Thirtythree Lake is a stunning mountain lake located in central Idaho’s Lick Creek Range, northwest of McCall, not far from Lick Creek Summit. The lake is highly scenic, but getting there isn’t easy. Less than three miles of hiking is required, but there is no maintained trail, so plan for some bushwhacking and a little scrambling along the way.

One of the highlights of each summer is doing a backpacking trip with my sons. This year we chose Thirtythree Lake because it sounded like a great adventure. After a drive of just over 3 hours from Boise, we hit the “trail” at about 3pm, armed with a gpx from Splattski just in case. Surprisingly, there were 3 other vehicles at the trailhead. (We shared the lake with 2 other parties, unusually busy due the Labor Day weekend.)

The early part of the trail wandered through the trees. We just followed our noses and enjoyed the shade. The trail was easier to follow in some places than others, and was downright hard to follow sometimes. But after a while, the boys route-finding instincts were improving, and our spirits stayed high.

After a couple miles of interesting hiking, things got much more interesting. The trail seemed to dead-end into what looked like a cliff. But we were patient, and made our way up the steep slopes, eventually reaching the ridgeline above the lake. From the ridge, we carefully descended through the boulders, and made it to the lake. It had that “infinity pool” feel to it as we gazed across toward the outlet. We chatted briefly with some other campers, then made our way counterclockwise round the lake.

We ended up with the premier campsite by the big rock near the southeast corner of the lake. The boys checked out the lake while I made quesadillas for dinner, pausing briefly to watch some folks jump off the diving board log laying on the rock. After dinner, we wandered around the lake to the east side, and took in the sunset views from a commanding position overlooking the valley below.

Before turning in for the night, we laid out on the rock, checking out the stars for about an hour before heading for the tent. The best quote of the night came from my oldest son while ponding the Milky Way: “Pictures can capture the beauty of some things, but not this.”

Once the sun warmed up our tent the next morning, we had breakfast and packed up camp. The climb back up to the ridge stared us in the face as we rounded the lake. The climb itself actually went pretty quickly, as we weaved through boulders and up slabs to the ridge. Once at the saddle, we dropped our packs and got ready for a climb of Tsum Peak (Peak 8744’).

Tsum Peak is only a half mile and just over 600’ of elevation gain from the saddle, so we thought we’d give it a shot. The boys did great with some class 3 scrambling on the way up. But we were moving slowly and carefully, so by the time we got the false summit, it was almost our turnaround time. As a result, the boys decided to wait at the false summit, while I made a 20 minute round trip dash to the summit. (We had each other in view the entire time.) Summit views were great in all directions, and I was even able to text my wife to let her know her boys were doing well.

On the way back, we kept it slow as we downclimbed a few scrambly sections back to our packs at the saddle. Then we did some more careful descending until reaching flatter ground in the valley below. Once at the creek, we stopped to pump water and hydrate for the final couple miles back to the car, where we celebrated with PB&J’s, followed by ice cream back in McCall.

All in all, Thirtythree Lake had been a great adventure. According to my sons, it was arguably the most scenic lake we’d ever backpacked to, and probably the most challenging too. Round trip was about 7 miles and 2800’ of elevation gain for both the lake and Tsum Peak. (For just the lake, with no peak, plan on 6 miles and 2200’ gain.)

Map of the route, 7 miles and 2800' gain round trip.	Start of the hike.	Heading up the valley.	Is there a trail here?	Nearing the headwall.
Resting in the sun.	Golden-mantled ground squirrel, posing.	Getting steep.	First view of 33 Lake. Wow.	View across the lake.
Pondering that next step.	Practicing his slab climbing.	Setting up the tent.	Evening view of Thirtythree Lake.	Looking down on our campsite.
Checking out the views of the valley to the east.	Morning view of Thirtythree Lake.	Group shot as we were leaving.	Slabby climbing to regain the ridge.	Tsum Peak from below.
Scrambling up the ridge toward Tsum Peak.	Tsum Peak summit view. My sons are above the rocks near center.	Tsum Peak from the false summit.	Thirtythree Lake from the ridge.	Heading back to the car.
Map of the route, 7 miles and 2800' gain round trip.Start of the hike.Heading up the valley.Is there a trail here?Nearing the headwall.Resting in the sun.Golden-mantled ground squirrel, posing.Getting steep.First view of 33 Lake. Wow.View across the lake.Pondering that next step.Practicing his slab climbing.Setting up the tent.Evening view of Thirtythree Lake.Looking down on our campsite.Checking out the views of the valley to the east.Morning view of Thirtythree Lake.Group shot as we were leaving.Slabby climbing to regain the ridge.Tsum Peak from below.Scrambling up the ridge toward Tsum Peak.Tsum Peak summit view. My sons are above the rocks near center.Tsum Peak from the false summit.Thirtythree Lake from the ridge.Heading back to the car.