Hiking The Rapid River Trail 113 Again

Sunday, the 25th, we hiked the Rapid River Trail 113, a trail we hiked 4 years ago and thought it was a great walk.  Last time we were there during the snow melt and the river was pretty wild and vicious.  Lots of foam, roar of the water could be heard from the car.  This time, still had white water and heard the river from above on the trail but muted. And of course the time of year - last time spring run off and this time drought, end of summer.

Very nice!

2 1/2 mile drive into the canyon to pick up the trail

On our drive into the trail we passed the Rapid River Fish Hatchery which we toured 4 years ago.  This time it is closed to the public.  Idaho Power who owns the facility is doing some major upgrades and hope to be back open to the public by next July.  Glad we saw it then, was very impressed with the operation.

You trip and fall down to left - rut-roh!

Trail can be seen to right along cliff

Dropped down to river level for quite awhile

Started on the walk and noticed the trail was well used, but has had to be rebuilt in places.  Erosion possibly or snow melt ? from the past has definitely taken its toll but has been repaired.  The very beginning of the trail was redone, seems the initial start has fallen away to the river below, and, it’s a really big drop off to the water!  Saw cows grazing in the river near the start - wondered where they belonged.

Pristine 

Our lunch spot, same as 4 years ago

We hiked to the point we think we stopped at last time, did not make it to the second bridge.  The sun was really baking us and we had not done any hiking in 2 weeks and our stamina was not there.  As it was we did hike about 3 miles, just got too tired to continue knowing we had to back track.

Swarms of bees covering this bush

Looked like it had been used by animals

Owl eyes?

Did not see any wildlife.  Not even tracks (unless you call horse poop signs).  Did see one eagle just as we started out on the hike but no other birds.  Some impressive caves, wondered if animals had used them.  Tracks across the river on the cliffs of possibly mountain sheep.  Did see deer poop, but very quiet.  Passed 6 hikers coming back, no one going forward.

On our way back

Mama, MIA! The cow must have a head ache!

Stopped at a flat rock right on the river’s edge and had our lunch, then came back to the car.  On our drive back out of the trailhead, passed some cows in a pasture and one of them - to me - looked like it had a really bad headache.  It’s horns were deformed, at least that’s what it looked like.  Never seen them that thick.  Poor cow.