River
Member
- Joined
- Jan 26, 2012
- Messages
- 420
The Toxaway-Alice Loop is one of the classic loop hikes in the Sawtooths. I had hiked to Alice Lake many years ago, but the rangers had told us the pass was still snowed in and impassable so we didn't plan to hike the full loop. As it turned out, we were able to make it over, but we didn't bring our gear with us, so we only completed part of the loop.
With what felt like the entire state on fire during the summer of 2012, we decided to finally hike the whole loop, hoping the smoke might keep the crowds away. We started the 18 mile loop at Petit Lake and headed out counter clockwise to Farley and then Toxaway Lake. A slight sprinkle of rain had reduced the smoke in the air and cooled things off making for nice hiking weather. After about eight miles, we arrived at a beautiful campsite on Toxaway Lake. We had planned to spend one night there and another near Alice Lake, but it was such a nice camp that we decided to spend two nights there and hike a partially off trail loop to some other nearby lakes the next day.
On our second day, we climbed over the pass to Edna Lake. The weather was perfect for a long swim in the lake before we continued onto Vernon Lake. From there, we continued across a large boulder field and then found a way to scramble over the ridge and back down to our camp on Toxaway Lake.
On the third day, we climbed over Snowyside Pass and dropped down to Alice Lake. From there, it was a long, hot hike back to Petit Lake and our cars.
Our route
Smoky skies on the drive to the trail head
We decided to hike counterclockwise to Toxaway Lake first
Enjoying a snack on the trail
Several cascades on the hike in
Farley Lake
Cooling off in a small stream
A great spot to relax
Stopping to sniff the flowers
A natural slip and slide
The dogs were less enthused
Enjoying a trail side nap
Always ready for fetch
Dinner!
Smoky sunrise
Time for another nap
Can I have your leftovers?
Green grass to roll in
The view from the kitchen
Great peaks all around
A great spot to relax
Still a few flowers blooming
Finding a shady spot to cool down
Edna Lake
The pass going over to Edna
Another view over the pass
Finally, another stream to cool off in
A great swim in Edna Lake
The boulder scramble to Vernon Lake
Vernon Lake
The smoke cloud from the nearby fire
Toxaway Lake
Finally back at camp
Another clear sunset
The mountains are always a great place to reflect on what's really important in life
More flowers headed over the pass
Another spot to cool off
Looking back down from Snowyside Pass
The view from the pass toward Twin Lakes
A cool dip in Alice Lake
Alice Lake
About ready to be done hiking
Finally back at the truck!
Featured image for home page:
With what felt like the entire state on fire during the summer of 2012, we decided to finally hike the whole loop, hoping the smoke might keep the crowds away. We started the 18 mile loop at Petit Lake and headed out counter clockwise to Farley and then Toxaway Lake. A slight sprinkle of rain had reduced the smoke in the air and cooled things off making for nice hiking weather. After about eight miles, we arrived at a beautiful campsite on Toxaway Lake. We had planned to spend one night there and another near Alice Lake, but it was such a nice camp that we decided to spend two nights there and hike a partially off trail loop to some other nearby lakes the next day.
On our second day, we climbed over the pass to Edna Lake. The weather was perfect for a long swim in the lake before we continued onto Vernon Lake. From there, we continued across a large boulder field and then found a way to scramble over the ridge and back down to our camp on Toxaway Lake.
On the third day, we climbed over Snowyside Pass and dropped down to Alice Lake. From there, it was a long, hot hike back to Petit Lake and our cars.
Our route
Smoky skies on the drive to the trail head
We decided to hike counterclockwise to Toxaway Lake first
Enjoying a snack on the trail
Several cascades on the hike in
Farley Lake
Cooling off in a small stream
A great spot to relax
Stopping to sniff the flowers
A natural slip and slide
The dogs were less enthused
Enjoying a trail side nap
Always ready for fetch
Dinner!
Smoky sunrise
Time for another nap
Can I have your leftovers?
Green grass to roll in
The view from the kitchen
Great peaks all around
A great spot to relax
Still a few flowers blooming
Finding a shady spot to cool down
Edna Lake
The pass going over to Edna
Another view over the pass
Finally, another stream to cool off in
A great swim in Edna Lake
The boulder scramble to Vernon Lake
Vernon Lake
The smoke cloud from the nearby fire
Toxaway Lake
Finally back at camp
Another clear sunset
The mountains are always a great place to reflect on what's really important in life
More flowers headed over the pass
Another spot to cool off
Looking back down from Snowyside Pass
The view from the pass toward Twin Lakes
A cool dip in Alice Lake
Alice Lake
About ready to be done hiking
Finally back at the truck!
Featured image for home page:
I love seeing those happy puppies, and I LOLed at the slip-and-slide photo until my wife asked me from the other room what was so funny. Glad to see you got some blue skies during the trip.
