I have been wanting to hike to Ice Lake and Island Lake for 4 years. Ever since we started coming to Silverton in the summer it has been on my list of things I want to do. It has just never worked out. The first year we tried to take the kids with us, but they didn’t get far before we had to turn back. After that, they never wanted to go and I never felt comfortable leaving them at camp alone. This year I told everyone this hike was happening. The kids are finally old enough that I feel comfortable leaving them at camp.
I wanted to get started early because the forecast called for rain. As usual with my family, there was no leaving early. Enzo and Brandi had brought the camping equipment, but they brought an interesting selection. They brought the huge camp stove, but one pot. That thing has 3 burners, why did they bring one pot? So this morning Norm made pancakes one by one in the only pot they have. This put us a little behind.
In the end, Brandi and Enzo decided to join us and Sinjin and Ava decided to stay at camp. We drove from our camp site to the trail head. The first 2 miles were pretty slow going as Brandi and Enzo lamented they poor shape they are in at the moment. We told them to take it slow. We did a lot of stopping. Billy Yang came up behind us and we chatted with him for a few minutes. (I would go on to see him in town 2 more times this day. 3 Billy Yang sightings…is that a magic elixir or get you something extra inn life?) Right before the split for Ice Lake and Island Lake, Enzo and Brandi turned around and headed back to the car. Enzo informed me that he plans to subscribe to the Run Flat Stay Low school of thought. I told them they could take the car back to the camp site. Norm and I continued on and were quickly in the basin. There were quite a few camps set up in the basin. We made the last climb and were rewarded with the amazing view of Ice Lake. It is such a beautiful spot. But this is definitely a crowded area. There were even a couple of people camped at Ice Lake. I asked 2 guys how they like camping up here. They said it was good but a little dicey when it rained over night. They told us we could take a trail from here right to Island Lake.
I wanted to get started early because the forecast called for rain. As usual with my family, there was no leaving early. Enzo and Brandi had brought the camping equipment, but they brought an interesting selection. They brought the huge camp stove, but one pot. That thing has 3 burners, why did they bring one pot? So this morning Norm made pancakes one by one in the only pot they have. This put us a little behind.
In the end, Brandi and Enzo decided to join us and Sinjin and Ava decided to stay at camp. We drove from our camp site to the trail head. The first 2 miles were pretty slow going as Brandi and Enzo lamented they poor shape they are in at the moment. We told them to take it slow. We did a lot of stopping. Billy Yang came up behind us and we chatted with him for a few minutes. (I would go on to see him in town 2 more times this day. 3 Billy Yang sightings…is that a magic elixir or get you something extra inn life?) Right before the split for Ice Lake and Island Lake, Enzo and Brandi turned around and headed back to the car. Enzo informed me that he plans to subscribe to the Run Flat Stay Low school of thought. I told them they could take the car back to the camp site. Norm and I continued on and were quickly in the basin. There were quite a few camps set up in the basin. We made the last climb and were rewarded with the amazing view of Ice Lake. It is such a beautiful spot. But this is definitely a crowded area. There were even a couple of people camped at Ice Lake. I asked 2 guys how they like camping up here. They said it was good but a little dicey when it rained over night. They told us we could take a trail from here right to Island Lake.
River crossing
Looking back at the basin making our way to Ice Lake
Ice Lake
We crossed the stream (river?) and headed up the trail to Island Lake. It was a quick trip, maybe 10 minutes. On the trail we spoke to guy who told us he had camped at Island Lake the night before and been totally alone. We went through some snow and then there it was. Island Lake is so beautiful that there are no words for it. We took pictures and you have probably seen pictures, but it just isn't the same as being there. The color of the lake is unreal. The setting is so beautiful that there aren't even words for how beautiful it is. And there are fish in the lake! How is this even possible?
Island Lake is amazing!
We followed the Hardrock markers back to where the trails split. It’s an awesome downhill trail and I decided I was done with hiking and did some running. Norm was struggling with his pants because he had worn regular shorts (probably not planning to run) and they were falling down. I declared this part of the course pretty runnable and he called me a nimble bitch so I guess we are in disagreement about this section. I thought I would recognize the split. And had there been people on the rail when we came to the junction, I probably would have at least paused. But I crossed right over the trail we needed to take and continued following the Hardrock markers. I knew the waterfall meant we were close to where we would need to turn, but we kept moving and we moved away from the waterfall. Suddenly I see the road you drive on for South Mineral Creek, but we are past the parking lot. We are going the wrong direction. I should have known by the mileage. We turn around to head back to find where we missed the turn. Unfortunately, Norm is starting to not feel good at this point. I have slowed down, but when I see people on a trail up ahead I pick up speed. This is where I think we need to turn and I want to get there while there are still people on the trail. As luck would have it, these are all people we have seen before at the lakes so I know we need to be heading down this trail. 2 miles and we will be at the trailhead.
Of course it starts to rain. We are now wondering about the car situation. As thunder rumbles over head for the second time I say to Norm, “Surely the kids will come back to the trailhead and wait for us. Or maybe they brought one of the cars back and left it for us.” When we finally get to the trailhead there is no one waiting for us and no car left for us. We use the bathrooms at the campsites across the way before starting our walk back to camp.
We start walking in the rain and realize that our campsite is a lot farther than we thought. We thought maybe someone would stop and offer us a ride, but people just waved and drove past us. Norm decided we didn't look sad enough and that was why no one was stopping. But finally someone did stop! The guys that had camped at Ice Lake stopped and asked if we wanted a ride. Yes we did!
We got back to camp and Sinjin and Ava were relieved to see us. Brandi and Enzo had gone to town so Enzo could work. We changed shoes and socks (your feet will NOT stay dry on this hike) and headed for town to get some food and coffee.
We start walking in the rain and realize that our campsite is a lot farther than we thought. We thought maybe someone would stop and offer us a ride, but people just waved and drove past us. Norm decided we didn't look sad enough and that was why no one was stopping. But finally someone did stop! The guys that had camped at Ice Lake stopped and asked if we wanted a ride. Yes we did!
We got back to camp and Sinjin and Ava were relieved to see us. Brandi and Enzo had gone to town so Enzo could work. We changed shoes and socks (your feet will NOT stay dry on this hike) and headed for town to get some food and coffee.
