5. The hike to Sawtooth Lake is a five-mile trek suitable for most hikers and boasts breathtaking views of alpine lakes and towering mountains You’ll want to bring your camera along for this hike, as you’ll traverse up 1,700 feet in elevation until you reach the largest alpine lake in the Sawtooth Mountains. This trail climbs 520 m (1,710 ft) and takes about six hours out and back. This trail leads high into jagged granite peaks where Sawtooth Lake is cradled in a basin below McGowan Peak. Directions & Details: The Sawtooth Lake hike starts from the same trailhead as that of Goat Lake, Iron Creek Trailhead. This trail is actually longer than Goat Lake but the trail grade is much less steep. Alpine Lake to Sawtooth Lake. After following the creek with some distant views toward the trees, the trail … Everything You Need to Know About Hiking Sawtooth Lake Iron Creek to Sawtooth Lake Trail Details. Goat Lake: trail is mostly melted out except for a few snow patches as you approach the lake. The last 2 miles get steep. Turn right, cross the bridge, bear left at the "Y" intersection, and drive 0.6 mile to the Tin Cup Transfer Camp parking area. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, nature trips, and bird watching and is best used from July until September. The Sawtooth NRA has over 700 miles of trails, 40 peaks rising over 10,000 feet and 300-plus high-elevation alpine lakes that add to the spectacular scenery and vistas. Sawtooth Lake is an alpine lake in Custer County, Idaho, United States, located high in the Sawtooth Mountains in the Sawtooth National Recreation Area.The lake is approximately 6.8 miles (10.9 km) southwest of Stanley.A trail from the Iron Creek trailhead and campground leads approximately 5 miles to Sawtooth Lake. Enjoy sweeping vistas of the valley and the Sawtooth wilderness. There are relatively flat trails, and there are very steep trails, so choose the one that best suits you. The trail gradually steepens as you climb up onto the ridge, passing through gorgeous wildflower fields and aspen groves. Toxaway Lake is almost 1 mile in length and one of the largest in the Sawtooth Wilderness. Most of the high passes are still snowed in. The first several miles of the trail is relatively easy and flat with glimpses of Iron Creek in the woods. Sawtooth Lake Trail On the map, the parking lot was at “Iron Creek Trailhead”, named after the creek flowing next to it. Photo courtesy of Idaho Tourism 2. Sawtooth Lake is a 6 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Dillon, Montana that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as moderate. Wilderness Regulations. Very photogenic Sawtooth Lake is one of the most-visited corners of the Sawtooths; expect to see other hikers here on nice summer weekends and to compete for campsites with backpackers. Once at the end, I dipped back down to the shore, crossed, and found a decent scramble up in to the snowy valley. I took the trail along the north end of the lake to the pass between Sawtooth Lake and the McGown Lakes. Looking back on Sawtooth Lake; Unnamed Lake 8271; Unnamed blue lake… Follow road 1.5 miles to a four-way intersection. Chadd Cripe ccripe@idahostatesman.com This 10-mile trek begins at the Iron Creek Trailhead and is only a 12-minute drive from your Triangle C Cabins rental. Sawtooth Lake in the southern Pioneer Mountains is a popular summertime hike. You’ll hike through forest interspersed with open meadows with views of the jagged spires rising above the valley that are characteristic of the Sawtooth Range. From the lake, the trail splits off in three different directions. It is a 10-mile easy round trip on a nice path to walk from one end of Redfish lake to the other. Alturas Lake and Pettit Lake Areas Alturas Lake is the southernmost of the Sawtooth NRA's big lakes. 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