Skip to main content

Backpacking in the Sawtooth Wilderness

Sawtooth Wilderness boundary
Looking toward the far side of Farley Lake - the first campsite 

This past weekend, I went backpacking on an iconic loop in the Sawtooth Mountains of central Idaho. The Sawtooths are beloved and renowned for their dramatic sharp, rocky peaks that resemble the teeth on a saw. I had only been to the Sawtooths once before (six years ago when I was working a seasonal position in McCall), so I was looking forward to exploring more. 

I hiked the Toxaway Lake to Alice Lake Loop, and spent two nights in the backcountry. This was the perfect amount of time to spend backpacking, since it's been several years since I've hit the trail and done backcountry camping. My back and legs were achy and tired by the end of the weekend, but this trip itinerary allowed 

The fire smoke that has been looming over Boise was present in Stanley (a small river town close to the Sawtooths) and the views of the mountains took on a dreamlike, mystical quality with the haze and dust in the air. 

The loop crosses plenty of fresh, cold water streams to use a water pump or otherwise filter drinking water. The trails were not overly crowded, and the dispersed camping nature of traveling in the wilderness means you can choose to camp anywhere, and distance yourself from other backpackers. 

Spending time in the wilderness was a welcome time of relaxation and a shift in focus away from the pandemic to the motion of putting my feet forward on the trail, the satisfaction taking off my backpack at the end of each day, and the delight in seeing new lakes and beautiful mountains. 

Head to the Sawtooth National Forest's website to find out more information on the Sawtooth Wilderness, including  advisories, maps, and permit information. Happy trails! 
Perched on a rocky bluff above Farley Lake at the first campsite 


A rewarding view of the Twin Lakes after traversing the Snowyside Divide


Beautiful Alice Lake 


Bridge crossing over one of the many streams on the trail 

The beautiful rocky ravine on the return trip to Pettit Lake
Labels:
Location: Stanley, ID 83278, USA

Comments

  1. LouAugust 26, 2020 at 7:37 AM

    Sounds like you found the area just as enchantingly beautiful as your first visit 6 years ago. Looks like a beautiful part of the country!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. BonnieAugust 26, 2020 at 8:08 AM

      Thank you! It's a beautiful area that I look forward to exploring more!

      Delete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Morley Nelson Snake River Birds of Prey Driving Tour

Driving tour of Birds of Prey National Conservation Area - click here to see the brochure and map A couple of weeks ago, I took a driving tour of the Birds of Prey National Conservation Area. The driving route outlines some notable geographic features of the area, as well as bringing birds to great spots above the Snake River for catching glimpses of birds of prey. Read more about the history of this unique area here .  View of Initial Point Snake River at Celebration Park Helpful bird identification sign at Dedication Point This sign at the Kuna Visitors Center has great ideas for stops along the Western Heritage Historic Byway View from Dedication Point
Post a Comment
Read more

One Year in Boise!

  View from 8th Street Extension Trail  A beautiful morning walk in the foothills  This week marks my anniversary of living in Boise for one year! I can hardly believe that this time last year, I was arriving in the City of Trees, strolling along the Boise Greenbelt in awe, and taking photos of the river. In some ways, it feels inconceivable that a year has gone by, but in other ways, the amount of things I've done and places I've gone in Idaho this past year seem impressive. It seems like a common theme that individual moments and days can seem slow, but years fly by.  In honor of my one-year anniversary of living in Boise, I jotted down a list of some of my favorite memories of exploring this city and state.   Memories of this past year (in no particular order): Floating the Boise River twice Showing my parents Boise (driving up to Bogus Basin, running a half marathon, the farmer's market, biking the Greenbelt,  hiking Ridge to Rivers trails, etc) Learning wildflowers of
1 comment
Read more

Quarantine Driving Tour of Boise

Map of the Boise Driving Tour to go along with this guide. Find the map here . We're all still under the statewide Stay at Home order here in Idaho, but many of us are itching to get out and enjoy the beautiful spring weather we've been having. Luckily, outdoor recreation is still permissible and encouraged, as long as social distancing guidelines are followed.  Another great way to shake things up and enjoy the beauty of this time to year is to take a scenic drive around Boise. I put together a guide of some significant parts of Boise  Here is a map with directions between each stop on the driving tour: Boise Driving Tour Map 1. Start at the  Idaho State Capitol Building in downtown Boise. Did you know it's the only capitol building in the U.S. that is heated with geothermal water?   check out this online tour of the Capitol and this fact page on the Capitol .  2. Cruise through downtown and stretch your legs at Freak Alley Gallery ,  an alley-way of mural
1 comment
Read more