reporter.
![20230813_133043.jpg 20230813_133043.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/123/123912-e3f1c2ec09b5c6c03c85b8d90a3cfb81.jpg)
Can't go to the Winds w/o at least a little rock hopping!
![20230813_133801.jpg 20230813_133801.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/123/123913-e2ef774f0f41b18d4e8049b800877815.jpg)
Seconds before I am hit w/ a (pretty icy) snowball.
![20230813_134153.jpg 20230813_134153.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/123/123914-729bfdde55089d265be7a063f339b1c6.jpg)
"Daddy, do you know where we're going?"
![20230813_135112.jpg 20230813_135112.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/123/123918-2872b17247e03ff4f1b6ae43a118b96b.jpg)
Lazy afternoon fishing. My son and brother caught a few, though I'd apparently used up all my luck at Thumb Lake.
![EDIT_20230813_163752.jpg EDIT_20230813_163752.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/123/123919-b6ee55141d939618855568129eef4f4d.jpg)
Brought the e-reader so we could both do a little reading at bed time.
![EDIT_20230813_201332.jpg EDIT_20230813_201332.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/123/123920-ce391fc104e0341b5a9c008bb8df3c11.jpg)
Day 3: Island Lake to Christina Lake TH
The final day would be short and sweet - just a 5 mile return to the Christina Lake trailhead. The trail was much less crowded today compared to the weekend - not sure we saw anyone on the way down.
Good spirits on our way out.
![20230814_071237(0).jpg 20230814_071237(0).jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/123/123921-14644fa16a4ee1765d9d7b84a02c41f9.jpg)
Had to get an extra cheeseburger w/ our post-hike McDonald's.
![20230814_114533.jpg 20230814_114533.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/123/123922-87e1430a4d7da241b5ae1a6d0ed4bde6.jpg)
Certainly not my most intense trip of the year, but possibly the most special. My son has done a few backpacking trips previously, but this was the most ambitious yet - I foresee many more to come. It's only a matter of time before I'm the one holding us back.