Silvery lupine, mountain bluebells, Sego lillies and yellow columbine are just some of the flowers seen on the 1.4 mile trail to Aldous Lake, Idaho."
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Aldous Lake is a crystal clear mountain lake nestled in the Continental Divide Trail (CDT) of the Centennial Mountains. In fact, the trail to Aldous Lake is the only small part of the CDT that southeast Idaho can call its own."
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The Centennials are one of the few mountain ranges in the United States that run east to west. In Idaho, the range connects the western Beaverhead Mountains to the eastern Henry's Lake Mountains."
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The Aldous Lake trail head isn't a developed camping spot. It doesn't have sanitation facilities or water except for the small creeks, but it is an enjoyable, easy day hike into the wilderness. There is only a 360 feet elevation gain on a gently, sloping incline, and the route to reach the trail head is an easily driveable gravel road that can be negotiated by a regular two-wheel-drive vehicle."
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There is room at the trail head for parking and a shady area to spread a blanket for a picnic lunch."
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There's a register at the trail head. The trail isn't marked except for the well-used path, and wildflowers and trees aren't labeled. You can find North by the moss on the trees."
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Depending on the time of year you hike, there're flowers blooming or huckleberries to pick. There can also be swarms of Idaho bigfoot mosquitoes ready to dine on tasty hiker blood."
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Bubbling, fast-moving crreks are in abundance for the ammateur photographer. The birds are numerous, flitting from tree to tree giving notice of your approach to other feathered friends. So are the squirrels. In fact, the squirrels chatter and scold from a safe distance of height and run in front of the hiker on the path, to then tell off the invaders in no uncertain terms. You might even spot elk or deer."
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On the path around the lake, which is surrounded by healthy lodgepole pines and Douglas firs, there's a picnic table built by a Boy Scout Troop. There're quite a few ideal camping spots to be found about 500 feet from the lake's edge as you walk around the path."
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The lake is good for leisurely fishing. It has cutthroat trout and, according to the visitors' log comments, some brown trout. Alan Silker of the Targhee National Forest says they might have been misidentified because he's not aware of any browns in the lake."
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Before 1984, the trail had to be re-routed. The scars of overuse and abuse by off-road vehicles have been healed by Mother Nature giving the hiker meadows of wildflowers to gaze at to the left of the present trail."
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The Targhee National Forest administers the Idaho Centennials and is also responsible for the administration and management of 89 miles of the CDT. It's called Section 8."
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The CDT is 3,100 miles of trail stretching from the Canadian to the Mexican borders. The trail is not finished in many protions of the many States it crosses, but the activities occuring on the trail, such as hiking, backpacking and primitive area camping have increased since 1984 according to the Continental Divide Trail Alliance (CDTA)."
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The Alliance, a national non-profit membership organization, is developing a 10-year plan through a series of land management workshops identifying specific project needs. The goal of the plan is to raise $1 million per year to complete the CDT. Idaho's portion for administration is seen, at this point, to be $850,000. However, one-third of the funds will come from volunteer labor. The goal is to complete the trail by 2008."
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The most difficult part of the trip to Aldous Lake is reaching the trail head. The easiest instructions are:"
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Find Dubois, Idaho; find Kilgore; find the Kilgore Store (only one in town); turn left at the T-intersection at the corner of the Kilgore Store; follow your nose to the right until you reach the trail head, PASSING Cottonwood Creek Loop, taking Road 027. DO NOT TURN RIGHT AGAIN. Stay on Road 027 to the trail head."
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Maps may be obtained from the Targhee-Caribou Forest Service Office, Idaho Falls, Idaho; the Dubois Ranger District or the CDTA 1-888-909CDTA."
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You may also email the CDTA for applications on voluteer work in any of the CDT areas at: cdnst@aol.com"
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Have fun this summer knowing you hiked the Continental Divide! "
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© Moberly 2001
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