By Michael Lanza
I could also be risking an impassioned debate right here, however I feel there are only a few mountain ranges in America with as many drop-dead, attractive excessive mountain lakes as Idaho’s Sawtooths. Sure, a couple of mountain ranges clearly outnumber the Sawtooths in that division, just like the Excessive Sierra, Cascades, and Wind River Vary. However I imagine the Sawtooths deserve related recognition, and I’ve seen a lot of these watery jewels over greater than 20 years of wandering round Idaho’s best-known hills. This gallery of pictures of many of them could persuade you to agree with me—and to see them for your self.
I don’t make this declare about Sawtooth Mountains lakes evenly. I’ve hiked and backpacked all around the nation as a previous Northwest Editor for Backpacker journal for 10 years and even longer running this blog, and I’m an enormous fan of the High Sierra and the Winds, the Tetons, the Cascades (particularly the North Cascades), the White Mountains (the place I began climbing), and different mountain ranges. Anybody studying my story “Tent Flap With a View: 25 Favorite Backcountry Campsites” or taking a look at my photo gallery of favorite backcountry lakes will see I’ve camped by lots of good lakes.
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Some lakes within the Sawtooths, like Alice and Sawtooth lakes, are well-known. Others are extra distant and obscure; you’ll have by no means seen a photograph of a few of these. All are solely reached by climbing or using a horse for miles into the wilderness. Seeing these unimaginable locations requires effort and time.
When you think about the wonder and the sheer numbers of clear, excessive mountain lakes tucked in granite basins ringed by hovering cliffs and jagged peaks, I simply suppose Idaho’s Sawtooths are up there with the most effective. I rank the Sawtooths amongst the 10 best backpacking trips in America.
Click on on the photograph gallery to open it and use proper and left arrow keys to scroll by way of it. Discover hyperlinks beneath the gallery to tales about backpacking within the Sawtooths at The Massive Exterior.
Click here now for my skilled e-guide to the most effective backpacking journey in Idaho’s Sawtooths!
For those who suppose I’ve neglected an excellent lake within the Sawtooths, or in the event you imagine of a variety with prettier mountain lakes, please recommend it within the feedback part beneath this story. I strive to reply to all feedback.
See all of my stories about Idaho’s Sawtooth Mountains, together with “The Best of Idaho’s Sawtooths: Backpacking Redfish to Pettit,” “Jewels of the Sawtooths: Backpacking to Alice, Hell Roaring, and Imogene Lakes,” “Going After Goals: Backpacking in Idaho’s Sawtooth Mountains,” “Roof of Idaho’s Sawtooths: Hiking Thompson Peak,” and “The Best Hikes and Backpacking Trips in Idaho’s Sawtooths.” Most tales about journeys at The Massive Exterior require a paid subscription to learn in full, together with my skilled tips about learn how to plan and take these journeys.
I’ve helped many readers plan an unforgettable backpacking journey in Idaho’s Sawtooths and elsewhere. Need my assist with yours? See my Custom Trip Planning page to study extra.
