The Ottoway Lakes Loop

The falls of Clark Fork. The trail is just up the hill a little ways and beyond is the camp near the stream.

Clark Fork Camp

The Ottoway Lakes Loop, September 2004

I had a choice here: I could go on for another level mile or so and camp near Illiloutte Creek, or stay at the Clark Fork camp. I decided to stay, and it was a good thing too. There were mostly small pools of water at Illiloutte Creek, no flowing water to speak of (but nice camps), and no real advantage for going there that I could see. In any case, after an early morning start, a long drive and seven mile walk, I was ready to stop and relax some.

I found other small camps near the head of the falls, but the established camp had all the amenities. Places for gear, flat rocks for the kitchen, level nice tent spots, a fire pit, and so on. It was about 3pm and the place was flooded with golden light and looking very pleasant. I quickly set up camp and got into my evening clothes.

Near the brink of the falls on Clark Fork creek, looking towards Mt. Starr King (not seen here). This is looking north.

Normally, I do not have fires, but it was late season and I would have a cold three hours before bed to deal with, and I knew it would get very cold this coming night at about 7132 feet. The night cold I could deal with, but I did not want to spend three hours in the sack reading before sleep time. Well, if you are going to have a fire, late season and cold temperatures are a good excuse, so I spent a good while gathering wood for both evening and morning. I gathered wood and built the kindling fire-starter in the pit, but did not light it right away. However, someone had been in that camp the night before and had a fire, but did not put out the coals, so near dusk the fire burst into flames all by itself.

Well before dusk, the four guys with their wheeled porting kluge showed up and wrestled their ungainly load across the somewhat wide creek crossing, soaking their feet in the process. After a panting short rest near camp, they decided to head for Illiloutte Creek, another mile or so down the trail.

Well, the night came on, the alpine glow fired up the heights above me, little that I could see, and it got cold. One could hike a short distance to the east of camp to a clear kinda-dome and get some better views of the area.

The fire was a good idea and helped pass the time while keeping the post storm freezing cold at bay. I had to put my boots back on to keep my feet warm. Eventually, time passed in relative comfort, I allowed the fire to die down, and I retreated to my warm bag. I wore my pile pants and shirt as well as down booties inside my sack, and did not have a cold or uncomfortable moment all night.