annie at sawtooth lake

Hike to Sawtooth Lake

Sawtooth Lake, located in the Sawtooth National Forest, is the quintessential hike of Stanley, Idaho.  It may be reached from three different trailheads: Stanley Lake, Redfish Lake, and Iron Creek.

I believe the shortest hike to Sawtooth Lake is via the Iron Creek Trailhead, and it registers as a moderate ten miler on AllTrails.

The Iron Creek Trailhead dirt parking lot with a pit toilet is small.  It can accommodate approximately 30 cars, and by the time I arrived before 7:30 in the morning at least ten cars had beaten me to a space. 

Given I hadn’t seen many people get started before 8 to 9am most mornings, I hoped these were backpackers’ cars.  Otherwise, Annie and I would be in for a busy trail this Fourth of July.

HAPPY HIKING!