Day 1: Upper Bear Basin--This is a nice, steady climb with lots of meadows along the way.
Day 2: I climbed up to to the pass below Seven Up Peak. Great views up there in all directions. This was the last sight of other hikers for two days. Most people were going down to the Four Lakes Loop (also great), but I was headed in the opposite direction. I dropped down the Deer Creek Trail, then left it and began climbing Willow Creek. This passed through a burn area, and it was hot! I finally reached the pass at the top of Willow Creek, and got to the back side of the Sawtooh Ridge.
Back side of Sawtooth Ridge--dropping down into S. Fork Salmon River.
There was some snow below the ridge, which required me to briefly leave the trail and scramble, but nothing too difficult.
Day 3: Dropping down into the South Fork of the Salmon River, I really felt like I was out there. There is a huge burn area in the meadow at the bottom where the Tri-Forest Trail runs. There is also a "private" road, which runs near granite-enclosed Josephine Lake (also private?). I would love to know the story of how this section in the heart of the wilderness has a private road and "Josephine Lake Lodge" (marked on USGS map, and probably burned during recent fire). I'm guessing some families had claims here prior to the wilderness designation. In any event, it's a beautiful place and the burn is a real shame.
The climb out of the drainage of the S. Fork of the Salmon River was challenging. Not only was it a climb, but the trail had obviously seen very little use. I followed Kidd Creek up to the pass at 7500 feet. This was the only section of the hike that had challenging snow in the north-facing drainage. There wasn't much, but just enough to force me off trail to avoid snow-filled gullies. The scrambling at the top was slow and hard. And at the very top, the choice was either to climb a 15-foot snow bank or a steep scramble on loose rock (class 2-3?). I went for the snow option, and was glad when I reached the pass at the top.
Dropping down into Ward Lake Basin--at crest near Black Mountain
Ward Lake
Route: 27.5 miles, 8,500 feet ascent
$5 per day or $40 per season (no mention of quotas, just fees). The public comment period ended last September, so we'll see where that goes.