A Trip to Idaho's Sawtooth Wilderness- Toxaway Lake to Alice Lake

Travel StoriesTrails Peaks and Waterfalls

Aug 8

*Morning at Toxaway Lake, Sawtooth Wilderness, Idaho*

The second morning of our backpacking trip in the Sawtooth Wilderness came without a cloud in the sky. We packed up camp and set off for the morning climb, heading around Toxaway Lake and up to Snowyside Pass.

*Snowyside Peak, Sawtooth Wilderness, Idaho*

*Toxaway Lake, Sawtooth Wilderness, Idaho*

After hiking around Toxaway Lake we turned and headed towards Snowyside Peak. We wound up the trail to a partially frozen unnamed lake and then up to the snowfield. Traversing the snow wasn’t difficult due to the warm weather, but it was hard to follow a particular route. When we got to the top of the pass, we understood the name as the snow ended right at the cornice of the pass.

*Unnamed Lake, Sawtooth Wilderness, Idaho*

*Heading up Snowyside Pass above unnamed lake, Sawtooth Wilderness, Idaho*

*Snowyside Pass above unnamed lake, Sawtooth Wilderness, Idaho*

*Snowyside Pass, Sawtooth Wilderness, Idaho*

The view at the top of Snowyside Pass took our breath away. I hadn’t been prepared for such an incredible view of the Twin Lakes basin and I had to sit down for a moment to fully breath in all in. The lakes were an incredible color and the surrounding mountains and blue sky only made them more beautiful. This single view made the entire climb worth it.

*Twin Lakes, Sawtooth Wilderness, Idaho*

*Above Twin Lakes, Sawtooth Wilderness, Idaho*

*Twin Lakes Basin, Sawtooth Wilderness, Idaho*

We followed the trail down the pass and away from Twin Lakes. Alice Lake lay below where we took a little swim break in the ice cold water. My blistered and tired feet were grateful for the freezing temperatures and pain release! Idaho’s El Capitan stood proud above Alice Lake and we followed the shoreline along the trail for beautiful views of the peak from all angles.

*El Capitan and Alice Lakes, Sawtooth Wilderness, Idaho*

*Alice Lakes, Sawtooth Wilderness, Idaho*

*El Capitan, Sawtooth Wilderness, Idaho*

After following the shore to the other side of the lake, we walked straight out towards Pettit Lake, miles below. Through this section of trail, we crossed the stream about 6 times, all requiring that we remove our boots to wade across which made for a slow journey out. We were rushing to make it back to our campground to indulge in their famed local grass-fed burger, so there wasn’t much time for stopping for photographs along the way. Fortunately, we made it just in time and the burger was well worth the rush!