Sawtooth Mountains, ID, Dayhike Report

“While fishing Stanley Lake on Friday morning, I made a plan. During our lunch break, I informed my bro, et al, that I would not be joining them that afternoon, but would instead do a dayhike on the mountain that loomed overhead.

I perused the map that I had purchased on Thursday - the first day of our car-camping expedition. I found that the trailhead near Lake Stanley was, indeed, the logical starting point for my hike up McGown Peak.

Belle and I struck out on trail 640 at about 2 p.m. We followed it for about one mile to trail 528, which turned-off to the south toward the peak. I knew from my topo that I would have to cut westward cross-country at the pass two or three miles up trail.

The cross-country route was fairly easy except for an extremely jagged and narrow stretch of the ridge. We were able to skirt around that portion, and regained the ridge within 300 yds. or so.

The ridge finally flattened out into a spectacular basin dotted with several lakes - some of which were not on the map. From the basin, we started up toward a pass on the southern side. The going got too steep and loose for Belle, so I had her wait behind. I continued, and after a difficult scramble, was rewarded with the most impressive view imaginable. From there, I could see mountain range after mountain range - in almost every direction - that finally disappeared into the haze. Also, I had a commanding view of the basin below, and spied several lakes to explore. I began my descent after about a half hour of awesomeness...

On my way down, I came across Sarabelle, who was determindly making her way up the pass. In fact, she had made it across the most difficult portion. She has developed some great skills.

Back in the basin, we explored every lake. I'm talking about some BEAUTIFUL lakes, here. Just when I thought I had found the greatest camping spot on Earth, I'd come across the "nother" greatest camping spot on Earth. The Sawtooths are unbelievable!

We descended via a southerly drainage - which was a more direct route back. Within a couple miles of often steep scrambling, we rejoined trail 528 about two miles from 640. We were back at camp at about 9:30. We slept well that night!

During the hike, we saw a muley doe, a muley buck (in full velvet - beautiful creature!), and, for my first time in the backcountry, a bull elk - also in full velvet.

It was a great hike.
And if you ever get the chance...”

“That sounds like a nice dayhike gojo - where exactly was it?”

“We was in the Windtooths Montins that is in Wyodaho.

Did you reed the name werds of the thred?
/o:3

How is yer dog doin ok?
Say "hey" for me - happy nice Sarabelle.”

“It is beautiful up there. I used to have a place in Elkhorn and no matter how much time I spent getting out I never felt like I was seeing or doing even a fraction of what was there. Your TR summed it perfectly, thanks for the memories.”

“Your day hike sounds wonderful. We'll be going that way, on a family car camping trip on the way to the Tetons in a few weeks. Another nice place to hike in that area is to Sawtooth Lake from Iron Creek campground. Once there, Mt. Regan looms over the lake, and is a nice scramble. It gets pretty exposed toward the top.

Did you camp at the campground, or at an unofficial place? Any suggestions for car camping in that area?”

“Bob, it has been about ten years since I spent time in that area but unless things have changed dramatically in that area I don't think you would have any problem finding a place to camp in that area. Good fishing too! The Stanley area is great, the best...where I would go if I were headed in that direction. But, if you were so inclined, you could get a good look at how the upper crust lives by going south about an hour to the Sun Valley area. The upper Big Wood river was my favorite fishing area and you can car camp freely. Down in SV, well, bring some bucks for whatever you buy because its gonna cost you. Trail Creek northeast of town has fish and plenty of camping, some developed, some not. If you're a flyfisher you can head south out into the desert and fish the world reknown Silver Creek preserve owned by the Nature Conservancy. If it were me, I'd stick around the Stanley area and avoid the Gucci crowds, but I'm kind of wierd that way.”

“Bob -
We camped in a dispersed camping area near the lake. It was free. There is a CG at the lake, but it costs $11.00 per night.”

“also cool”

“Buddha bear, here's a map”

“Thanks for the advice on Sun Valley, Rockbuck. I like those 5000 square foot cabins. Next time I have 3 million $, I might buy one.

We went on a good hike near SV, the first backpack for my 5 yo and 10 yo. It was Baker Lake, a one mile hike to a nice lake. It was empty except for us, because it was late in the season and very cold. In the summer its probably packed.”