Alpine Lake (Central Sawtooth Wilderness) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Alpine Lake |
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Alpine Lake
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 Alpine Lake
Location in Idaho
Alpine Lake
Location in the United States
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| Location | Custer County, Idaho |
| Coordinates | 44°03′53″N 115°01′21″W / 44.0647360°N 115.0224983°W |
| Type | Glacial |
| Primary outflows | Unnamed creek to Redfish Lake Creek to Salmon River |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Max. length | 0.30 mi (0.48 km) |
| Max. width | 0.20 mi (0.32 km) |
| Surface elevation | 8,337 ft (2,541 m) |
Alpine Lake is a beautiful alpine lake located high in the Sawtooth Mountains in Custer County, Idaho, United States. It's part of the amazing Sawtooth National Recreation Area. This lake is about 11.4 miles (18.3 km) southwest of a town called Stanley.
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Discover Alpine Lake
Alpine Lake is a special place, known for its stunning mountain views and clear waters. It's a great spot for adventurers who love the outdoors.
Where is Alpine Lake Located?
This beautiful lake sits in the heart of the Sawtooth Mountains. It's found in Custer County, Idaho. The lake is quite high up, with its surface about 8,337 feet (2,541 m) above sea level. Because it's so high, Alpine Lake can stay frozen with ice and snow well into early summer!
Right next to the southwestern end of the lake, you'll see Packrat Peak. This impressive mountain reaches an elevation of 10,240 feet (3,120 m).
How to Reach Alpine Lake
Getting to Alpine Lake is an adventure itself! You can start your journey from the Redfish Lake Creek trailhead. This trailhead is near a campground at the southwestern end of Redfish Lake.
- Hiking the Trail: From the trailhead, you'll hike about 5 miles (8.0 km) along Redfish Creek. This trail leads you to another path that goes straight up to Alpine Lake.
- Accessing the Trailhead: To get to the Redfish Lake trailhead, you can drive on State Highway 75. Then, you'll turn onto Sawtooth National Forest road 214.
- Saving Steps: If you want to make your hike a bit shorter, you can take a boat across Redfish Lake. This saves you several miles of walking around the lake to reach the Redfish Creek trailhead.
The surface of Redfish Lake, where your journey might begin, is at an elevation of 6,513 feet (1,985 m) above sea level.
Wilderness Rules and Permits
Alpine Lake is located inside the Sawtooth Wilderness. This means it's a protected area where nature is kept wild. If you plan to visit, you'll need a wilderness permit. You can usually get these permits at the trailheads before you start your hike. These rules help protect the beautiful environment for everyone.
