Sawtooth Mountains (Redfish Lake to Pettit Lake)

Vegan.Hiker

Member
Joined
Jul 5, 2014
Messages
2,099
DSC00231-2.JPG

A few weeks ago I embarked on a 12 day trip to Idaho and Alaska. The first stop on my trip was to visit @Ben and his fiance Brittinei for a few days of backpacking in the Sawtooth Mountains in Idaho. The Sawtooths had been high on my list since reading a bunch of Ben's reports a few years back, particularly this one. I was also really bummed when I had to back out of this trip to the Sawtooths with @Ben, @Chuck the Mauler, Brittinei and another backpacking buddy of mine Matt, 2 years ago. But despite how long I anticipated backpacking the Sawtooths, they far surpassed my expectations.

The trip started with Ben and Brittinei picking me up at the airport (third different airport now where Ben has picked me up). We saw some haze from the ongoing wildfires on the drive up, but it pretty much cleared up as we got closer to the trailhead. Also, a big "thank you" to Ben's mom who was nice enough to help us out with a car shuttle.

The route:
I only had 4 days to hike for this trip before I 'd have to be back in Boise to catch my flight to Anchorage. Ben put together an awesome route for the time allotted. We did an approximately 29 mile point to point starting from Redfish Lake, hiking south finishing at Pettit Lake (see map below). We bypassed about 4.5 miles of trail along Redfish Lake by taking a shuttle boat across the lake. One of the big highlights for me along this route were the pretty lakes along the way; the Cramer Lakes (upper, middle, and lower), Hidden Lake, Edna Lake, Toxaway Lake, Twin Lakes, and Alice Lake., as well as some smaller unnamed lakes and tarns. We camped the first night between Lower and Middle Cramer Lakes, the second night at Edna Lake, and our third night at Alice Lake. All three campsites were among the nicest spots I've camped. The first campsite in the Cramer Lakes was probably the single nicest camp spot I've ever stayed at.


IMG_9571.jpg


DSC00251-2.JPG
I took the picture on the way out at Pettit Lake. I think I was too excited on the way in to notice anything but the peaks and the beautiful alpine forest surrounding me. In fact, we apparently stopped at a kiosk when we entered where Ben and Brittinei filled out a self-service permit but I have no recollection of this happening.


DSC00045-2.JPG
The view of Middle Cramer Lake from our campsite on the first night. It was directly across from a beautiful waterfall. We explored the other side of the lake the next morning and I realized the waterfall was much larger than it appeared from camp. I find that when I backpack out west, my brain struggles with depth perception and scale since the sight lines are structured so differently than what I'm used to in the northeast.


DSC00047-2.JPG
Heading around Middle Cramer Lake


DSC00071-2.JPG
Ben standing atop the waterfall where Upper Cramer Lake flows into Middle Cramer Lake.


DSC00076-2.JPG
A view from atop the waterfall (waterfall at my back) looking towards Upper Cramer Lake where it drains into Middle Cramer Lake.


DSC00081-2.JPG
Upper Cramer Lake


DSC00087-2.JPG
A pretty creek that we passed on Day 2


DSC00089-2.JPG

DSC00094-2.JPG
Some shots of Ben and Brittinei up ahead of me on the trail heading up to the first pass. I'm not sure if this pass has a name, maybe @Ben can chime in if it does. Looking at the map, the closest mountain to the pass is called the Temple.


DSC00109-2.JPG
A view looking back at an unnamed tarn heading up the first pass.


DSC00114-2.JPG
Basin after the first pass. I made this photo black and white to highlight how jagged this ridge is. You can see how the Sawtooths got their name.


DSC00116-2.JPG
Continuing along the basin towards Hidden Lake. Not sure why I didn't take any pictures at Hidden Lake, but Brittinei and I found a pretty sweet spot with stone slab chairs along Hidden Lake where we hung out while Ben scampered up Mount Cramer. I had another 9 days of backpacking ahead of me and was just happy that I wasn't feeling the altitude, so I hung back. Hopefully Ben will post some of the pictures that he took at the summit.


DSC00123-2.JPG
Edna Lake, near our second campsite.


DSC00128-2.JPG
Edna Lake early the next morning when the water was still and I was able to capture a reflection.


DSC00132-2.JPG
Ben can correct me if I am wrong, but I saw a sign at the pass before Toxaway Lake labeled "Sand Mtn Pass", so I assume this is Sand Mountain. Ben?


DSC00139-2.JPG
Ben and myself at the pass before Toxaway Lake. The aforementioned Sand Mtn Pass sign to the right.


DSC00141-2.JPG
Ben and Brittinei right before heading down towards Toxaway Lake.


DSC00148-2.JPG
First glimpse of Toxaway Lake and a few more views of Toxaway down below.


DSC00150-2.JPG

DSC00151-2.JPG

DSC00152-2.JPG
Toxaway Lake is hidden in this picture, tucked down below between the foreground and the mountains in the background. I believe that's Snowyside Peak slightly left of center.


DSC00158-2.JPG
Final descent down to Toxaway. We saw some campers with horses down at the lake.


DSC00159-2.JPG
A pretty cascade after we passed Toxaway Lake as we began the ascent up the Twin Lakes Pass (Ben is that what the pass above Twin Lakes is called?)


DSC00163-2.JPG
One of the small unnamed lakes on the way up to the pass above Twin Lakes.


DSC00175-2.JPG
Finally, atop the pass looking down at Twin Lakes. I felt like I was standing in a living postcard.


DSC00185-2.JPG
Ben taking it in.

DSC00193-2.JPG
The next stretch of trail from the pass above Twin Lakes down to Alice Lake was one of the nicest stretches of trail I've hiked. I made sure to take my time and really soak it in.


DSC00206-2.JPG

DSC00213-2.JPG

DSC00217-2.JPG
Arriving at Alice Lake


DSC00219-2.JPG
A shot taken about 30 ft from where we pitched our tents at Alice Lake.


DSC00231-2.JPG
A shot of Alice Lake from our camp in the morning when the light was hitting the mountains. I wish I had gotten up a little earlier when the lake was completely still.


DSC00242-2.JPG
A final shot following Ben out on the last day on our way to Pettit Lake.


Once we hiked out, we drove back to Ben's house where I was able to shower and get my bags ready for my flight to Alaska. Since my flight was later in the evening, Ben and Brittinei took me for a little tour of Boise. I was impressed by how clean and beautiful of a city Boise is. We then went to dinner, in part to celebrate a successful trip but also to celebrate Ben and Brittinei's recent engagement. They are both two of the nicest people I know and I’m fortunate to have them as friends. We went to a vegan BBQ place in Boise that was amazing. What is vegan BBQ you ask? I ordered a grilled sourdough sandwich stuffed with barbecued tempeh and vegan mac and cheese with a side of vegan potato salad and we split some vegan chocolate cake... *mic drop*. Pics upon request! It was also really nice to catch up with Ben's brother Spencer at dinner who I hiked with in Death Valley NP last year, and to meet his beautiful children.

I may have labeled things incorrectly or mixed up some of my explanations of the route, so hopefully Ben can chime in to correct me if I gave any misinformation. After Ben dropped me off at the Boise airport I was sad that my time in Idaho had come to an end but I was excited to be heading off to Alaska to meet BCP's @Chuck the Mauler and @Joey as well as two other backpacking buddies (not on BCP). I'll cover the Alaska portion of my trip in separate reports.

Thanks for reading!
Vegan Hiker (John)
 
Last edited:
Wow! Incredible pictures of an awesome trip.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Great fun to see three of favorite people walk the route we walked a few weeks ago. Thanks, John!
 
Last edited:
So stunning!
Exciting to see the report, I have been on the edge of my seat waiting for you to post. :)
 
Its these kinda TR's that just ruin my work day. I mean,
there's no chance I can now focus on work. All I'm thinking is,
how can I get to Twin Lakes?


John, seriously - good stuff.

You mentioned a self serve permit. Is that it? Just walk up
do the paperwork and have a permit?

Thanks for posting!
 
Its these kinda TR's that just ruin my work day. I mean,
there's no chance I can now focus on work. All I'm thinking is,
how can I get to Twin Lakes?


John, seriously - good stuff.

You mentioned a self serve permit. Is that it? Just walk up
do the paperwork and have a permit?

Thanks for posting!
That IS how it works. Just pick it up at the boat dock on the southwest end of the lake. Easy peasy.
 
I've seen the pass between the Cramer Lakes and Hidden referred to as the Cramer Divide. I'm uncertain of a name for the pass between Toxaway and Twin. You can just make up a name for it based off a feature next to it, like Snowyside Divide if you want.

Also, i've got to say that John is one of the best people to hike with that i have ever met.
 
Similar threads
Thread starter Title Forum Replies Date
Chuck the Mauler Sawtooth Mountains (Iron Creek - Pettit Lake) Backpacking 25
Bob Sawtooth Mountains Traverse Resource Discussions 7
Mountain Wanderer First time in to the Sawtooth Wilderness! Backpacking 2
seaview53 Sawtooth trip planning. Iron Creek to Tin Cup Trip Planning 4
Dreamer Alice - Toxaway Loop | Sawtooth Wilderness Backpacking 6
Parma Sawtooth Loop: Redfish, Hell Roaring, Imogene, Edna, and Cramer Lakes Backpacking 13
NorthwestWanderer Overnight Backpack to Louis Lake, Lake Chelan-Sawtooth Wilderness Backpacking 4
NorthwestWanderer Chelan-Sawtooth Range : Sunrise to Cooney Lake Loop Backpacking 3
wabenho Sawtooth Creek Crossings (early season) Trip Planning 4
J Sawtooth Wilderness Backpacking 21
andyjaggy Sawtooth Hitchhiking Trip Planning 9
seekinglost Sawtooth Wilderness, ID - 8 Day Solo Hike August 2017 + Solar Eclipse Backpacking 7
George_Washington_Hayduke North Wash Canyoneering: Sawtooth, Bingo, Hog 3, Hog 4 Canyoneering 2
toddfw2003 Sawtooth Wilderness Petit Lake / Toxiway lake / Allice lake loop Resource Discussions 5
tomcat32 Sawtooth Wilderness Idaho Parking Passes Trip Planning 2
IceChip Sawtooth backpacking advice Trip Planning 4
BryanG Sawtooth Backpacking Suggestions Trip Planning 6
Ross Sawtooth and Wind hikes + Yellowstone favourites Backpacking 12
Kullaberg63 Sawtooth. High Route style trip? Trip Planning 9
Ben Sawtooths, Sawtooth Lake loop Backpacking 8
steve For Sale: (2) Aire Tributary Sawtooth Inflatable Kayaks Gear 14
pstm13 Sawtooth Lake, SNRA Backpacking 22
Melissa Sawtooth or Uintas Recommends Requested Trip Planning 6
Bob Sawtooth Wilderness, Idaho - North to South Traverse Backpacking 25
Duke Goat Lake, Sawtooth Range Backpacking 3
BobFink Goschute Mountains, NV , Pisgah Peak, Hawk Watch Migration Site Everything Else 2
westy San Juan mountains, Colorado Hiking & Camping 8
M Backpacking 50 miles in the Uinta Mountains for 5 days with ~50 pound pack Backpacking 4
kansas good place to watch sunrise in the La Sal mountains Trip Planning 0
NorthwestWanderer First time in the High Uintas | Red Castle SNEAK Loop | I give these mountains 5 out of 5 stars Backpacking 7
westy Wallowa Mountains, Oregon Trip Planning 3
John Goering Pioneer Mountains, Montana <50" UTV trip Off Road 3
Kerrie at Thru We Go Packraft Trip in the Sierra Nevada Mountains Trip Reports 3
John Goering Boulder Lakes, Tobacco Root Mountains Off Road 0
John Goering Tobacco Root Mountains South Meadow Creek Off Road 1
C Utah Mountains in Late May Trip Planning 12
S Mentasta Mountains, Wrangell St. Elias National Park and Preserve- family backpack Backpacking 1
Noun Sequitur Magdalena Mountains, Mesa Trail Loop Hiking & Camping 3
Mountain Wanderer Four Lakes Basin in the Southern Cabinet Mountains - Montana Backpacking 12
Artemus Wind River Mountains Conditions 2021 Trip Planning 17
J Death Valley NP Black Mountains and beyond Hiking Dec 19-20, 2020 Hiking & Camping 1
scatman Grassy Benchmark - Grassy Mountains - April 24, 2021 Hiking & Camping 18
scatman Peak 6551 - Lakeside Mountains - April 17, 2021 Hiking & Camping 7
norwegianxplorer In the shadow of the Henry Mountains, Utah Backpacking 2
Mountain Wanderer Cedar Lakes Loop in Montana's Cabinet Mountains Wilderness Backpacking 4
Janice Porcupine Mountains in Michigan's Upper Peninsula - August 2-7 Backpacking 15
balzaccom Ruby Mountains, Nevada Hiking & Camping 2
fossana 2fer in the Tushars (Tushar Mountains, UT) Hiking & Camping 4
TeamJenkins17 Bighorn Mountains Trip Planning 2
T Grizzly bears in Wind River Mountains Noobs: Introduce yourself! 12

Similar threads

Back
Top