Day 15: The North Fork of the Salmon River

[Emily]:

It’s going to be a fine day when you wake up on the shores of a gorgeous high country lake. We woke up early and departed Abbott Lake excited about hiking out towards our friends meeting us for a resupply the following day.

Erin and I had hiked this route along the North Fork of the Salmon River two years ago on our first backpacking trip together. The trail leads to more great lakes such as English, Hancock and Diamond Lake. Fortunately that trip went well enough (though I did forget to pack the coffee much to Erin’s chagrin!), that we continue to hike together into new adventures.

So many great spots along the North Fork. 

So the most notable achievement today was crossing the North Fork of the Salmon River six times. The first when it was just a wee stream, the fifth when it was deep and fast, the sixth at a wide, easy ford. The hike out was full of big trees, mostly ponderosa pine, Douglas-fir, and incense cedar, and we also saw quaking aspen and Oregon boxwood.

We passed many great swimming holes some of which we had jumped in before but we pressed on to Mule Bridge campground where we promptly jumped in the big hole beneath the bridge.

Total miles: 12.5