The Seven Devils, Idaho

 Day 1, Sunday August 16, 2020:

We (Lora, Krista, and Mary) started at the Windy Saddle Trailhead and began our journey in a clockwise direction at 9AM.  Elevation at the start was 7600 ft and quickly descended.  We turned and headed uphill to Cannon Lake for lunch.  This was reported in our guide book by Gary Jones to be one of the most swimable locations.  

Our trail undulated on our way to Dog Creek.  We decided to camp at Dog Creek at 7000 ft due to the steep climg up to Dog Lake and the heavy weight of our packs.  Our day's climb and descent was 1000 ft and 1600 ft respectively.  We were treated to a fire pit with log benches, a nice stream for a rinse off and treated to visiting deer to the site.

Day 2, Monday August 17, 2020:

We began our day planning for the dry day as we couldn't expect any water (all dry creek beds) until we would reach camp at Baldy Lake.  I carried 4 L and drank 3.5 L during the day.  It was another hot and sunny day requiring us to search out our shade for rests.  We ascended 1350 ft and descended 1100 ft over the day.  We had another good firepit and logs for our dinner area.  The lake made for a good swimming hole, but I do believe I only waded this day.  We had some sprinkles and weren't sure if our fire would be a go or not, but we lucked out with a great fire that night.  

We did pass a couple during the hike that told us about the trail to Echo Lake and He Devil Lake being impassable resulting in us having to change our plan for the next night.

Day 3, Tuesday August 18, 2020:

We started early again.  We were barked at by a pup and this would be the last time we saw other people for a couple days.  We were looking forward to hiking up to the Dry Diggins Lookout.  We lunched just before Hibbs Cow camp along a stream in a great shady location.  Then we pushed on to the junction with the trail to the Lookout.  

I trimmed my pack of some of its weight by leaving my Ursack safely in a tree crotch and removing the top of my pack that didn't include valuables or essentials.  The Lookout was amazing!  The views of the Snake river to the west and the Seven Devils to the east, much better than I could have expected.  

After spending some time at the lookout we returned to our trail junction to reclaim our belongings and headed downhill to Upper Bernard Lake.  Our day included ascending 1500 ft and descending 1550 ft.  Our camp had a beautiful fire ring but no good sitting, wonderful rock face to sit and watch the great sunset sky, and plenty of space for our 3 solo tents.  I got in a great swim just in time before the dry lightening began.  

Day 4, Wednesday August 19, 2020

We planned a day with a base camp for the ability to enjoy the lakes ahead of us.  We hiked on from Upper Bernard Lake, joined the meadow trail, then the spur trail to Basin Lake.  Upon arriving there, we set up camp for the day and had lunch.  We then readied our packs for the dayhike ahead of us.  

We hiked up, by Shelf Lake, Gem Lake, and to Sheep Lake.  

We saw moutain goats on the cliffs above Gem Lake.  I had a nice swim at Sheep Lake and we saw the first people since 2 days prior.  We then returned to Basin Lake for our normal daily camp chores.  Our altitude for the day incld ascending and descending 1700 ft.

Day 5, Thursday August 20, 2020

We slept in a little more today, I didn't roll out of the tent until 715AM, still getting on the trail at a descent time, though slightly later at 915 rather than our usual 9AM.  

We had some spectacular views witht he altitude changes, and had some close encounters with some mountain goats.  We watched the goats from afar, and due to them taking up our planned lunch location we pushed on a little further.  

Shortly after sitting down and breaking out lunch, those goats started to come towards us!  We tried to shoo them away, but were not able to.  We ended up moving on and eating among the wildflowers.  Before long we were back at the car and the loop was completed.  This day's altitude included ascending 1900 ft and descending 1700 ft.  

Our full trip included approximately 45 miles, 7,650 vertical feet, more wildflowers than I can name (fireweed, mariposa lillies, paintbrush, lupine, mountain heather, and so many I have yet to learn the names of) 2 or 3 deer, 8 mountain goats, numerous butterflies and birds - the birds I could identify were limited to the Osprey and Mountain Bluebirds, 1 puncture wound, numerous bruises, and a large number of blisters.