Grand Sawtooth Loop in September 2025?

[samtfischer]

Hi everyone,

I've heard that some of the recent wildfires have made the Grand Sawtooth Loop not doable. Has anyone been able to hike it recently? Trying to pick my next route and was hoping to hit the Sawtooths this year.

 

[Bob]

In 2024 the Wapiti fire burned the NE corner. I suspect they will be doing the trail work this summer. It burned past Grandjean to the Big Meadows on the Payette river, burned up Baron creek almost to little Baron lake, burned all around Stanley lake. Also, 2024, the Bench Lake fire burned along Redfish lake on the north side. Everything in those areas were closed last fall. There was a fire in 2022 along the South side of Alturas Lkae and burned into the head of Altruas cyn and Johnson Creek cyn. Still some untouched areas you can do a point to point, and some decent loops in the middle.

The Grand Loop stays mostly in the Canyons, you can get lakes, much better views.