Why is it 19 degrees in mid September in this beautiful Idaho mountain town? I am going to say it is the elevation, – at 6,253 feet the 63 full time residents understand their environment and apparently enjoy it. Often one of the coldest reported temperatures in the lower 48, Stanley and the surrounding Sawtooth mountain ranges are a scenic wonder. You can even see the top of the 11,815 foot Castle Peak in the White Cloud Mountain range. So many outdoor activities and vistas to enjoy. Many people make an annual trip to Redfish Lake, it is a pristine high country lake that is glacier and stream fed and reaches a depth of 396 feet. It’s deep-blue and aquamarine water remind one how important it is to protect this resource. The sockeye salmon continue to return annually, in no small part because of the fish hatchery that helps sustain and extend the species. The lake turned red with the spawning fish in the fall before the dams were built and gave the lake its colorful moniker. Last year 85 native fish completed the 1800 river mile journey to the ocean and back. This number is down from 139 last year and 535 in 2016. Without the network of hatcheries the Sockeye, Chinook, and Steelhead trout would be at even greater risk of extinction.
We often hear about perseverance, I am going to nominate the Sockeye as my poster smolt for this honor. Born in a lake bed in Idaho, they grow for 2-3 years and then head off to the ocean. The fish are anadromous- they adapt to live in fresh and salt water. The float down the rapid river system before the 8 dams were built took 10 days. The fish are able to inflate their air bladder and float tail down stream expending little energy. Today those 85 fish swam through 400 miles of slack water created by the damns. After two to three years in the ocean they make the return journey to the same lake where they were hatched. This innate drive to extend their species is remarkable. Hank can now tell you what is unique about the salmon he saw and although anadromous is hard to recall he understands their journey and the ability to live in fresh and salt water.
I was not familiar with Ted Trueblood but a quote at the hatchery got my attention. A bit of research, Cecil Whittaker “Ted” Trueblood was an outdoor writer and conservationist. Born in Homedale, Idaho he wrote for Field and Stream. “The silence of nature is very real, it surrounds you, you can feel it.” Our wilderness hikes this week reinforced this thought. Ted reminded us; “if you instill in your child a love of the outdoors and an appreciation of nature, you will have given him a treasure no one can take away.” There are many priceless things in life, take the time to consider what is on your list.
Happy 47th anniversary to my spouse and friend—Karen—she was close on the perseverance role model list.
