UPDATE: June Trip Pushed to July

The chosen desitination for the June trip was the Chamberlain Basin of the White Clouds. The location decision was made due to the big snow year and the cool Spring and the backcountry being full of snow. The Chamberlain Basin faces South and should be one of the areas with early melted snows and access. As of June 8th the backcountry is not melting out as expected and the trip has been pushed back.

The June trip has been moved to July 4th weekend:
NEW TRIP DATES July 4-6th.



July 4th - 6th Backpacking Trip Maps

Get images of the trip here. A single 3D image from Google Earth is provided with coordinates at the bottom. Also, two 'maps' are provided that can be printed out on 8.5x11 paper side by side and joined together.

(right-click with mouse and save to computer/download)

3D Image: Click Here

Satelite Map Left: Click Here
Satelite Map Right: Click Here

Topographical Map Left: Click Here
Topographical Map Right: Click Here


The Osenga Invitational 2008

Before getting into the main trip that is planned for August 6 - 9th, we would like to invite you to two other trips planned for 2008.

July 4 - 6: a trip is planned into the White Cloud Mountain range and the Chamberlain basin. This is early season and the risk is for large late-winter snowfields. Spring/Winter gear may be necessary, such as 3rd or 4th sub layers of clothing and snowshoes, for this trip. Please contact us for further information.

August 28 - 30: a trip is slated but is currently without destination. Dates are subject to change depending upon the level of interest received. Stay in tuned to the website or contact us.

If you wish to attend the 2008 Expedition, August 6 - 9th, continue reading to determine your level of interest. Then go to the Contact button to request an invitation. This is a "first-come-first-reserve" event.


General Overview

Event Overview:

The Osenga Invitational is a trip into the Boulder Range of the Northern Rockies, located North of Ketchum approx. 15 miles. Ketchum sits in the Wood River Valley at 5,800 feet above sea level, and serves as the gateway to this portion of the Rocky Mountain Range - noted for its rugged mountains, majestic peaks and outstanding solitude in this back country.

The highway leaving Ketchum is a gradual climb into the Sawtooth National Recreation Area. Once we have left the asphalt highway, the off-road vehicles are likely to be the last man-made thing you will see beside your backpacks. Ditching the vehicles somewhere at 8,000 feet, we will begin the climb that will carry you over the rugged summits nearing 11,000 in altitude. Deep, green valleys will be home to enormous herds of elk and plenteous grouse. You'll wake up to mountain goat grazing near by. You'll enjoy an experience that will remain complete in your memory for the rest of your life.

Schedule:

Lead-up: Before the 6th you may arrive at your earliest convenience. We suggest that you arrive on Tuesday evening, August 5th (but you may arrive anytime prior to Tuesday night). This would allow for any last minute adjustments, gear, supply preparations, and fishing permits.

(Factoid: The Boulder-White Clouds roadless area is the largest unprotected roadless area on the National Forests of the Western United States -- 450,000 acres.)

August 6: Wednesday will begin with a four-wheel drive trip up the highway and into the mountains as the sun comes up, reaching the wilderness edge. We'll backpack to Deer Lakes - about 4 1/2 miles / rising about 2,000 vertical feet – in 4 to 5 hours.  We will set up camp at the main lake (El. 9597) and spend the remainder of the day fishing for our dinner (up to 15 inch alpine lake rainbow & cut-throat trout), relaxing, hiking to explore the area, or just relaxing & viewing wildlife (such as mountain goats).

(Factoid: Sawtooth Mountain/Sawtooth National Recreational Area was named for its jagged profile and the Mountain Goat is the SNRA signature species – at one time boasting that there are more goats in the Boulder Range than any other range in the lower 48 states.)

August 7: Thursday we will cross the summit above Deer Lakes (El. 10,100) (about 500 vertical feet).  Then we will hike along the East Fork of the Salmon River.  We will pack about 12 miles, which is relatively easy packing.  Then ascending the drainage to Paradise Lake which is about 3 miles / rising 2455 vertical feet –which will take 2-3 hours.  We will set up camp at Paradise Lake (El. 9855) and spend the remainder of the day recuperating. (You may want to hike to the mountain ridges above Paradise Lake – the views are unbelievable and you could once again see mountain goat.) 

August 8: Friday we will descend the Paradise Lake drainage and continue up the East Fork of the Salmon River. Then we will go up the drainage toward the summit to Window Lake.  We will pack about 7 miles – which will take 4-5 hours. At El. 9600 we will set up camp.  There is another alpine lake about 700 feet above where we will be setup (at El. 10,198 – the highest alpine lake we will have opportunity to visit).  You may want to just relax and view more wildlife.

(Factoid: The State of Idaho has the largest wilderness area in the lower 48.  Grangeville is located in north central Idaho. The community is considered the getaway to five wilderness areas and four national forests totaling 5 1/2 million acres. The total is second only to Alaska in designated wilderness area.)

August 9: Saturday, after a leisurely morning we will begin the ascent over Silver Lake Pass. Our decent down to Silver Lakes will be followed by the all-downhill hike, out along the Silver Creek, to the exit vehicles.

That afternoon, provisions will be made to ensure everyone has ample nourishment, supplies and their course set toward home.

(Factoid: Idaho is made up of 77.3% mountains and only 22.7% of the state is flat & used for farming. It has been said that if the state were flattened out it would be larger than the state of Texas.)

Event Report:

Event Report is the in-depth look into the trip necessities and the expedition specifics. Start with the fitness aspect HERE, How to Prepare. This should be enough information to know how to prepare.

More information will follow so you may find detailed information and download checklists for the concerns of fitness, equipment, medical issues and other preparations and precautions for this event.

Accommodations:

Osenga Invitational will provide you with local transportation during your stay. A detailed list of supplies we will provide will be coming to this section shortly.

In the way of lodging and transportation, the Osenga's will provide the necessary arrangements to ensure everyone is taken care of.

Local Information:

IDAHO FACT SHEET

Click Here


AREA DEMOGRAPHICS

Ketchum, Idaho

WEATHER

Ketchum, Idaho

AMENITIES

Sun Valley~Restaurants
Sun Valley~Hotels
Hailey~Restaurants
Hailey~Hotels

LOCAL INFO

Visit Sun Valley
Current Events
Wikipedia

Contact:

General contact information for the 2008 Osenga Invitational.
Invitation Request: Click Here to email.
Point of Arrival: 1564 Baldy View Drive, Hailey, ID, 83333
Phone Contact: 208.788.1461

Google Earth

Google Earth is a Earth mapping engine developed by Google.com and is available as a free download (Google Earth 4 BETA). Google Earth creates the ability to map locations and save as an external file for sharing. For help click here.