Yesterday I went to the library. I rode my bike after work, and when I rode home I took the path along the river.
It was pretty nice outside, around 70 degrees. The clouds were threatening rain, but not following through. The trees were starting to bud and blossom, filling the air with scents green and sweet. The Boise River was flowing high, rushing past over sections of bed long dry from the winter.
This was the kind of day that is both soothing and a tease. The spring air was calming, the water sounds a delight. I finished that ride in a happy mood, but at the same time, I wanted to be out on the trail. I wanted to surround myself with dirt and grass and blooming trees and spend the night under the stars, no matter how cold it would inevitably get overnight at this time of year.
And it won’t be too long before I start getting out there.
I just need to hope that the snow starts melting fast along the Lime Creek trail system or I’m going to have to split my solo trip up in a lot of pieces this season.
I have been considering what to do if the Lime Creek area isn’t going to be ready for hiking by my last set of dates in mid-May. One option is to do the desert part from Hammett as far north as possible to a point that meets the road. Maybe the intersection of Featherville/Pine Forest Highway and High Prairie Road or all the way to the Hunter Creek Trailhead if the roads are in shape for it. Then take a weekend sometime later in the summer, late June or late July maybe and finish up the remainder. And if I do that, I might as well do another little segment, from Stanley Lake to the edge of the Frank Church Wilderness.
Actually, I think that’s the only option if Lime Creek is still snowed in. I can handle hiking through some snow, but I’m not going to risk my life if the trail is so covered as to be completely invisible. I don’t want to try that on an unfamiliar trail. I know how easy it is to get lost when snow covers the trail even when I know the area well. I take risks when I hike, but I calculate them.
Even if the lure of the spring air is tempting me to go forward no matter what…