Langer & Ruffneck Lakes!
Another grand hike in Idaho!

Leaving the trailhead. The route to Langer Lake is in a burn area... of course, what part of Idaho isn't in a burn area...	On up the trail. This particular trail climbs steeply for quite some distance.
Hiking partner says that you need to look past the ugly stubs of trees and downfall and observe the beauty of the sky(?). To me, it is largely ugly. Green forests DO offer more.	Probably ought to note here that hiking partner is one month away from 82. It is amazing what she can still do at her age. I cannot believe that I will be able to match her accomplishments on the trail at that age.
Ahh, yes, some more 'beauty'. With tongue solidly in cheek, I observe that the sky is definitely pretty blue. On the other hand, the sky is decidedly white to the east. May be fire-caused.
I have to admit that the multiplicity of flowers poking up through the burned debris is beautiful to behold.
The first of two streams to cross, this one drains a swampy basin to the east of Rocky Lake	This one drains the Rocky/Langer Lake drainage. Ruffneck Lake is even yet a separate drainage
Picturesque, but not as good a fishing as Ruffneck Lake or Moon Lake (Moon Lake?)
One of two small pothole lakes on the way to Ruffneck. As usual, more dead and/or dying trees than pretty green ones.	One of the drainages into Ruffneck near the campsite. Island Lake above also drains into Ruffneck.
Ruffneck Lake. Where we camped, there was a 12" or so rainbow that kept patrolling the area right at the edge of the lake. Guess it was 'his' territory. :-)
After dinner we climbed up this slope to see Island Lake above. Only about 200', but it seemed like more.	Island Lake. Considerably clearer than Ruffneck, but no sign whatsoever of a fishery. One gentleman postulated that a few years back it had been quite low, and it may have frozen completely killing the fish. Island Lake is also similar to a couple other lakes I am familiar with that seem to drain out the bottom of the lake as the normal outlet of the lake is high and dry, but the lake itself is way down. See next picture.
Note the large amount of 'bank' in the picture above. Note as well that there is no 'bank' in the previous picture. It must drain out the bottom as do some others.	A 'just before sunset' photo
Next morning...	The 'boys' desperately wanting to be OFF the highline. :-)
Just before heading out...	Last shots of floral beauty near the campsite
On the trail down...