I wouldn't drive all the way to the East Fork of the Salmon River to hike this trail, but if you're in the area, it's a quick hike to a cool lake. The trail looks a lot more like an old road that partially slid away and someone decided to convert it into a trail. It's wide enough for an ATV and mostly gravel. Jimmy Smith Lake isn't your typical mountain lake, even though it's just above 6,300 feet elevation. It's located in a rocky basin that looks more Owyhee Desert than mountain lake. It's stocked with rainbow trout, and since you have to hike to it, there's probably not as much fishing pressure as you would expect to find at lake with road access.
Trail of the Week
Open to: Hikers, bikers, horses, ATVs, motorcycles.
Ideal for: A short hike to a lake.
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Trailhead elevation: About 6,000 feet.
Destination elevation: 6,326 feet.
Length: 1 mile.
Difficulty: Easy.
Out and back or loop: Out and back.
Wildlife you might see: It's good deer country, and there are bighorns in the area, too.
Know a trail? Call David Parker at (208) 672-6731, or outdoors@idahostatesman.com.
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