21 for 2.6 miles and turn left on the well-graded FR 619. Trailhead directions: From Stanley, drive west on Hwy. Backpackers will find plenty of sites near Alpine Lake and limited spots near Sawtooth Lake. The lake is surrounded by soaring peaks, including Alpine Peak and the triangular Mt. From Alpine Lake it is another mile and 600 feet of additional gain to see the 173-acre Sawtooth Lake.
It is 7.8 miles (out-and-back) and 1,300 feet of gain to reach Alpine Lake. Families will find the scenic meadow near the Sawtooth Wilderness boundary-1.1 miles from the trailhead-to be an excellent destination. This trek breathes Sawtooth Mountains-soaring peaks, wildflower meadows, towering conifer forest, crystal-clear creeks, and cobalt-blue lakes all encircled in a geological world of granite. Photo Credit: Scott Marchant.īe forewarned: A visit to the Alpine and Sawtooth lakes may make you want to never return home. Gorgeous mountain views at Sawtooth Lake. There is a restroom and overnighters can stay at the nearby 28-campsite Pittsburgh Campground. Follow the dirt road 17 miles and turn left on FR 493A which leads 1.6 miles to the trailhead. 95 about a mile, cross the bridge over the Salmon River and turn left on Deer Creek Road. Trailhead directions: The trailhead is located near Pittsburgh Landing, about 19 miles southwest of Hwy. The original ranch house from the 1930s is still intact and the nearby Kirkwood Creek provides a beautiful, riparian habitat to enjoy this scenic setting. For history buffs, you can visit the historic Kirkwood Ranch about six miles from the trailhead. Fall is another nice alternative but think twice in summer when temperatures soar. Spring is the best time to hike-wildflowers bloom, the canyon is green, seasonal creeks flow, and temperatures are mild. The first mile of the hike is suited for families. The route is rarely flat-it winds up and down canyon walls and over rock outcroppings, sometimes dynamited several hundred feet above the river. The scenery is spectacular as the river is always close and steep, canyon walls soar thousands of feet above the trail. The long trail-nearly 27 miles one-way-allows users to mastermind out-and-back hikes of varying lengths. Photo Credit: Scott Marchant.įor one of the best canyon hikes in Idaho, look no further than the Snake River Trail in Hells Canyon. Snake River Trail in Hells Canyon Wildflowers cover the area with color in Hells Canyon. The campground is located on the scenic Hazard Lake. Vault toilets, drinking water and overnight camping are available at the Hazard Campground, just north of the trailhead. Continue 21.5 miles (the road turns to improved gravel at 3.8 miles) and turn right into the signed trailhead. Turn right on Brundage Mountain-Goose Lake Road. Trailhead directions: From downtown McCall, drive west 5.5 miles on ID 55.
Other trailheads along Goose Lake Road provide access to Granite Mountain Lookout, Twin Lakes, the Grass Mountain Lakes and Hidden Lake. You can extend the hike to nearly five miles (out-and-back) by trekking to the smaller, but equally impressive Hard Creek Lake. The short hike to Upper Hazard Lake (3.8 miles out-and-back) and easy elevation gain (350 feet) makes this outing an outstanding choice for families. An easy hike, the trek offers flower-filled meadows, soaring granite peaks, solitude and the beautiful Upper Hazard Lake, flanked by the 8,607-foot Bruin Mountain. Photo Credit: Scott Marchant.Ībout 20 minutes north of Brundage Mountain Resort near McCall is a splendid hike exploring two high-alpine beauties-Upper Hazard and Hard Creek lakes. Upper Hazard and Hard Creek Lakes Nothing but blue skies at Upper Hazard Lake. So, lace up your boots and prepare yourself to be surprised by the unforgettable scenery of the rough-hewn landscape of Idaho. Below, I’ve listed a diverse selection of hikes from a lengthy and challenging backpack in Hells Canyon to a short hike along the winding Crooked River. Whether you are a novice to hiking or a long-time veteran, you will find trails suited for every ability. is found here, including the spectacular peaks in the Sawtooth Mountains, the lunar landscape of Craters of the Moon, the rugged canyons of the Owyhee Canyonlands, and the dense forests of Idaho’s Panhandle. Some of the most beautiful and varied topography in the U.S. Unknown to many, the state contains the nation’s largest designated wilderness outside of Alaska-the 2.3 million acre Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness-and over 20 million acres of national forest. Scott Marchant worked in partnership with Visit Idaho to create this Travel Tip.
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