this page describes the individual hikes available to basecampers on the 2005 trip.

Alturas Lake to Petite Lake (Mt. Biking)			Mt. Biking trip
Distance	Difficulty	Hiking time	Elevation gain
12.2 miles round trip	Easy/Moderate	2 hours	120 ft
This is a fairly easy bike ride with some zigzagging and backtracking. It is a back roads route, all on public land.
Alturas Lake South Shore			Hike
Distance	Difficulty	Hiking time	Elevation gain
4.4 miles round trip	Easy	2 hours	negligible
A primitive woodland path along Alturas Lake's south shore is a 10-plus nature trail for hikers. Begin at Alturas Lake Picnic Area, closest to the outlet bridge. Use the nearby bridge to cross Alturas Lake Creek outlet and turn right toward the lake.
Alturas Lake South Shore Trail			hike
Distance	Difficulty	Hiking time	Elevation gain
2.4 miles one way	Moderate (stream)	1 1/2 hrs.	negligible
By mid-to-late June a one-way hike with a refreshing stream crossing can be done on the South Shore trail from Outlet Picnic Area to Inlet Picnic Area.
Alpine Creek Knoll Trail			hike
Distance	Difficulty	Hiking time	Elevation gain
2 miles	Easy/moderate	1 hour	406 ft.
A short walk leads to a granite knoll amid rugged surroundings in Alpine Creek canyon in the Sawtooth Wilderness area near Alturas Lake. The high country above Alturas is less known than other Sawtooth destinations.
Cabin Creek Lakes Trail			hike
Distance	Difficulty	Hiking time	Elevation gain
7.0 miles round trip	Moderate	4 hours	1731 feet
Reach Cabin Creek trailhead by going to Alturas Lake and taking Cabin creek Road 207 for 0.7 mile to the signed road leading left to the trailhead. Park under shade trees and head up a sunny, lupine and sage covered hillside to the trail register. The path follows the north side of Cabin Creek canyon, passing1.6 miles a side stream from a trailless drainage to the northwest, where shallow lakes and ponds hide beneath a 10,027 foot bare mountain. Continue on the main Cabin Creek canyon trail, noticing at 2.8 miles where two streams draining from different lakes merge. The path stays right, climbs abruptly, and in 0.5 mile reaches Lake 8811. Hikers seeking more isolation can continue to the other four Cabin Creek Lakes. The highest is Lake at 9078 feet.
Sawtooth City			Mt. biking trip
Distance	Difficulty	Hiking time	Elevation gain
6 mile loop trip	Easy	1 hour	191 feet
To reach historical Sawtooth City-- a boom town in the early 1880s-- take Highway 75 north of Ketchum to Beaver Creek Road 204 at 37.8 miles and a sign for Sawtooth City ghost town. The Sawtooth City cemetery is on a hilltop reached by a short, steep dirt road 0.3 mile east of the historical sign.
Hell Roaring Lake, Finger of Fate Trail			hike
Distance	Difficulty	Hiking time	Elevation gain
3.6 miles	Easy	2 hours	200 feet
To reach Hell Roaring Lake, follow directions to lower Hell Roaring trailhead by the Salmon River. Cross Hell Roaring Creek and drive on road 315 another 4.4 miles (about 45 minutes) to upper Hell Roaring trailhead. [Normally 4-wheel drive vehicles only - no vans] At the upper trailhead, balance across a subdued Hell Roaring Creek on narrow logs and reach the registration box at the wilderness boundary. Hell Roaring Lake is 1.8 miles away but unseen until the trail arrives at the wooded shore. From the outlet bridge, look across to the granite amphitheater filling the western horizon. For a longer hike of 1 to 2 miles, stay on the main trail toward Imogene Lake. Climb the switchbacks out of Hell Roaring Lake high enough for an overlook of the lake and spectacular granite scenery to the West.
Imogene Lake, Imogene Divide hike			hike
Distance	Difficulty	Hiking time	Elevation gain
11.8 miles round trip.	Moderate	4 hours	1240 feet
Imogene Lake has irregular shorelines and scattered fairyland-like islands. Imogene Lake is a natural extension beyond the easy 1.8 mile hike to Hell Roaring Lake. From Hell Roaring inlet bridge, it's another 4.1 miles, and a casual 1000 foot rise, to Imogene Lake before breakfast to see Imogene on a day hike-- partly because of the rough, slow road, but also because, besides Imogene, there are another dozen lakes and tarns nearby to explore, plus ridges and divides to climb. For conditioned hikers an Imogene day hike is tiring, but not overwhelming. Follow directions to Hell Roaring Lake and cross the inlet bridge, going south along the shore, and eventually rising beyond the lake on switchbacks. Lap up the Hell Roaring canyon vistas and engrossing miles ahead on the well-graded trail. At Imogene's outlet, 5.9 miles from your start at Hell Roaring upper trailhead, the new trail stays left on the east shore while the old, neglected path shown on the 1963 Snowyside Peak topo goes right. The two meet near the inlet a long mile away. The waters of Imogene are clear and deep, surrounding near-shore islands. The largest "Paradise Lost" has campsites accessible at lower water levels. From Imogene, use a topo map to find the half-dozen lakes and ponds located off-trail beneath Payette Peak to the southwest, and also to find Profile Lake and a lake nicknamed "Lucille" below Mount Cramer.
Imogene Lake to Imogene Divide			hike
Distance	Difficulty	Hiking time	Elevation gain
2 miles round trip	Moderate to Strenuous	1 - 2 hours	800 feet
An alternative to cross-country exploring near Imogene is to take the trail from Imogene inlet 1 mile to Imogene Divide where you'll overlook the entire Imogene Lake.
Hell Roaring Lake to Pettit Lake Hike			hike
Distance	Difficulty	Hiking time	Elevation gain
15.6 miles one way	Strenuous	5 - 6 hours	gain 2400 feet, loss 2640 feet
From Imogene Divide, it's 7.9 miles back to upper Hell Roaring trailhead. With advance planning you can go, instead, the same distance, mostly downhill, to Edith Lake, Toxaway canyon, and over the ridge to Pettit Lake. You'll need a ride to upper Hell Roaring trailhead and a waiting car at the Tin Cup hiker trailhead at Pettit. Don't miss the essential turnoff for the ridge trail to Pettit Lake. Bob will take hikers interested in this trail and Chuck will arrange for pickup at the Tin Cup trailhead at the end of the hike.
Pettit Lake Hikes			hike
Distance	Difficulty	Hiking time	Elevation gain
1.6 to 5 miles	Easy to moderate	1 - 3 hours	negligible
Pettit Lake is a small lake near our campground. There are several summer cabins in the area and numerous short and interconnecting trails around the lake.
Lady Face and Bridal Veil Falls Trail			hike
Distance	Difficulty	Hiking time	Elevation gain
6.8 miles round trip	Easy to moderate	4 hours	320 feet
An easy outing with two surmountable challenges leads to Stanley Lake Creek Canyon for 2.2 miles to Lady Face Falls and continues another 1.2 miles to Bridal Veil Falls. The first challenge is finding Lady Face Falls (it's off the trail a short distance). The second is wading Stanley Lake Creek on the way to Bridal Veil Falls. Begin near Stanley Lake Inlet Campground. Pass through a wooden stock gate. The first mile is a stroll through mountain meadows. The scented walk through fields of larkspur, cinquefoil, and penstemom may include stepping aside for motorbikes, at least until Bridal Veil Falls. This may change, since the Sawtooth Forest has recommended Stanley Lake Creek to be added to the Sawtooth Wilderness. After 1.1 miles, reach a junction with Alpine Way; continue straight (west). At 1.9 miles, the trail ascends a rocky hill, bends left through trees swept down by avalanche, and turns right (south) at 2.1 miles. Here a sign (easy to miss because it faces south) points to a faint, unofficial path that leads cross-country 250 yards through forest to a granite chasm, containing a series of cascades and the 30-foot drop of Lady Face Falls. The banks above the falls are steep and potentially dangerous. At Lady Face Falls in June and July, Stanley Lake Creek churns wickedly through the narrow ravine. In August, clear pools form between rapids. A full view of the waterfall is obstructed by trees and rock. The safest watching and sitting is upstream from the falls, where the drop-off is less precipitous. Most hikers bypass the adventurous route to Lady Face and head to Bridal Veil Falls. At 2.4 miles the trail crosses Stanley Lake Creek. Wade or use a logjam. At 3.3 miles, distant Bridal Veil Falls cascades down the west mountainside, fed from Hanson Lakes 1000 feet above. At 3.4 miles, just after a sign closing the trail ahead to motorbikes, is a clear view of the distant falls.
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Iron Creek, Sawtooth Lake			hike
Distance	Difficulty	Hiking time	Elevation gain
10 miles round trip	Moderate	5 hours	1720 feet
Decades of contented hikers have worn a sunken trail to 173 acre Sawtooth Lake, the Sawtooth Wilderness's largest. Winds whip across the 250 foot deep lake, buffeting the rocky shoreline. The shadowed north face of Mount Regan towers over it. Access to Sawtooth Lake is quick from Stanley. Drive 2.5 miles west on Highway 21 to Iron Creek Road 619. Continue three dusty, bumpy miles to Iron Creek trailhead. A sign warns of No Campfires at Sawtooth or Alpine lakes due to scarce wood and fragile soil. The path begins in lodgepole forest, crosses the wilderness boundary, and meets the Alpine Way trail at 1.2 miles. Iron Creek is nearby, meandering crystal clear through alpine gardens. A short soothing walk can end here. Turn right on Alpine Way trail, going 0.6 miles to another junction. Turn left, leaving the Alpine Way trail, which continues northwest to Stanley Lake. The Sawtooth Lake trail climbs through forested switchbacks and reaches a stream crossing on rocks or logs at 3 miles. On the creek's south shore lies a boulder where many a hiker has rested before facing the 0.8 mile climb to Alpine Lake ridge. At 3.8 miles, the lake lies below to the east, a few hundred yards by path. Sawtooth Lake is another mile beyond and 500 feet higher on a breathless, wondrous trail chiseled from rock. The path becomes tame upon reaching the outlet stream and tundra ponds before the lake at 4.8 miles. Go left 0.25 mile farther for a sheltered lunch perch on the granite above the shoreline. For a compelling photo of Sawtooth Lake and Mount Regan, take a late afternoon walk a half-mile and 300 feet up to the west ridge using McGowen Lake trail.
Redfish Trailhead Classic Hike I: Bench Lakes			hike
Distance	Difficulty	Hiking time	Elevation gain
7 miles round trip	Moderate	3 hours	1290 feet (and loss)
At the trailhead, cross the pavement and head up a rocky old roadbed which is Redfish Lake Creek Trail 102, but usually called the Benches Lake Trail, at least until it reaches Redfish Lake Creek in Redfish canyon 5 miles away. Go 9.3 mile to a signed T intersection and turn left, crossing Fishhook Creek by bridge. The worn path climbs through dry, lodgepole pine forest, past a registration box, and gradually reaches a ridge. At 3 miles, by large granite boulders, a highpoint overlooks Redfish Lodge. Next the trail forks; right goes 0.5 mile to the first Bench Lake, straight goes 2 miles down to Inlet Campground at the end of Redfish Lake. [NOTE: We will pass the cut-off to the bench lakes on our way back from the hike to Lilly Lake. Hikers who want to take the short trip to the lakes can do so and will add a couple of miles to the Lilly Lake hike.]
Redfish Trailhead Classic Hike II: Fishhook Creek Meadow			hike
Distance	Difficulty	Hiking time	Elevation gain
4.4 miles round trip	Easy	1 - 2 hours	250 feet
Fishhook Creek flows into Redfish Lake, and Redfish Lake Creek flows out a scant half mile to the east. Sometimes the two streams are mistaken, one for the other. Many other hikes follow Redfish Lake Creek trail at the far end of Redfish Lake. This trip goes up Fishhook Creek to Fishhook Creek Meadow, just over 2 miles from Redfish Lake. The gentle 2.2 mile path to the meadows is easy enough for children. Mileage begins at Redfish Lake trailhead, 0.3 mile north of Redfish Lake Lodge.
Redfish Lodge to Lilly Lake and back			hike
Distance	Difficulty	Hiking time	Elevation gain
miles round trip	Moderate	hours	feet
This hike begins with a boat ride. We will board the shuttle boat at the Redfish Lodge dock and ride the 4 1/2 miles to the Inlet dock. From there we will take the short hike to Lilly Lake and the pretty cascades just beyond the lake. After lunch, we will return to the Lodge by way of the longer Bench Lakes trail that skirts the shore of the lake through alpine meadows with several impressive views of Redfish Lake and the surrounding mountains. We will exit the trail at the Redfish Lodge trailhead and make our way back to the Lodge for a rest and showers.
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notes and sources

Hike descriptions are drawn from several sources, including Lynne Stone's excellent hiking guide, Adventures in Idaho's Sawtooth Country.

See where you are going: Follow this link to the Austin Photo Gallery page for the Sawtooth National Recreation Area. (use your browser's BACK button to return to this page.) We have been there twice before and you will find photos of most of the places we will visit on the 2005 trip.