Summer in Idaho: Sawtooth Wilderness Spotlight

Summer is here, bringing with it those long sunny days. There is no better time to get outside and explore the nature Idaho has to offer, and there is no better place to do it than the Sawtooth Wilderness. The Sawtooths are a mountain range in Central Idaho and are legendary for rugged, sharp peaks, crystal clear alpine lakes, and spectacular vistas. Start planning your Sawtooth trip this summer using this guide!

Redfish Lake:

Redfish Lake is a stunning alpine lake that sits right outside of Stanley, Idaho. It has been a popular destination to relax and unwind since the 1800s, and was inhabited by the Sheepeaters tribe much earlier than that. Redfish gets its name from the bright red Sockeye Salmon which swim upstream to spawn at the lake each summer. It is said that back before dams and overfishing reduced the Sockeye numbers dramatically, there used to be so many spawning fish returning to Redfish that you could walk on their backs across the lake. Nowadays, visitors flock to enjoy the camping, hiking, boating, and fishing that surround this remarkable lake. Whether it be a day trip or a weekend getaway, Redfish Lake is a staple of the Sawtooths and a must-see!

Hiking:

Hiking in the Sawtooths can include some serious elevation gain, but the views at the top make the trek very rewarding. Since the sheer number of trails can seem overwhelming, here are our top 3 choices that are worth the effort:

Goat Lake:  This trail is an ~8 mile out-and-back hike that leads to a breathtaking alpine lake surrounded by impressive mountains. This trail is challenging with a lot of elevation gain, but jumping in the cold lake at the top helps to refresh and cool off for the hike down.

Fishhook Creek Trail: A family-friendly option, this 5 mile out-and-back trail has minimal elevation gain and ends up with views of the Sawtooth mountains sprawl beyond a gorgeous meadow.

Bench Lakes: A nice intermediate-advanced option is the Bench Lakes trail, which starts near Redfish Lake and goes 8 miles out and back to five different alpine lakes. From the tranquil lakes, you can see craggy peaks of the Sawtooths and even spend the night in one of the countless campgrounds at the 5 Bench lakes.

Camping:

The Sawtooths are a part of the Central Idaho Dark Sky reserve and once the sun sets on the sharp peaks and vast wilderness of this mountain range, the real show begins. When it comes to camping in the Sawtooths, there are two main options: campgrounds and dispersed camping. Campgrounds will typically have much more amenities such as bathrooms, picnic tables, and trash; reservations are recommended and can be tricky to secure. Dispersed camping is camping anywhere in the Sawtooth National Forest outside of designated campgrounds, meaning you could sleep right next to alpine lake and under the tall peaks of the Sawtooths. This is very popular among backpackers and although it can require more gear, it is useful in splitting long hikes into multi-day trips. Remember when camping to Leave No Trace, and pack out or throw away everything you bring in. Whether you're driving up to a campsite for a night or backpacking into an alpine lake, camping is an amazing way to experience the Sawtooths both at day and night! 

Wildlife: 

The Sawtooths are home to countless species of birds, mammals, reptiles and insects and it is almost impossible to enter this National Forest without seeing wildlife. At lower elevations, you might see elk and mule deer, coyotes, snowshoe hares, chipmunks, pine martens, and even the rare black bear. At high elevations, you may be able to spot a mountain goat or a bighorn sheep, which are more common than you would think. Birds you might see include golden and bald eagles, a variety of sparrows, meadowlarks, and red winged blackbirds among many others.