These campgrounds often do not have any amenities, like bathrooms or even trash cans, so depending on if youre in a van, like us, or tent camping, youll need to be prepared to pack out everything you bring. Sign up to be the first to learn about new products, promotions and more! While in Stanley, it's a MUST to stop at Stanley Baking Company for breakfast pastries and the Redfish Lodge lounge a little outside of town for a post-adventure cocktail. I must say that in 30 years of backpacking and avid hiking, i have never seen a ticki remember the bumper sticker that said,"visit Idaho , the Rocky Mountain Tick State", that was , abviously to deter the masses of visitors.I am not sure, but at the elevation of the Sawtooths, there may not be any ticksthe poisionous snakes do not live at that elevation and the fleas do not as well. From the An abundance of trails near town offer access to the meadows, allowing you to take long hikes or short strolls to enjoy the plants in bloom. If you would like to experience our lodge, browse our accommodations to start planning your stay. Also hidden within its boundaries are deep, secluded valleys covered with enormous stands of trees. Sawtooth Mountain offers a variety of routes from a class 1 walk up via Buchanan Pass, or a class 2+ route up its mile long east ridge. An abundance of trails near town offer access to the meadows, allowing you to take long hikes or short strolls to enjoy the plants in bloom. Do you know if the Petit Lake trailhead is 2WD? Not surprisingly, this striking mountain landscape was a favorite playground of Ernest Hemingway, who is buried in the Ketchum area. Hell, this will actually be my first truly solo alpine trip in my life. Do you know if the Petit Lake trailhead is 2WD? Visit the BCP store for more information. The best part? The range is home to hundreds of gorgeous alpine lakes and jagged peaks (they look like a saw! Stop at the North Fork Visitor Center for trail maps, books, brochures and a small natural history museum. With such great weather, there are countless things to do at Redfish Lake Lodge in the summer. Hmmm Have you considered the Owyhee area? (In this case, theyre more likely to be arrowleaf balsamroot.) It can't hurt to check conditions as your trip date approaches. It is a guessing game, but the Sawtooths are worth any bite. The unit emits not only a blue light to attract insects, but also emits a CO2 scent, which is irresistible to mosquitoes. The path to the top is steep but well-maintained. The iconic view of the lake and of Mt. It encompasses an area of 678 square miles (1,756 km 2) spanning parts of Custer, Boise, Blaine, and Elmore counties, and is bordered to the east by the Sawtooth Valley. Including it on our week-long Sawtooth scamper in late July. Elk Mountain Trailhead I'm always the one who picks one up wherever we hike. The Outbound works best with JavaScript enabled. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Why Hike It? Sara Sheehy worked in partnership with Visit Idaho to create this Travel Tip. Now on the only day, (in laws are coming today BUSSING INTO SV) that was supposed to be nice, it is snowing. The Sawtooths are beautiful to visit year round, but for the sake of this guide, wed suggest visiting between late June and September. A total of 57 summits top 10,000 feet in the Sawtooth Mountains, and nearly 400 trout-filled alpine lakes, many sitting well over 8,000 feet, shimmer in high bowls sculpted by long-ago glaciers. With 57 peaks over 10,000 feet in elevation, this mountain range is one of the prettiest and most striking in the United States. If we dont have what you are looking for or you would like to come when Redfish Lake Lodge is closed for the season, consider our other properties. The Bench Lakes are comprised of five alpine lakes, each of which is surrounded by myriad wildflowers during the warmer months. No matter how high the thermometer goes outside, the ice-filled cave stays a refreshing 23 to 33 degrees Fahrenheit. United States. (Sa. If I can get time away from work I'll meet you some place. Happy exploring! Beginning at the Fourth of July Trailhead, youll scramble a bit as you follow a ridgeline and traverse several meadows to sample some of the trails best terrain. Mosquito season: May-September. Before embarking on your adventure, please review theLeave No Trace principlesto ensure you leave every place better than you found it, so that others can enjoy these beautiful places for many years to come!These seven principles include planning ahead and preparing, hiking and camping on durable surfaces, disposing of waste properly (pack out what you pack in! Morning is a great time to photograph Stanley Lake since the winds are usually calm. In June there are mosquitoes and ticks but not much else. The politicians wanted to know what form of protection Idahoans preferred for the Sawtooth Mountains: a national park or a national recreation area. The tiny town is somewhat isolated, as the nearest big city, Boise, is nearly three hours away. really depends on what you would like to do here. The Sawtooth mountains rival many of the more popular mountain ranges in the U.S. in both size and beauty, but outside of Idaho, they're still relatively unknown. Mosquito season: March-September. Far below the jagged peaks of the Sawtooth range, mountain meadows near Stanley burst to life in spring and summer with the arrival of gorgeous wildflowers. Thoughts? Whether youre a photographer, a wildflower enthusiast, or a nature lover who appreciates the colors of spring, youll have a memorable time exploring the trails near Stanley. In Ketchum, take a short walk to Knob Hill for a panoramic view of the town and mountains beyond, then enjoy downtowns wide variety of boutique shops, art galleries, restaurants and cafes. I don't know how many people know about/use this, but I frequently use the. I'll keep a lookout for what's open by then - the forest service will put out a report around memorial day as far as what's available. TDD: 800-877-8339, https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/sawtooth/recarea/?recid=5969, AllSawtooth Wilderness users must possess a free Wilderness Use Permit which outlines the. Like other alpine lake hikes in the region, Alpine Lake can be tackled on a long day hike or on an overnight backpacking trip. If you're looking to quickly experience the mountains in all of their glory, check out this mini photography adventure. There are three main areas to eat in the Sawtooth ValleySmiley Creek, Redfish Lake Lodge and Stanley. Learn more. First, the mountains still have snow on them which lend well to photographs. Stanleys natural surroundings are often described as rugged. The Sawtooths did not disappoint, with their seemingly . Just when you think all's right with the worldbuzz, buzz, buzz, SLAP! The views of the White Cloud Mountains from the Marshall Lake Along the way, youll follow a ridge overlooking Redfish Lake, one of the most scenic spots in the Stanley area. Bring your tent (or a camper if that's what you're into) and soak it all in. Take it all in by pulling off at the large scenic viewpoint just past the summit. Don't forget your fishing pole! Especially in Stanley. For information please contact the Sawtooth NRA at (208)727-5000, Ketchum Ranger Station at (208)622-0090,Stanley Ranger Station at (208)774-3000 or the supervisor's office at (208)423-7500. Jerome, ID 83338 Semi-developed campsites line Magic Reservoir; otherwise, plentiful lodging options are available in the Wood River Valley. From time to time, Id even sink in chest deep in particularly soft snow. Sara Sheehy seeks adventure in the mountains of Idaho and beyond. Flowing streams? Note: this guide contains affiliate links, which means that if you use the links provided and make a purchase, we get a small commission at no extra cost to you. An ice cold drink in your hand. Go over your options to find the perfect fit for you, then book your stay. Learn more. For a moderate, four-mile hike, park at the Plenty of good quality bug repellant, nice smoky fire, and make sure to check everybody for ticks every night. All Rights Reserved. I'm sure all of the campgrounds down in the valley will be open but I'm thinking most of the trails into the backcountry won't be open very far back. Your email address will not be published. After that I hiked to the far side of the lake and photographed the Milky Way with McGown Peak in the background. Another good photo location is found just about 3 miles from Stanley while driving eastbound on Hwy 21. Nice hike, but the mosquitoes were horrible 8.5mi Jun 27, 2018 Christopher Rix. Okay so I need to figure out where the hell I'm going on this trip. If you think the best time to visit the Sawtooth Mountains is when there is snow on the ground, winter weather is for you. I'll have from then until Monday morning when I have to be into Boise working. The kids can splash around on the shore as you enjoy the summer sun! Looking more like I'll be home from The Maze for all of 36 hours and then on my way north to the Boise area. Despite the difficulty, it was fun to overnight at Sawtooth Lake while it was still iced over. Down on the valley floor, stop in at Smiley Creek Lodge for a huckleberry ice cream or a sit-down meal. I've done a fair amount of solo stuff with a dog but never without in the mountains. They come out around dusk for the worst part. to see it for yourself! The final stop on the Sawtooth Scenic Byway is Stanley, a year-round community of about 70 people that welcomes tens of thousands of visitors each summer. Beyond that, we recommend going back to the basics. Stanley Lake is another great place to visit on the North Side of the Sawtooths. Here are just a handful of the highlights along this route, traveling from south to north. This is an absolutely amazing hiking trail! I had already packed up my stuff and was heading back to the car when I happened to look back over my shoulder and saw this great color developing. The views are endless, there are gorgeous lakes, and the area feels so remote, without tons of huge resorts, much civilization, or any cell service. Check out a list of all the dining options at Visit Sun Valley. During the early summer, mosquitoes can be a particular nuisance. The image below is a nice sunset from Basin Butte Road. Learn more. February 16, 2023, Why Do Carpenter Bees Hover? But in the early summer monthswhen wildflowers are most likely to bloom in the great numbersyou cant go wrong with the 8.5-mile section between Iron Creek and Stanley Lake. Become a BCP Supporting Member and kiss them all goodbye. The leg odometer passes 11 miles roundtrip, and that doesn't account for the steep switchbacks encountered on the latter-half of the hike. The difference between summer and winter varies even more; summer days can be in the eighties while winter can be expected to be below freezing. But this mountain outpost is full of surprises. Located in Central Idaho, the Sawtooth Mountains are home to hundreds of gorgeous alpine lakes and jagged peaks (they look like a saw! We also recommend saving any trails to your AllTrails app so you can view the map on hikes. Here's the way a mosquito bites.She lands on your skin. If you think the best time to visit the Sawtooth Mountains is when there is snow on the ground, winter weather is for you. This north-bound railroad spur was frequented first by miners, then by sheep ranchers, and then by tourists on their way to the ski slopes at Sun Valley Resort.

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