Saturday, July 20, 2024 - Wednesday, July 31, 2024
Sawtooth Mountains,
Other U.S.,
ID
The Sawtooth Range is a part of the Rocky Mountains, located in Central Idaho, named for its jagged peaks. Much of the range is located within the Sawtooth Wilderness. To the east lies the 30-mile long Sawtooth Valley and the town of Stanley, our home for the majority of this trip. To the east of the valley are the White Cloud Mountains. These peaks offer a unique perspective, looking across the valley at the jagged Sawtooth peaks. On this 12-day adventure, we'll explore the alpine lakes, high divides and summits of the Sawtooth and White Cloud. After arriving in Boise, Idaho, we'll meet the group, gather some supplies for the trip, and enjoy a welcome dinner. After one night in Boise, we'll leave it behind for a three hour scenic drive to the town of Stanley, our home for eight nights. We'll enjoy some strenuous and challenging hikes ranging from 7 to 16 miles per day. We'll see wildflowers and wildlife, pristine lakes, jagged peaks and many panoramic views. We'll experience the unique terrain and mountain air as we climb to several divides and summits between 9,000' and 10,000'. Our group will hike to the scenic Alice, Alpine, Bench and Sawtooth Lakes. We'll climb to Baron Divide and summit Ruffneck Peak (9,400'), Observation Peak (9,151') and Horton Peak (9,896'). Late afternoons can be spent relaxing at our inn or poking around town. We will spend our last two nights back in Boise, with a full day to explore the city, before enjoying a farewell dinner and departing for home. This trip is geared towards the experienced hiker. The terrain is rugged and steep in places, and requires agility. Some of the hiking will be at higher elevations where the air will be thinner. One day's hiking duration could be nine hours or more. We will hike at a moderate pace, which will permit time for photos and rest breaks. Participants should be in excellent shape and be able to hike for most of the day and for several days in a row.
