A Selkirk Adventure: Two Mouth Lakes

They may be cousins but both Laura and Annie took along their masks for riding in the pickup. 

Camping cousins:  Laura and Annie

What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger!

Our family members lived this mantra yesterday on a visit to Two Mouth Lakes in the Selkirk Mountains northwest of Bonners Ferry.

Two family members, Laura and Annie, may have much more data today to support the assertion after camping overnight near the shore of the lower Two-Mouth Lake.

Their supporting cast, Bill, Marianne, Willie and Debbie, and grandpuppy Joe arrived home with sufficient data that those muscles and bones and entire bodies hurt enough from the 8-mile (my Fitbit says a lot longer---recording 18 total miles walked yesterday) that no more proof was needed.

Annie had been planning for most of the summer to do an overnighter at a beautiful lake in the North Idaho mountains with her cousin Laura.

Finally deciding on Two Mouth Lakes, which can be reached on a trail off from Myrtle Creek Road, she assembled all the necessary gear, studied the maps and decided on other logistics.

For some of us, the decision to join her was last-minute.  In my case, I knew it would be difficult but envisioned it as both a family memory AND a personal achievement for a 73-year-old who doesn’t like up-and-down hikes.

All proved true.  There were moments----reminiscent of the good ol’ days when Marianne sputters and Bill just soldiers onward----before and after we reached the elusive "saddle" leading us down into the Priest Lake side of the Selkirks.

When I stopped briefly, with great relief, to take a picture of said saddle and then heard Bill ask Annie, a seasoned hiker who stayed in the lead the entire way, “Annie, do you see the saddle?” my momentary exhilaration instantly faded.

Twice, at certain points, I heard the same question from Bill to Annie, leading to a few unrepeatable questions aimed at Bill who exerts amazing patience when his wife hits one of her sinking spots.

It’s a grueling hike----well, maybe for old ladies----but the beauty along the way was unparalleled as brilliant, purple fireweed is blooming ubiquitously, along with a host of other wildflowers. 

Occasional views of Myrtle’s Turtle, a massive wall of granite, and of other Selkirk peaks are nothing less than breath-taking AND a good excuse to stop walking over those boulders, witches’ knots, mud and an occasional welcome board walk to take a picture.

We also saw several other hikers, some who had stayed for a few nights at the lake.  

In one case, we were alerted by some boys who had dropped their packs and were picking huckleberries (in abundance) that we would meet more family members on the trail.

Once at the lake and while some of us were relaxing on a big rock slab, Laura came back with a group of women and began introducing them.  

Turns out two of them have worked with her for the Coeur d’Alene Indian Tribe.  Small world.

Bill, Willie and Annie spent a few minutes fishing at the pristine lake surrounded by granite mountains.

Actually, there was something for everyone, making the sore muscles and the mosquitoes well worth the journey.  

And, yes, we’re alive and stronger, ready to recount the tales and happy we made it home with no incidents. 

Now, we’ll keep our fingers crossed that Laura and Annie can do the same.