2026 Maiden Camping Trip - Chilly, Idaho

We watched the 2026 Kentucky Derby and then took off the next week on our 2026 maiden  camping trip.  We thought we would fish some creeks and see some hiking sights totally off grid; no power, no phone, no water or sewer.  May has turned out to be a very good month for us.  We pulled Swan, our 20ft, no slide, bumper pull trailer 180 miles northwest of home.  We arrived on a spot we have visited before, the place where I fell off of a log stack and really hurt my back last year.  This site is along the bank of the Big Lost River.  We understand the name Big Lost comes from the fact that sometimes in the summer, this river dries up and is "Lost" for a while.  We have yet to see it in such a low state, but later this year may be one of those years.

Rocks, clouds and creeks below, things we both enjoy.  That top cloud looks like a smoke ring coming from the smoke signals below it.

Our first camp site; we stayed one night.  The Big Lost River was too high, running too fast and was muddy. Not great fishing.... although we tried for 30 minutes or so.

Below looking east from our camp spot.

On our way to the next camp spot and hopefully a smaller creek.

This spot was about 15 miles down a bumpy gravel and rock road.  Gari checks the landing site before fully committing and pulling in; she's smart like that.

The first thing we did was search out a waterfall trail we stumbled upon.  It was a short drive to the trailhead from our camp, about a mile.  I carried a trusted 8 ft 3 wt creek rod just in case there was a fishing opportunity.  Below at the trail head at Waterfall Creek.

This trail was a highly maintained trail.  The walk was about 1 mile to the waterfall.  There was a flat cleared path covered with pea sized gravel the entire way.  Not something we are used to seeing.  Normally the trail is narrow and uneven with lots of big ankle twisting rocks.

Gari shoots some magnificent scenery...

....and Steve photobombs with a walk through!

 The waterfall was larger than expected, very nice! 

I did take the opportunity to drop a couple flies into the pool below the falls

Next activity, fishing on the Wildhorse Creek.  On the walk to the starting spot we see this awesome pointy mountain in the distance.  I called it the Matterhorn of Idaho

Gari pulled the Matterhorn in with her better zoom lens and better vantage point.

Now we're getting serious; hip boots on, outstanding in the creek! 

Dropping a fly behind the big rock.

More fishing.  We fished about five miles of this creek over three days.  Not one bite, not one fish, never even saw one in the clear shallow water.  We were compensated by the splendid beauty of the creek and surrounding area.

We will call this picture, " Many Rods, No Fish"  and there goes the Matterhorn again....

We were camped above 7,000 ft and it was c-c-cold at night, in the 20s F.

 

The entire area where we camped was open range for cattle.  We woke up one morning and I looked outside and announced that we have a cow in the camp.  I put my glasses on and determined this was not a cow, rather a young bull moose grazing in our camp.

Gari captured a better image with her nice zoom lens.  You can see his little horn nubs starting to grow for the season.

We went out for a closer look, it was probably 30F by that time.  I put shoes on , Gari went out in bare feet!

We take this post out with a final shot of rocks and clouds...