tree House Camp trail (photo © Hardie Trusdale)
50 feet up (photo © Neail Rabinowitz)
Lake of the Frogs (photo © Antonio)
aerial bridges (photo © Neil Rabinowitz)
regular sighting form Condor Mountain (photo © Carr Clifton)
Lake of the Frogs (photo © Hardie Trusdale)
Tree Houses (photo © Carr Clifton)
Looking down at cave camp form Condor Mountain (photo © Carr Clifton)
view from tree house (photo © Carr Clifton)
Camp Stats:
Nights: 1 (Tues.)
Type: Wilderness/Remote lakeside & old growth forest
Access: A dramatic Tyrolean river crossing over class 6 Zeta Rapid, followed by a gorgeous 3 mile trail, connects the Tree House Camp to the Cave Camp.
Arrival time: Tues. 1:00 PM
Area: 250 acres.
Brief Description: A primeval wonderland tucked into a fold in the Futaleufu Canyon, with thousand foot walls, impressive waterfalls and an intimate, miniature lake shrouded in a vast expanse of ancient, Coyue trees. Perched high in the trees, overlooking the lake and snow-capped mountains are 8 hand-hewn tree houses for sleeping. VIEW
"There was also a great variety to the week, the camps all different from one another, but all surprisingly and ingeniously comfortable-from the arcadian, lost-boys hideaway of Cave Camp to the truly fantastical dwellings up in the canopy of the forest of the Tree House Camp - the food was great." VIEW
- David Rakoff, Outside Magazine
Unique Features:
Tree House Camp Trail: Hand constructed 3 mile trail with wooden sky bridges and steps that connects Cave Camp to Tree House Camp. At times cut into the side of the canyon, dramatic river vistas await around every corner. VIEW
Condor Falls: Observed from the Treehouse Camp trail, a 100 foot waterfall spilling from Lake of the Frogs. VIEW
Lake of the Frogs: 10 acre, 70 foot deep spring-fed swimming and kayaking lake. This intimate body of water is cloaked in an old growth hardwood forest on three sides with snow-capped mountains on the fourth. Cut by the glacier, in a wind-free natural bowl, the glass smooth water reflects the trees and mountains while never missing a sunrise or sunset. At dusk each evening, when the final rays of color fade from the lake, almost on cue, a chorus of frogs welcomes in the night. VIEW
Tree Houses: 8 hand-hewn tree houses, perched 50 feet up in the old growth giants, VIEW Each tree house has a commanding view of the lake and surrounding snow-capped peaks. VIEW The houses were hand crafted by a Chilean master carpenter and no nails were placed in the trees. VIEW
Lakeside hot tub: 16 person hand-hewn hot tub and large deck for dining, with lake and mountain views. VIEW
Ancient Forest: Hundreds of acres of old growth hardwood forest with trees as old as 500 years and up to eight feet in diameter.
Condor Mountain Overlook: A towering bluff overlooking the Futaleufu Canyon, Cave Camp and Zeta Rapid 2,800 feet below in one direction VIEW and Lake of the Frogs and the Sierra Nevada Mountains in the other.VIEW
Activities:
Hiking: Gorgeous 3 mile hike to Tree House Camp. An additional mile hike to the the canyon rim on top of Condor Mountain affords 360 degree views of snow-capped peaks, lakes and often condors soaring in the Canyon’s thermals. VIEW
Swimming: Sensational swimming in 70 degree Lake of the Frogs with a wonderful transition from the 70 degree lake to the 105 degree hot tub. VIEW
Kayaking: Flat water kayaking on Lake of the Frogs.
Tyrolean & Zip line: Used to cross river to access Tree House Camp but actually located at Cave Camp (See Cave Camp Activities).
"Only Earth River offers multii-day/multi-camp expeditions that involve wooden hot-tubs, five star meals and a night spent high above the forest floor in hand crafted tree houses."
- Ryan Krough, Outside Magazine