Two Mouth Lakes (3)

Statistics

• Date - 07/07/2001
• Elevation - < 7,000'
• Route - Trail No. 268
• Miles - 8.0
• Elevation Gain - 1,720'
• ACME Mapper - Link
• CalTopo - Link
• Partners - Chuck Bauman

Description

This hike was actually the second choice for our backpacking trip.  Chuck and I had originally planned to do some hiking and scrambling in the Trout Creek area north of Bonners Ferry, Idaho, but after arriving at the trailhead and seeing over ten vehicles we called an audible.  We decided to try and summit Harrison Peak via the Two Mouth Lakes area. Because of the cross-country travel involved we weren't even sure is was possible, but because of time restrictions we decided to give it a shot.  Unlike the previous overcast day on Mount Roothan, the weather was very hot and muggy.  We backpacked into the first of the two lakes where we took a quick dip in order to relieve ourselves from the heat.  We ate dinner, set up camp, and then decided to wander around and try and find a route to Harrison Peak.

As the evening went on, we became inundated with millions of mosquitoes.  By the time we got back to camp, we had to resort to covering every square inch of exposed skin.  In addition to this, we thought we would be smart and leave the tent to save weight since the weather was cooperating.  Because of this, there was no cover to take in our shelter that we left back in the vehicle.  So we sat there with shirts over our heads almost going insane from the constant buzzing.  At about 10:00, we couldn't handle it any longer so we packed up and started hiking out in the dark.  After about a mile, my flashlight went dead and I had to follow Chuck.  Anyway, we got home especially late and had to shower because we were covered in bug spray.  The following day we reviewed the maps and determined that we could have made it to Harrison Peak from where we were camped.  Oh well, we had a good time despite the onslaught of mosquitoes.

Photos

Chuck getting eaten by mosquitoes.