Sawtooth Area, central Idaho

researched by Glenn Davis - last updated September 2, 2000

The Sawtooth area consists of the Sawtooth Mountains on the west, and the White Cloud and Boulder Mountains on the east.  These are separated by a Sawtooth Valley, geologically a graben, through which Highway 75 runs.  The town of Stanley is north of the north end of this valley.

The Forest Service has a low-res MAP.

Wilderness Fees:  There is a fee for parking at trailheads.  It's $5 for 3 days, and $15 for a year.  If you have a Golden Eagle Pass, it's free.

Here is trail status information.    On July 12 we read: "Cramer Divide: Trail mostly covered in snow."  We must watch these reports.  It seems that the ranges on the east have less snow.

See also: Sawtooth National Forest Home Page and another Sawtooth National Forest Home Page and campground list.


Sawtooth Wilderness

This area is west of highway 75.  It contains the Sawtooth Mountain range.  The highest peak is about 10,700.  The rock is granite.  It is jagged, so climbing any peaks, or traveling cross-country, look unlikely.  My guidebook is not a climbing guide, so this opinion may be too pessimistic.

The Sawtooth Wilderness mostly trends north-south with the steepest side on the east, just like the Sierra.  Most of the of the trailheads are on the east side, and very close to the town of Stanley.  Here is a list of trailheads worthy of consideration, starting on the north and going clockwise:
 
 
Trailhead elevation notes
Stanley Lake
6513
north side
Iron Creek
6710
east side
Redfish Lake
6547
east side
Hell Roaring, lower
6780
east side
Hell Roaring, upper
7200
east side, 4 miles of dirt road are required to reach it
Pettit Lake
6996
east side 
Grandjean
5106
west side

Here are some possible trips:
 
starting TH ending TH foot miles car miles high point notes
Redfish Lake Hell Roaring, upper
30.6
15.4
9500
passes Hell Roaring Lake, the lake below Finger of Fate is a side trip of about 1 mile from here
Redfish Lake Pettit Lake
33.9
15.8
9500
intersects most of the previous trip (about 20 miles of it), does not go close to Finger of Fate
Iron Creek Redfish Lake
31.0
11.8
9400
passes Sawtooth Lake which is a popular area
Stanley Lake Redfish Lake
37.0
14.5
9400
passes Sawtooth Lake which is a popular area
Grandjean Stanley Lake
20.3
41.6
9000
it is possible to reach the Sawtooth Lake and return to Grandjean by a different root, thus making a loop starting and ending at Grandjean

 
 


White Cloud and Boulder Mountains


These ranges are east of highway 75.   The highest peak is Castle Peak at 11,800 feet.  The rock is limestone.  From the photographs in the book, it is not as jagged as the Sawthooth granite.   Climbing peaks, or traveling cross-country, might be possible.  Most of the trails and nice lakes are on the east side.

I see only 2 worthwhile trailheads:
 
Trailhead elevation notes
Fourth of July Creek TH
8900
west side, 10.1 miles of gravel road, #14 on the map.
Livingston Mill
7221
east side, 4.8 miles of dirt road, it is called Boulder Creek #13 on the map

 

Here are some possible trips:
 
starting TH ending TH foot miles car miles high point notes
Fourth of July Creek Livingston Mill
24.1
78.5
10,280
cross-country route over pass to Four Lakes basin.  May have snow cornices until mid-August.  Some cross-country after that.  Side-trips possible.  lots of car travel.
Fourth of July Creek Livingston Mill
24.8
78.5
10,000
trail route over Castle Divide,  passes by Castle Peak,  some side trips possible
Livingston Mill Livingston Mill
14.2
0.0
9868
not a loop trip, hike up to Big Boulder Lakes Basin, past Walker Lake, then to Sapphire Lake and return.  Many side trips to other lengths are possible, plus some peaks.
Livingston Mill Livingston Mill
23.8
0.0
9516
not a loop trip, hike up to Chain Lakes Basin, psst Willow Lake, then to Hummock Lake and return.  Many side trips to other lengths are possible, plus some peaks
Livingston Mill Livingston Mill
36.0
0.0
9868
combination of 2 previous trips, visiting both lake basins.  This one may be too long.


Trip Photos

Sid, Loretta, and I decided to do Hell Roaring, lower to Redfish Lake.  The total mileage was 29 miles.  We camped 5 nights at these 5 lakes: Hell Roaring Lake,
Imogene Lake, Edna Lake, Hidden Lake, and Middle Cramer Lake.  These photos were taken by Sid+Loretta:
 
 

thumbnail description
Loretta and Glenn below Imogene Divide,
to which we are about to hike
MAP
Sid and Loretta from Imogene Divide, with Imogene Lake,
where we camped the previous night, in the background
Glenn at Imogene Divide, recovering his hat
Sid and Glenn hanging food at Edna Lake
MAP
Glenn from Payette Peak (10,211 feet), with Hidden Lake in background.
High peak in background is probably Elk Peak (10,582 feet). Photo by Sid.
MAP