Best time of year: July and August We’re aware that these uncertain times are limiting many aspects of life. The shortest route is to wade across Loon Creek on the north shore and bushwhack about 0.8 miles along the shore to the bomber. Type: Out and Back Nearest Major City: McCall, ID The hike to the abandoned war bomber is exquisite. Only 28 of these planes were manufactured since they were soon considered outdated and replaced by newer models. Not many people are aware that this hiking trail, along with beautiful lakeside views, leads you to the site of an abandoned airplane crash that occurred over 70 years ago! This trail sees little maintenance, is prone to down trees, and is more technically demanding. The bomber wreckage is on the south side of Loon Lake, approximately 150 feet into the trees. This trail runs 1.75 miles south along the west side of Loon Lake. There is a signboard about the crash just west of the outlet. The right trail (#081, Loon Lake trail) crosses the bridge seen from the parking lot and climbs almost directly to a sustained roll for 5 miles to the lake. Bring a pair shoes you don’t mind getting wet. The elevation at the trailhead is nearly the same as at the lake, but to get from one point to the other across ridges and drainages requires a lot of accumulated gain and loss. Upon your arrival to Loon Lake, you’ll have two options to find the downed bomber, both require some serious effort and getting wet. You will Hike into a downed B-23 Dragon Bomber with 2 trails lead in from the campground. There is also a trail to the bomber on the west side of the lake, crossing the inlet to the lake. Post a Comment. The only injuries were a broken leg and a severely cut hand. You can trudge through the mud and forest debris but you must move very carefully. Trail #080 follows the Secesh River south towards Loon Creek. Upon your arrival to Loon Lake, you’ll have two options to find the downed bomber, both require some serious effort and getting wet. While we continue to feature destinations that make our state wonderful, please take proper precautions or add them to your bucket list to see at a later date. Length: 10 miles Andes Hike. We had 13 scouts, and 8 scouters on the trip. The area had… Forest service says this trail was maintained in March of this year which appears to maybe have jumped the gun. The hike itself is fairly easy and serves as a great day outing for the whole family. The order was given to prepare parachutes and be ready to jump. Many people do this loop as a long day hike, but there are plenty of spots to camp near the lake that make it a great overnight trip. Nine Mile Recreation Area Campground. Continue south along #081 to the junction of trail #084. All 8 men survived the accident and the bitter cold. Trailhead: Chinook Campground Although this adds a few extra pounds to your pack you will save a tremendous amount of effort trying to get to the crash site. All the crew survived with only a few broken bones and lacerations. The plane was so deep in the timber that military deemed it unsalvageable and left it at the crash site. To keep it interesting, we made our trip a loop, walking in along the Secesh River Trail and out the Loon Lake Trail. The bomber hit the far shore, sawing off 20-inch trees for about 100 yards. The weekend of Oct 25-26, a large contingent from Troop 100 hiked in to Loon Lake north of McCall in Idaho. Both wings were sheared off and the nose was smashed, but the fuselage remained intact. The B-23 Dragon bomber crashed there in 1943. The pilot took a chance and nosed the plane down. the crew decided to try an emergency landing on Loon Lake, near Upper Payette Lake. In fact, you’re going to need to get in the water. The pilot swung the plane around and attempted to contact ground control, getting nothing but static in response. + 0. bombin4x (Aug 1, 2020 at 19:29) Trail in good condition. status date description; ... Don’t forget to ditch the bikes at the lake and hike over to the crashed B-1 bomber plane. goochrules/Flickr The plane was returning to McChord Field in Tacoma, Washington after a training mission in Nevada when it flew into a heavy snow storm in Oregon. As you look across the crystal clear water you see North and South Loon Mountains looming in the distance. Dense new growth is coming in after a fire in 2007 wiped out large areas of the hike with a High mountain lake. Map: Download KMZ File You’ll start in rocky mountain country, dip into some dense forest and wade through tall grass. Hiking for over 40 miles in snow up to their waists, the men followed the Secesh River until they reached a ranger station where they were able to phone for help. The beginning of the trail remains intact but the majority of it is covered in brush and downed trees. We woke up early on the Sunday of Labor Day weekend to tackle the hike, which impressed us not only with its beauty, but with a fascinating piece of history hidden within the woods. The bomber site is in the middle.. We rode out via the Chinook Campground trail to the Warren Wagon road. A six-mile hike with a pack is no small chore for a child. Unable to maintain altitude, the pilot decided to attempt a landing in Boise. But if you want to see the bomber, it’s decision time at the lake. You can visit the bomber on the southeast side of the lake via a short (~1 mile) spur trail. Nine Mile Falls, WA. The wreckage is on the south side of Loon Lake, approximately 150 feet into the trees. If all you did was hike there, you’d be pleased. Loon Lake Trail Reports. 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Equipped with only one shotgun for protection from bears and wolves and only a few chocolate rations to survive on, they hiked 14 days through snow as deep as 10 feet in certain places. Love Idaho? For more information on the crew, the crash and the rescue check out this free book written by Richard H Holm  Jr. Beginning at the Chinook Campground, head over the bridge and follow the Secesh river before beginning a series of switchbacks. The crew waited five days for help. Located in the 122,100 acre Debar Mountain Wild Forest in the northeastern Adirondacks along the old NY 99, now known as County Route 26. Simply blow up the raft and paddle directly across the lake. The B-23 Dragon bomber crashed there in 1943. Nine Mile Falls, WA. Where the trail meets Loon Creek, leave the trail to follow the creek north to Loon Lake. Nine Mile Falls, WA. Where the trail meets Loon Creek, leave the trail to follow the creek north to Loon Lake. Loon Lake itself is a stunning destination. The trail constantly changes in elevation so there is no section that is harder than the other but overall, you’re looking at 3355′ of elevation gain over the course of 10 miles out-and-back. The plane is incredibly preserved considering it’s been sitting out and exposed to the elements for the better portion of a century. Highest Point: 9,050 ft. Left Fork Forge the creek to get to the left side of the lake and look for the brief outline of a trail. This trail runs 1.75 miles south along the west side of Loon Lake. By this time, the men had been hiking for two weeks. Beginning at the Chinook Campground, trail Secesh River Trail #81follows the gorgeous river through forest. A fun backpacking trip to Loon Lake, 40-miles north of McCall in the Payette National Forest. Loon Lake Overlook (on-site)- From our parking lot, hike ¼ mile up on top of our property to get a beautiful overlook of Loon Lake. conservation easement has re-opened the trail to the old fire tower on Loon Lake Mountain. Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. With no communication, the chances for safe landing began to decrease. Directions to Loon Lake and the Dragon Bomber Wreckage. The supposed clearing was not what it appeared, in fact, it was frozen Loon Lake. As the Bomber reached Central Oregon, the clouds began to swell and a snow flurry began to distort the pilot’s vision. It’s not often that history and hiking collide together but that is exactly what this unique hike does. If you know of a local business that could use some extra support during these times, please nominate them here: The plane was called a B-23 Dragon Bomber. But know that the full plane is there and not just some scraps of metal. I chose not to include a picture of the bomber because it ruins some of the surprise. The hike is a long one, ... it's nice to turn around and look out at the majestic allure of Loon Lake. The plane was returning to McChord Field in Tacoma, Washington from a training mission in Nevada when it flew into a heavy snow storm near Pendleton, Oregon. Head west again on #084. The hike to Loon Lake near McCall, Idaho, features a World War II-era bomber crash site. Maybe this is better in the summer if the water in the lake drops, but definetly don't recommend this trail as it stands now. Get more stories delivered right to your email. This was one of my favorite alpine lakes we have been to this year. The plane slapped against the frozen ice and skidded its way across the surface slamming into the surrounding trees, shearing off its wings and coming to a sudden stop. A few downed trees on the way out from Ruby Meadows campground. But if you want to see the bomber, it’s decision time at the lake. It's the perfect spot to sit back and enjoy all of Idaho's grandeur before making the trip back. As the men began to pack their chutes, the pilot found a clearing in the clouds and spotted what looked like an open field and their only chance of landing the aircraft with minimum damage. From Chinook Campground take trail #080. Along the way you will hike past granite rocks and hills as the trail is a gateway to Desolation Wilderness. It's a little overy a mile to hike around the lake … Reaching the bomber remains typically isn't possible until mid summer or later after the Loon Lake water level drops. To make matters worse ice began to form on the plane slowing the maneuverability of this giant patrol aircraft. If you enjoyed this fascinating piece of history, you’ll love The Eerily Beautiful Shipwreck Hiding Right Here In Idaho! The hike in was via the beautiful Secesh River, named for secessionist minded miners in the area in Civil War times. The hike is approximately 10 miles round-trip. What do you think? One of the trails follows the Secesh River with Prime camping spots, one on the near side of the lake, the other on the far side near the bomber with really Good fishing. The trail is long and eats up most of the day, but how often do you get to see a real piece of history tied to an amazing story of survival? You will encounter various terrains on the way to the lake. Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window), Review of GrandPa’s FireGrill by Light My Fire of Sweden, Truck Camper Conversion Guide: Tips For Building Your Truck Camper Setup, Insulate Windows on Your Truck Bed Camper Shell. Centennial Trail State Park. After crossing the outlet, there is a trail around the east side of the lake to the bomber crash site. A popular walking loop leads from the Chinook Campground in the Payette National Forest, along the banks of the Sesech River to the majestic Loon Lake. The outlet side of Loon Lake. Be prepared to spend the full day on the trail, Don’t forget the sunscreen in the summer months. Chad is often joined on his adventures by his wife, Tori, and their dog, Kona. The bottom of the lake is sandy and slimy so going barefoot is not recommended. One wrong slip up and you’re going to have a really bad time. Find a rock or a place on the beach and sit down for lunch. With no other choice, the crew prepped for an emergency landing. Forge the creek to get to the left side of the lake and look for the brief outline of a trail. Just above Loon Creek take trail #084 west. In 2007, a forest fire destroyed the trail. Mount Spokane State Park With no hope of quick rescue, the men had to do something. The bizarre sight of the wreckage is the perfect reward for a long hike and is something you have to see with your own eyes. Chad can be summed up by his idea of a perfect day: Waking up early to watch the sunrise over the mountains, warm cup of coffee in hand then grabbing his camera and fly rod, hitting the trail to explore some uncharted territory followed by cold beers and campfire steaks. On January 29, 1943, the B-23 "Dragon Bomber" crash landed at Loon lake (elevation 5280') with eight men on board after an attempted emergency landing on the frozen water. Time: 8 hours On January 29, 1943, the B-23 "Dragon Bomber" went down at Loon Lake (elevation 5,280') with eight men aboard. Loon Lake itself is a stunning destination. Most of the logs are burnt and brittle and will collapse under too much weight. The left fork adds only a mile to the hike and is the fastest route so the risk may be worth it. Aaron Mc/AllTrails. I'm glad they spotted us in time. Riverside State Park. The closest airport would be in Boise, Idaho. You may return the way you came, or you may follow trail #081 back north to Chinook Campground. Enjoy this upper trail that is part of the larger Loon Lake Loop when combined with Loon Creek Trail.The trail connects you to Victor Creek south and the Ruby Meadows Trail as well as the Duck Lake Trail and Loon Creek Trail at the gorgeous shoreline of Loon Lake. In 2007, a forest fire destroyed the trail. Loon Lake from the trail. The three mile trail follows logging roads and the old steep trail to the fire tower. Please note that this trail does not start at the road north of Chinook Campgound as shown on most maps, that section has been vacated. The B-23 was then mainly used for training purposes. The wreckage is still there today. 3 men volunteered to go for help. Honestly, the best option is the bring along an inflatable raft that can be pumped up once you get to the lake. Elevation Gain: 3355 ft If you feel like taking a short hIke there is a B23 Dragon Bomber crashed on the far end of the lake. The pilot knew they were not going to make it to Boise. The story behind the crash is a fascinating one, involving eight men enduring the harsh Idaho winter for 21 long days before finally being rescued. Stick as close to the shore as possible where the lake is most shallow. You'll receive your first newsletter soon! Note: If you’re feeling adventurous, check out the B-23 “Dragon Bomber” crash site (GPS Co-ordinates: 45.1589, -115.8413) on the south side of the lake. 2. Thank you! Hike to Loon Lake near McCall, Idaho, features a World War II-era bomber crash site and the Secesh River canyon. If all you did was hike there, you’d be pleased. The snow pounded the plane and the crew began to get anxious. Met some riders coming the other way at a high rate of speed while we were stopped for a Kodak moment. T here’s nothing difficult about hiking this scenic trail along Loon Lake on the Rubicon Trail, which offers picturesque images of the lake if you venture off the forested trail a little bit for the views. You can proceed to the right side of the lake but there is no trail. Will you complete this hike anytime soon? In 1943, eight men boarded an American B-23 twin-engined bomber, also known as the “Dragon Bomber”. Loon Lake: Hike / Camping on Jul 24, 2010 in Boise, ID at Boise, Idaho, United States. Here's a view of Loon Lake from near the bikes, looking southward. Hike to Loon Lake, bomber … The slog to the bomber is a slow journey and eats up a lot more energy but it is safer. Enter your e-mail address for things to do, restaurants to try and much more! Super cool! A wildfire burned much of this area a few years ago so while the shade is not as dense as it once was, the area is recovering nicely. 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