My old adventure partner Dan contacted me earlier this summer and wanted to get together for a multi-day backpacking trip. We kicked around a few ideas then selected one of my favorite places in the world, Nick Lake. It’s not just my favorite because my daughter is called Nik, it is just way cool!
The trail to access the lake soon pretty much disappears and the adventure begins. Dan and I spent about a decade or so (pre Davefaitlemonde) doing crazy adventure mountain bike rides in the backcountry of Idaho. We have both slowed down a little but defiantly enjoy getting out where few people go…… albeit at a much slower pace.
Here are a couple of images of Dan from nearly 20 years ago. Back in those days we were pushing the bounds of Idaho backcountry mountain biking, going places where mountain bikes had never been and many likely have not been since. There was nobody in the Northwest US more badass than Dan and he taught me just about everything I know about mountain biking…….
The climb up and over into the Nick Lake basin certainly doesn’t look as hard as it was.
Views of the Upper Idler Creek Basin.
Dan and his dog Sade seemed to enjoy the beat down hike….. well at least Dan did!
After about 5-1/2 hours of hard going, we crested the ridge and acquired our target.
Once on the ridge, the party isn’t quite over as you must work your way down.
Dan takes a moment to soak it in while Sade enjoyed the recent snowmelt. You can just see through the trees a large bank of mid July snow. We worked our way to camp and settled in for the evening, Dan, Sade, myself and about a billion bugs!
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