Ingall's Creek

 We drove out north of Blewitt Pass to hike up Ingalls Creek to see the wildflowers. This trail is about 15 miles long in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. We did a short hike, going out 3 miles before turning around and returning to the trailhead. We did 6 miles round trip with 960 ft of overall elevation gain.
The lupine and paintbrush were abundant toady!

 We also saw lots of butterflies, here are a few I was able to photograph

This tiny one rested on my hiking pole while we were taking a lunch break.

two on a leaf

 We saw different shades of orange paintbrush,

 as well as yellow and red ones

 lots and lots of gorgeous lupine

 This early portion of the trail follows fairly close to Ingalls Creek

 With all the recent rain and snow melt, there is lots of water in Ingalls Creek

Part way down the trail, at this old rock slide, is an area with large boulders, that always feels cool and refreshing. Great place to take a break on a hot day.

 3 miles down the trail we could see some distant alpine peaks. We choose to turn around here today.

 The hike out was as lovely as the hike in.

















some of the wildflowers we saw along the trail today:

 

     

   

   

  

   

    

      

      

Shoshone Falls and Dierke Lake Trail

We stopped at Shoshone Falls Park in Twin Falls Idaho hoping to walk along the rim trail, but it was closed a short ways west of the falls.

After viewing the falls, we went to Dierkes Lake Park and hiked the trail that goes around the lake and overlooks the Snake River.

Shoshone Falls on the Snake River

 

Snake River west of the falls

View of Shoshone Falls a short ways down the rim trail

a hole in canyon wall near Shoshone Falls

looked like turkey vultures soaring overhead

The west end of Dierkes Lake

Canadian geese with goslings

marmots in the park

wide angle view of Dierkes Lake from the east end

Wide angle view of one of the three ponds near Dierles Lake, there were several red winged blackbirds here

The trail goes around the south side of the lake near the shore, then the path with some stairs go up the cliffs at the east of the lake.
We saw bird's nests high up in the niches of the rocks

View of Dierkes Lake as we climb up the cliffs north of the lake

Here there are some nice views of the Snake River












There are several areas in the cliffs for rock climbing

more views of the Snake River

beautiful walk with several side trails to rock climbing sites

near the end of the trail. We did not see any other people at the lake today.