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| Hiking | 20.01 Miles |
4,583 AEG |
| | Hiking | 20.01 Miles | 7 Hrs 28 Mns | | 2.79 mph |
| 4,583 ft AEG | 18 Mns Break | | | |
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| no partners | | I completed this hike solo because when the day began Carrie thought she might be holding the dog back on hiking in order to make sure she was rested for our upcoming three day backpack in the Sawtooths.
Once again I found myself starting on the Iron Creek-Stanley Lake Trail which was conveniently located at the campground where we were staying. The first big attraction of this hike was Sawtooth Lake. This lake is truly a gem and perhaps one of my favorite lakes of the Sawtooth Wilderness and maybe the entire trip. The views of the lake only got better as I climbed the modest pass at the lake's northwest end. From the pass my hike entered a pretty good burn zone that lasted nearly all the way to Observation Peak. Only the upper portions of the Observation Peak Trail were spared from this fire. Nevertheless, I still found the trail very scenic. The wildflowers were popping and the McGown Lakes area was still nice despite the general absence of trees. I thought the hike might be over when I reached the Observation Peak trail, as the lower portion of the trail had been wiped out by erosion, but after only a few hundred feet I was able to pick up the distinct switchbacks marking the initial climb to the peak. The peak and the final climb offered some tremendous views of the jagged Sawtooth range, but the peak itself is just a pretty indiscriminate high rising hill in comparison to the surrounding peaks. I did not stay long as Carrie was waiting, but did take a quick break to look through the full register and eat a quick snack. I returned the way I came. |
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