Rapid River, Riggins ID

A narrow path, wide enough for a single pack horse, on the narrow defile for Rapid River

Riggins, ID -- The path that follows Rapid River provided the most interesting hike of this week: Bear hunters, a pack train, possibly gold, and some trees singed from tip to trunk from at least one lightning strike. My companion, Tammi, and I hiked for more than 5.5 miles and may have had an altitude gain of more than 1,000 feet, but we have to almost settle for the certainty of 300, although it seemed like a lot more. The fact that the path is like a roller coaster that rises and drops while it follows the river upstream is justification enough to claim another 100 feet for a total of 400 for the day.

Sometimes the path is bounded by an abrupt dropoff on one side and a steep wall on the other.

There were places where layers of rotten rock seemed eager to slip.

With a wall to her back, Tammi paused to view the white water rushing past.

White water streams through a narrow defile and under the first of three foot bridges.

At other points the river broadens out and there are banks and quiet pools.

In still water bordering one sandy bank there were specs of glitter. Is this gold?

Four horses -- one heavily laden -- and three riders. Hikers step off the trail to let them pass.

At the beginning of the hike there were two gentlemen dressed in camouflage who disclosed that they were hunting bear. The meat isn't necessarily prized, but with treatment, it's edible, they said. After encountering several hikers accoutered for different levels of outdoor adventure, we encountered a train of horses. The final of three riders had a rifle holster and a quiver of long arrows. They looked like they, too, were hunters, but we also imagined they might be prospectors. Do the flakes of gold get larger upriver?

The bark of this tree was heavy with soot. It had been struck by lightning, possible recently.

Not all of the path involved only narrow foot trails.

We also encountered balsamroot, something I hadn't seen since visiting Jackson Hole, Wyoming,

Stats for the day:

Distance: 5.5 miles
Load: 20 pound backpack
Elevation gain: At least 300 feet; probably 500-600 feet; maybe 1,000 feet, based on claims that Map My Hike keeps track of all ascending parts of the hike. I'll settle for 400 feet.

Stats for the year:

Distance to date: 76.2 miles
Elevation gain to date: 16,810 feet