A popular walking loop leads from the Chinook Campground in the Payette National Forest, along the banks of the Sesech River to the majestic Loon Lake. We woke up early on the Sunday of Labor Day weekend to tackle the hike, which impressed us not only with its beauty, but with a fascinating piece of history hidden within the woods.
Maybe it was all the Mountain Dew we'd been drinking, but Jürgen and I woke up on Saturday morning with an unquenchable thirst for crazy action. "Dude!" I yelled at him. "Extreeeeme!" came his frenzied reply. Mouths frothing, we examined our options. Repelling in the Sawtooths? Lame. Kayaking in Hell's Canyon? Snooze-ville. But what's this? An ice cream social in historic Roseberry? Sounds like it's time to get our party shoes on!
"Which one is it going to be?" I whispered to Jürgen after the pilots had finished up their morning briefing and were beginning to mingle with the passengers. "Hopefully that guy with the handlebar moustache!" As luck would have it, it was. The awesome dude with the handlebar moustache had seen his name on the placard we were holding, and approached us. "Quinn", he said, putting his hand out. "Eric Quinn".
Idaho has no shortage of incredible hikes, and we were overwhelmed with options when choosing the destination of our first big day out. Browsing through a formidable collection of books, pamphlets and online guides, the name "Lava Lakes" popped out. The eight-mile round-trip hike in the Payette National Forest sounded perfect, promising unforgettable wilderness, sweeping views, strange geology, wildlife and solitude. And it delivered.
