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Trip Number: 12315A
Price: $445
Deposit: $50
Capacity: 12
Staff: Rider Sporn
Highlights:
- Camp and work in the shadow of one of Idaho's highest peaks
- Fish for Cutthoart trout and Artic Grayling on your off time
Includes:
- All food and snacks
- Airport pick-up and drop-off
- Meals prepared by an experienced backwoods cook
The Trip
The Minidoka Ranger District is located in South-Central Idaho, south of the
Snake River. The topography is basin and range, with high mountain peaks that
hold snow for most of the summer and desert valleys.
Independence Lakes consist of five lakes that range in size from two to eight
acres. The lakes are set in a glacier cirque between 10,800-foot Cache Peak
on the south and Independence Peak on the north. Fishing in the lakes for Cutthroat
trout is excellent, and Arctic Grayling are also present.
Cache Peak or Independence Peak would make an excellent day hike from base
camp. These vantage points provide great views of three different states: Southern
Idaho, Northern Utah, and Northern Nevada.
The Project
Photo: Rider Sporn
Work projects could involve trail maintenance on the trail leading into and
past the lakes. This would include doing tread maintenance and brushing the
trail corridor. Improving campsites in appropriate locations could also be another
worthwhile project, which would discourage campsites located too close to the
lakes.
Itinerary
We will meet at the Twin Falls Airport on Sunday, August 5, where we will be
met by Forest Service personnel who will take us to the trailhead. From there,
we'll hike in to our base and set up our camp. Our first meal together will
be dinner at camp, so please be sure to pick up a lunch for day one at the airport.
From Monday through Friday we will work on our job assignment. We will have
a day off, most likely on Wednesday when we will have the chance to hike to
local peaks, fish, or just hang out and relax. Our schedule is subject to change,
depending on conditions and weather.
Getting There
Participants are responsible for getting to the Twin Falls Airport on their own. If you drive yourself, directions to the trailhead will be given at a later date.
Accommodations and Food
Photo: Rider Sporn
Come with the attitude that food is part of the adventure. Trip menu planning
considers that there may be no refrigeration and food must be protected from
animals. We provide healthy, nutritious, vegetarian-friendly meals with dairy
and soy products added to ensure proper protein, with occasional meat on the
side.
We have a group commissary with everyone taking turns in food preparation. Before applying for the trip, people with food allergies and/or strong food preferences must contact the cook to see if accommodations are possible.
Our first meal will be dinner on day one and our last meal will be breakfast on the final day.
Trip Difficulty
Because this is a backpacking trip, this trip should be considered moderately
strenuous. Beginners are welcome, but you need to be in good physical condition.
The work will require bending and lifting. Our hike in is a moderate 3.5 miles
with moderate elevation gain. We will be working at an elevation of about 8,000
feet. Fun and safety are our main objectives for the week. Participants are
encouraged to work at their own pace and challenge themselves to exceed their
own expectations.
Equipment and Clothing
Photo: Rider Sporn
In addition to your regular backpacking gear, you must bring two pairs of leather work gloves, a good pair of hiking boots, a pair of long pants, and a long-sleeved work shirt to wear while working.
You will need a day pack to carry your lunch, water, work gloves, raingear, sunscreen, etc. to the work site. You should also bring a bowl, cup, and eating utensils, as well as a leak-proof plastic food container for packing your lunch each day. Temperatures will range from nighttime lows in the 30s to daytime highs in the 90s, and everything from sunny days to hail/snow storms. You should bring clothing to cover a wide range of conditions. A detailed equipment list will be provided in your trip packet at a later time.
Also, while we will have a water purifying system for the kitchen, all participants are responsible for their own drinking water so they must bring their own water filter.
References
Conservation
The Sierra Club is an environmentally focused entity. We are concerned about conservation and sustainability of resources, both locally and globally. Our work is accomplished by volunteers and aided by a salaried staff, and encourages grassroots involvement. Our outings seek to empower participants toward greater understanding, advocacy and participation in the goals of the Club.
Some of the conservation issues concerning the Sawtooth are: prohibiting grazing
around the lakes, and preserving the Yellowstone cutthroat trout, which is a
Forest Service sensitive species, and sensitive plant species in the area. Because
useof the area is increasing, there is a growing need to provide good trails
to keep visitors on the established routes and to encourage visitors to camp
away from the lake shore in order to protect water quality. The Cache Peak Roadless
area is approximately 26,000 acres and was identified in the Sawtooth Forest
Plan as having wilderness characteristics, although it has not been proposed
for designation. The area is popular for hunters, especially deer hunters. There are also some issues with motorized use, although the area has been designated as a non-motorized area in the forest plan.
Trip Price
See the How to Apply for an Outing section for more details on registering for this trip and details
about our Reservation and Cancellation Policy.
The payment of a deposit does not confirm you as a member on the trip. Participants must be approved by the trip leader. After signing up for this trip, you will be sent a confirmation packet containing approval materials (Participant Approval Questionnaire, Medical Form, Liability Release Form). Each applicant (including those on the waitlist) must fill out these forms and promptly mail them to the trip leader. The leader will review the approval materials and notify you of your acceptance in a timely manner.
Staff
Leader:
Rider Sporn lives in the Driftless area of southwest Wisconsin where he raises Scottish Highland cattle, along with lots of other animals. He has been leading Service trips since 2003. Although he loves service trips for the sense of satisfaction they offer, his main goal is to get people outside to appreciate the wonders of this country's magnificent landscapes.
E-mail: ridertee@gmail.com
Cook:
Didi Toaspern is excited to be cooking this trip in an area that has long captured her imagination. She has been staffing service trips since 1986. The majority of her trips have been in the Klamath Mountain region of Northern California, but she has also led or cooked on trips in other parts of California, and in Idaho, Alaska, Colorado, Oregon, and Wyoming. For her, service trips are a magical combination of challenge, friendship, exertion, and fun, as well as a chance to fly fish in amazing places.
E-mail: dtoaspern@sbcglobal.net
General Notes About Sierra Club Trips