[Sadie's Driver]

Stats:
39 miles
7000’+
Gazillion Lakes and Peaks
Concert under the stars by some stars

Let's get the details out of the way first – here’s our route:



Day One:  Pettit Lake to Alice Lake (7 miles or so and 1500’+)
We continue the Idaho hiking story where we left off.  It was cold, dreary and wet on Sunday (09/23) when we did Proctor Mountain outside of Ketchum – even got some wet snow.  In fact, Baldy had fresh snow on top – titillating the skiers in Sun Valley.  By Tuesday (09/25) when I (the Driver) finished the conference, I drove by and picked up Jim K. at his bro’s house and off we went on the Hiker Jim second annual Sawtooth trek  and headed to points north and an entrance to the Sawtooths at the Pettit Lake trailhead.  Jim agreed to allow me to tag along – I promised to “carry my own weight” on this trip (read:  pack the Cabernet!).

As we pulled in at the trailhead, another car pulled in next to us – a solo hiker who wasn’t sure which way to head – but wanted to get to Toxaway Lake to take some photos for a hiking book he was writing.  He commented that he was from Virginia – but now living in Boise – and had done 900 miles of the Appalachian Trail – but it was nothing like the Sawtooths!!!  He said his trail name is “Road Dog.”  We introduced ourselves by our trip report names and Jim gave him a card with his hiking website.  We wished him well and off we headed at about 2:00 p.m.
Hiking etiquette is a bit different here in Idaho.  Not only do they provide leashes for your four-legged friend, they only require that they be worn in the summer.  Downright neighborly!
About 1/3 of a mile up the trail, we reached the trail divide, closely followed by the Wilderness boundary.
The topography and vegetation was definitely NOT the Cascades!  After all, we started at 6900’ and it’s much drier.  We were in shorts and long sleeves, but quite comfortable.  Both of us flatlanders had to adjust to the altitude gain, but bless those Idahoans, they believe in 10% grade on their trails!  Much appreciated when you have a 30 lb.+ backpack with altitude!  (I think Jim is tipping his hat to the trailblazers in this pic!)
We arrived at Alice Lake around 4:30 p.m. and poked around a little for a camp site – finding a lovely spot not far from the lake and somewhat protected from the wind – but we weren't really worried, because the weather predictions were good for the next two days – deteriorating on Friday, the day we would leave. 
After setting up camp, we wandered around the lake finding oddities of nature.  Some more odd than others (warning, the photo you are about to view may be a little “raw.”
Once the sun dropped below the mountains to our west, the temperature also dropped – time to bring out the down jacket. 
We had the place to ourselves.  Bedtime was about 9:00 p.m.

Day Two:  Alice Lake to Upper Cramer Lake (16 miles and 3400’)We started out the day at 9:30 a.m. thinking we would get to Hidden Lake – about 11 miles away (and over two 9300’+  divides).  Up we head to pass by Twin Lakes on our way to Snowyside Pass. 
It was brisk as we started out, but the gain from Alice to the Pass would warm us up quickly. 
The views were spectacular.  The trail is easy to follow.  However, looking from the start towards the Pass, one would never have guessed the route because it cuts through seemingly solid rock walls that have been blasted away – invisible from below. 
We thought we might see Road Dog if he was making a loop from Toxaway to Alice, but we never did run into him.  At the Pass, Jim gave some thought to a scramble up Snowyside, but the route looked a little uncertain with the fresh snow and the possibility of a slippery route.  So, down we headed to drop from 9350’ to 8320’ at Toxaway Lake.

We decided to stop for a bite to eat around Noonish at the Lake.  It was warming up nicely and we enjoyed some lovely views across the Lake. 
Soon, we headed on towards the next juncture that would take us up to Toxaway Divide.  The nice thing so far on our route is that junctures are well-marked.  Route finding wasn’t a problem. 
It was at this juncture that pant leg bottoms came off and long sleeves were stashed. 
We would climb from 8300 up to another 9300’+ saddle - getting some great views of the lakes below.

Although 1000’ doesn’t sound like much, at this elevation and with full packs, we weren’t as speedy as we might have been.  Very different vegetation here – it was low, scrub-like/dry.  Payette Peak was to the West of us.  No snow was in evidence to the Divide –
But on the other side of the Divide – a different story. 
We were making good time, actually – better than we expected.  We began to re-think our destination for the day.  Meanwhile, down we headed towards Edna Lake (8404’).  Lovely looking back to the Divide.

At Edna, we would come upon a couple of junctures/options, but we were on a mission to Hidden Lake, which would take us by Lake Virginia and some lovely color.
After a few photos, we were on our way to Hidden Lake, reaching the lake about 5:00 p.m. and deciding we still had enough steam to press on to Upper Cramer Lake – because there really aren’t any decent camping spots anywhere between the two!  The light was getting lower as we headed from Hidden up towards Cramer Divide.
Admittedly, the energy was a little less as we traveled from 8563’ at Hidden to Cramer Divide at 9405’.  It’s amazing to be at (practically) Mt. Stuart level here at the Divide and looking across to Mt. Baker-sized peaks almost at eye-level!  Spectacular.
As we dropped into the moraine heading down to the Cramer Lakes, the sun also was leaving us – and there was snow still sticking on this side of The Temple.

What a god-forbidding place!  Very little vegetation anywhere in this moraine – but the pikas we spotted seemed quite fat and happy!  We wound our way down through the rocky rubble – passing the occasional tarn.

The sun was setting – causing some interesting colors against the pinnacles.

We could see Upper Cramer ahead of us – and none too soon!

We finally found a camping spot about 7:45 p.m. and set up the tent, food hanger and ate dinner – and hit the sack about 9:15 p.m.  Thinking that I would sleep instantly because of the long day – I struggled, probably falling into a sound sleep about 2:00 a.m.  We were visited throughout the evening by four-legged creatures exploring our packs in the vestibule.  Fortunately, they didn’t find anything to munch on!!

Day Three – Upper Cramer Lake to Alpine Lake (7 miles, 1000’)
Alpine Lake to Baron Divide/Baron Lakes/back to Divide (4+ miles, 800’)
The morning light would provide some perfect opportunities for pics before heading out – today’s day would be much shorter and allow us some time after reaching Alpine Lake to do some exploring while the weather was still good. 
So, after wandering around awhile, we headed out of camp at the crack of 11:00 a.m.!  To our surprise, however, there were two guys just breaking camp at mid-Cramer Lake.  They apologized that they had just finished the last of the coffee!  On we headed down the trail, passing lower Cramer Lake . . .
We had about 1000’ of elevation to lose before we would cross Redfish Lake Creek.  Most of that was through forest (a pic from Baron Divide gives a good view of the trek from Cramer to Alpine). 
We cross the creek

and then find the trail juncture to Alpine.  On Friday we would continue on this main trail toward Redfish Lake.  But we were on a mission toward Alpine (note the pair of swim shorts conveniently left on top of the sign for HJ – great colors, Jim!)
Looking up-slope to where the trail was supposed to go, one would have grave doubts – it looked like nothing but a rock face.  Well, indeed there was a trail to follow.
We climbed the nearly 1000’ feet to Alpine Lake 
– arriving around 2:00 p.m. – got camp set up
and then decided to head up to Baron Divide (9200’) and from there we would decide where else to wander.
At the Divide, we decided to grab a bite to eat and then do a little scramble up another 100’ or so for some excellent views on either side of the divide – back to Alpine and Cramer Lakes and down to Baron Lakes on the other side. 
Heck, it was early, so we headed down to Upper Baron – where we saw 4 hikers camped with a dog (we had followed their tracks from Alpine).  We also got some great views.
On our way back up to Baron Divide, we met a couple heading in – they actually were going to meet up with the group down at the Lake – and then all of them were headed out to Grandjean (about 12 miles from Baron Lake – but all down hill).  Since we were headed out the next day, the impending weather didn’t worry us – but the couple coming in weren’t looking forward to two days of bad weather on their way out – they did mention that they had brought a space heater for the tent!  (The temperature was supposed to drop and snow was predicted for later Friday and Saturday.)  We headed on back to Alpine - it was nearly 6:00 p.m.

We caught a glimpse of some recent bear activity - but, that's about as close as we got to seeing any evidence of real wildlife. 
Once back at the lake, we could hear some voices – but never saw anyone (no, really, we did hear REAL voices!).  We had a lovely dinner (along with the carefully packed Cab) - got things cleaned up and called it a day around 9:00 p.m.  It actually was “warm” (well, relatively) – didn’t need the hat for bed.  No critters in the vestibule tonight.

Day Four - Alpine Lake to Redfish Lake Inlet (and out - downhill most of the way!)
The weather had definitely turned and the wind was picking up. 
By 7:00 a.m. we agreed that the best idea was to get going and try to make the Noon shuttle from Redfish Inlet back to Redfish Lake Lodge where Jim’s sister-in-law, Carol would pick us up.  We ate breakfast and packed up and were on the trail by 8:50 a.m.  It didn’t take us long to get back to the main trail (all down hill!) and on our way.  There was color along the way – and a side trip . . .
Then we spotted this huge rock (you're only seeing the tip of the iceberg - so to speak!) – covering what had been the trail (you can see it under the rock(!) by where Jim is standing).  This rock also had crushed a tree (sorta’ visible under the rock) – and it didn’t look like this had happened all that long ago!  Gees, that could ruin a hike.
The weather was still looking gloomy, 
so we clipped right along, catching a glimpse of the Lake
and then soon reaching the trail junction we knew we were close.
Bench Lake route would take you by trail to the end of the Lake, the other direction takes you to the Inlet where you can pick up the shuttle and save 5 miles!  Right about here, we met two guys and a dog coming up the trail.  They had just been dropped off by the shuttle (it wasn’t quite 11:00 a.m.).  Shoot, we would have to wait about an hour for the next one. 
But, as we headed toward the Inlet, I heard the boat, and, indeed, it was docking and we beat feet to make it to the dock and grab a ride down to the Lodge.
We gave a call to Carol and waited to be picked up and hauled back to my car at Pettit Lake.  While at the Lodge, we looked around and had a snack (the Driver had PLENTY of food still left - can't be too careful about starving to death on the trail!) 
And, in case you're looking for the perfect little get-away for that special moment . . . here you go!
We actually were a couple hours earlier than we originally planned – and the weather was off and on, but it was good to be heading out, because the clouds still looked iffy.  Back towards Ketchum we headed – picking up a little scenery on the way. 
Saturday, September 29, 2007
BUT WAIT, there’s more!!!  It was our good fortune that this very weekend a benefit concert was planned to thank the many, many fire-fighters and locals who helped beat back the horrible fire that struck the Warm Springs area about 6 weeks ago.  Jim and I took a drive into the burn area and it was absolutely amazing that NO homes were lost to this fire – it came literally to the backyard of several homes.  Soooo, Steve Miller, Carol King and Bruce Willis agreed to have the Kick Ash Bash in honor of the many crews who worked so hard.  Here are some pics from tonight’s concert (Sept. 29). 
(video to follow!)

Maybe those fires weren't all the way out - - -  I could have sworn that I smelled burning grass . . .  ooohhh-eee-doobie-doo!     


What a great week.  About 56 total miles and 9300’ (including Proctor last Sunday) – a variety of weather – and a fabulous outdoor concert to top it off!  Thanks, Jim!   

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Four-paw buddy lets me tag along!

[Dayhike Mike]

Gorgeous! Great trip report...thanks for sharing it!

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"There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke
"Ignorance is natural. Stupidity takes commitment." -Solomon Short

[JimK]

The Sawtooths are a really great place to backpack. I can't wait for my third annual trek next year. I'll be posting my report with photos here in a few days.

Thanks to the Driver for getting a report and photos up so fast.

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Hiking Northwest

[Backpacker Joe]

A really great trip.  Thanks.

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"America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves."

- Abraham Lincoln

"Backpacker Joe...There are some people even bears won't eat!"

-Dave Workman

[TrailPair]

 
Great trip.  I enjoyed reading of your adventures.  Imagine all those peaks to scramble!!!!

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This thing called work is interfering with my play

[Magellan]

What a great time you guys had.  I certainly would like to get into this neighborhood.


I love this sign!  New signs are nice, but give me an old, weather beaten, wildlife eaten sign anytime.

[Spotly]

Very nice trip report. Seems like the perfect time of year for that area. I see that avi chute on Grand Mogul in my nightmares! Last year about this time, we came down that when the ground was frozen solid and it was like walking on small marbles. If I'd had my crampons, I would have worn them. I took a header down that thing with 3 or 4 full-body flips and landed eye first on the handle of my trekking pole. Good times 

[Sadie's Driver]

[tazz]

Fabulous TR for my home state!  good stuff folks!  love all the images!

[Quark]

Wow, that giant rock in the trail is freaky!

All this and a Steve Miller concert! 

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"The next couple of miles smelt like burnt turkey and kept reminding me of thanksgivings with my ex-wife. "

chris-mbhc, NWHiker's Bulwer-Lytton contestant for 2011

[Sadie's Driver]

[JimK]

It took a week but I have my trip report up with 115 photos. They can be found here:

Sawtooth Traverse Report & Photos


Here are a few of my favorites:



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Hiking Northwest

[Magellan]

Gorgeous pictures Jim!!  Thanks.