Three Lakes

Carol Freshley July 9, 2016

The park ranger at the Bayhorse Ghost Mine encouraged us to, "Go to the end of this road and you will find a lovely lake!" Just four more miles on a dirt road . . .

A lovely lake.  This is Bayhorse Lake, the larger of two lakes at the end of this road.  If you take a right turn at the y in the road you can get to the smaller lake.  While lovely, we thought this lake was small enough for us. — A lovely lake. This is Bayhorse Lake, the larger of two lakes at the end of this road. If you take a right turn at the y in the road you can get to the smaller lake. While lovely, we thought this lake was small enough for us.

What a fish might see if they popped out of the water and looked around.

I cannot get over how clear the water is in most of the lakes we have visited.  I suspect that one reason is that there are no people spending time in or around them.  We are often the only people in the area.  Of course, it is at the… — I cannot get over how clear the water is in most of the lakes we have visited. I suspect that one reason is that there are no people spending time in or around them. We are often the only people in the area. Of course, it is at the end of an 8 mile dirt road. Just fine with us that we are the only ones!

This is my favorite photograph of the lake.

I thought the path might lead all around the lake.  Nope.  It ends just at the end of the fence. — I thought the path might lead all around the lake. Nope. It ends just at the end of the fence.

We had our picnic at the lake and headed back to the main road. Along the way the we drove by wild flowers and then a photographically interesting creek.

Once back on Highway 75 we headed towards Stanley and then Redfish Lake. Most of the time we were driving alongside the Salmon River, another opportunity to photograph rafters.

Rafting is a big deal in this area.  I was so tempted to join their fun. — Rafting is a big deal in this area. I was so tempted to join their fun.

All manner of creeks feed the rivers.  This one was large enough to get my attention! — All manner of creeks feed the rivers. This one was large enough to get my attention!

This is Redfish Lake.  It is a popular destination and filled with campers, boaters and fishermen.  We had hoped to get better opportunities to get the Sawtooth Mountains as a background to the lake.  Maybe even a reflection . . . — This is Redfish Lake. It is a popular destination and filled with campers, boaters and fishermen. We had hoped to get better opportunities to get the Sawtooth Mountains as a background to the lake. Maybe even a reflection . . .

We walked down a lot of paths looking for a good angle of the mountains!

It was suggested that we might get better photos at Stanley Lake. So back up the road we went and at the end of a dirt road . . . a lovely lake. Not many folks camped out there and we saw no boats on the water. Much more peaceful. It was late in the day and the light was becoming more of a challenge.

Last one taken at Stanley Lake.  Wildflowers everywhere. — Last one taken at Stanley Lake. Wildflowers everywhere.

Taken on the way back to Stanley.  Tom likes this one with the fence shown.  But, I just had to walk through the flowers and grass and get one without the fence. — Taken on the way back to Stanley. Tom likes this one with the fence shown. But, I just had to walk through the flowers and grass and get one without the fence.

Just a bit of Tom Foolery here.  I was mentioning how much I was hoping for reflections.  That was not going to happen with the strong winds whipping up the water.  Can you imagine a serene lake and this rock reflecting . . . . — Just a bit of Tom Foolery here. I was mentioning how much I was hoping for reflections. That was not going to happen with the strong winds whipping up the water. Can you imagine a serene lake and this rock reflecting . . . .

"No problem!"  Tom can make it happen for me!  We have a lot of fun sitting side by side and looking and processing our photographs. — "No problem!" Tom can make it happen for me! We have a lot of fun sitting side by side and looking and processing our photographs.

We dined in Stanely and drove home with cards full and great memories. Thanks for sharing them with us.

Bayhorse Ghost Mine

Carol Freshley July 8, 2016

Just four miles down a decent dirt road, where Bayhorse Creek merges with Beardsley Creek, one can stroll through a ghost mine that was part of several mines developed in the area in the late 1870s. The mine's greatest years of production were from about 1882 to the 1890s. During it most productive time there were between 300 and 500 people living near the mine. A few buildings, ruins, and some equipment remain and the site is now part of Idaho's State Park system.

The concentrating mill is the most prominent structure on the site.  Built on a steep slope, a mill such as this took advantage of gravity to move rock down to be pulverized.  Successive grindings created ever more fine rocks.  The cr… — The concentrating mill is the most prominent structure on the site. Built on a steep slope, a mill such as this took advantage of gravity to move rock down to be pulverized. Successive grindings created ever more fine rocks. The crushed ore eventually moved to settling tanks and finally to concentrating tables (at the bottom of the mill).

Mill with aged red mineral paint which helped preserve the wood and also acted as a fire retardant.

Mill.  The structure on the left was called the 'Caretaker's House".  No other information was provided. — Mill. The structure on the left was called the 'Caretaker's House". No other information was provided.

Can you tell that we really liked this mill?  There were two paths that led to its multi-level structure and I think we explored every angle we could get! — Can you tell that we really liked this mill? There were two paths that led to its multi-level structure and I think we explored every angle we could get!

Only surviving hotel of several Bayhorse hotels that existed in the camp in the mid 1880s.

One more take of the hotel.  The structure to the right of the hotel was a residence. — One more take of the hotel. The structure to the right of the hotel was a residence.

This is a mine building which is believed to be associated with the flotation process established at Bayhorse in the 1920s.  The building sits on what was once the site of a smelter.  A smelter was built to more cost effectively process th… — This is a mine building which is believed to be associated with the flotation process established at Bayhorse in the 1920s. The building sits on what was once the site of a smelter. A smelter was built to more cost effectively process the ore into silver bars.

Originally this structure was a one story residence.  Before 1870 a second story was added with access by an outside staircase.  It was in that part of the residence that an orderly from the Civil War, Charles Baker, would provide medical … — Originally this structure was a one story residence. Before 1870 a second story was added with access by an outside staircase. It was in that part of the residence that an orderly from the Civil War, Charles Baker, would provide medical care to the camp's residents. He delivered babies and tended to miner's injuries. He lived there with his wife, Agnes, until 1907.

View of the residence from the other side.

We think this is a close up of part of the residence.

No information was given about this structure.

The tin roof outlived the building it was on!  The ruin shows that it may have been a livery stable or barn as it has a gable hay door.  At some point the roof and three sides were covered with flattened tin sheets.  Some of the sheet… — The tin roof outlived the building it was on! The ruin shows that it may have been a livery stable or barn as it has a gable hay door. At some point the roof and three sides were covered with flattened tin sheets. Some of the sheets now have a gorgeous red patina.

A photographer could spend a whole day just capturing close up detailed images.  The red mineral paint is now a faded pink. — A photographer could spend a whole day just capturing close up detailed images. The red mineral paint is now a faded pink.

There was no information on this structure.

Charcoal kilns supplied coal to be used to fuel the smelter.  The huge number of trees required for this activity transformed miles of the surrounding landscape for years. — Charcoal kilns supplied coal to be used to fuel the smelter. The huge number of trees required for this activity transformed miles of the surrounding landscape for years.

Behind the fence and right in front of the mine building was a flower new to me.  I asked the park ranger if I might be allowed to carefully climb through the logs to get a good photograph.  He said, "Rather than climb through the fence, l… — Behind the fence and right in front of the mine building was a flower new to me. I asked the park ranger if I might be allowed to carefully climb through the logs to get a good photograph. He said, "Rather than climb through the fence, let me take you through the gate!" This, I was told, is called a September flower and the plant is toxic.

We drove out over a very clear and pristine creek.

Loop Drive Over Teton Pass

Carol Freshley July 6, 2016

We drove a loop, of sorts, from Daniel Junction to Alpine, then along the Palisades Reservoir in Idaho, over the Teton Pass, skirted Jackson and then headed back on Highway 191 to Daniel Junction. The nice lady had told us that Teton Pass was a worthy drive. It was.

Just driving along and seeing wonder on every curve.

Some have left home.  These seeds were very large, not your ordinary dandelion. — Some have left home. These seeds were very large, not your ordinary dandelion.

We pulled over to get a better look at the Snake River which we had been driving along for some time. We saw a path that looked like it might lead us down to the river. It did! Along the way there were all kinds of wildflowers. As we got to the bottom I noticed a AED (defibrillator) mounted on a pole. It looked new and in service. Odd!

More fun getting slow shots of white caps.

You might notice that Tom and I have different white balances.  He agrees that the river was green.  I like his composition better. — You might notice that Tom and I have different white balances. He agrees that the river was green. I like his composition better.

My sweetie.  The river was running pretty rapidly! — My sweetie. The river was running pretty rapidly!

Around the bend just up the river we saw some rafters.  It was not until they were actually in front of us and going through the area we were shooting did we realize there was an 'exciting' photo opportunity.  The rafts just kept coming an… — Around the bend just up the river we saw some rafters. It was not until they were actually in front of us and going through the area we were shooting did we realize there was an 'exciting' photo opportunity. The rafts just kept coming and we just kept getting our settings better dialed in. Tom used his long lens. My long lens was in the car.

Showing off!  I have no idea how the person in the front gets that position.  We could not see any straps holding the front person in place. — Showing off! I have no idea how the person in the front gets that position. We could not see any straps holding the front person in place.

The water is very cold!  What are these folks thinking?  Adventure!!!!!  Notice that there are no retirees in this boat. — The water is very cold! What are these folks thinking? Adventure!!!!! Notice that there are no retirees in this boat.

Dang!  It is OK.  I see a shoe. — Dang! It is OK. I see a shoe.

Palisades Reservoir towards the north end.  The Reservoir is huge with many campsites along its edge.  Lots of people out over the long holiday enjoying the outdoors. — Palisades Reservoir towards the north end. The Reservoir is huge with many campsites along its edge. Lots of people out over the long holiday enjoying the outdoors.

We stopped at the top of Teton Pass.  Lots of photo opportunities there. — We stopped at the top of Teton Pass. Lots of photo opportunities there.

Down in the valley, off the Teton Pass, and on our way to Jackson.

By the time we got home I was exhausted. Not so Tom! He drove into Pinedale to check out Fourth of July festivities. I stayed home and took a nap!