Credit: Vanna Mae, @vannamaeart
Planning your Mirror Lake BLM trip
The weather around Mirror Lake, Idaho, is mild in all four seasons. The average lows in the winter are barely below freezing while the average highs in the summer just touch 90 F. The area gets very little snow, so you can hike all year round.
If you're going to hunt or trek outside of the Mirror Lake general area, then it's a good idea to bring reflective, bright-colored clothing to stand out from the terrain. Other hunters can then see you much more easily. A compass, battery-operated GPS, and extra socks are all good ideas on a climb or a hike that takes you away from Mirror Lake.
If you can get them from the U.S. Forestry Service, having maps along for your climb or hike will be a very good idea. Although the weather is mild in the area, getting lost in the forests of the Idaho Panhandle is dangerous. Even if you know exactly where you are, you also have to be mindful of wildlife predators and know what to do if you run across them. Never approach a predator, especially bears of any kind, closer than about 300 feet.
Know what to do if you are surprised, such as maintaining eye contact with cougars but not with bears. Do not approach. Hold your arms out to show that you're a human being and back away slowly. Bring bear spray along, just in case. It works on cougars too. Be cautious, educate yourself, and you'll be fine. Before you head out on your trip, check out our blog for all you need to know about BLM camping.
