Big Boulder Lakes facts for kids
The Big Boulder Lakes are a group of thirteen beautiful lakes found in Custer County, Idaho, United States. These lakes are high up in the White Cloud Mountains, which are part of the amazing Sawtooth National Recreation Area. They are special because they were formed by glaciers long ago, making them "glacial lakes." They are also called "Paternoster lakes" because they are linked together like beads on a string.
Discovering the Big Boulder Lakes
The Big Boulder Lakes are a chain of thirteen small lakes. They are located in the upper part of the Big Boulder Creek area, just east of D. O. Lee Peak. This area is known as a "watershed," which means it's where all the water from rain and snow collects and flows into a main creek.
What Makes These Lakes Special?
These lakes are known as alpine and glacial lakes.
- Alpine lakes are found high up in the mountains, usually above the tree line. This means they are in a very wild and beautiful environment.
- Glacial lakes were created by huge sheets of ice, called glaciers, that moved across the land thousands of years ago. As the glaciers moved, they carved out hollows in the ground. When the ice melted, these hollows filled with water, forming the lakes we see today.
- The term Paternoster lakes describes how these lakes are connected. They are linked by streams, flowing one after another down a valley, much like beads on a rosary or "Paternoster" string.
Exploring the Big Boulder Lakes
Besides the main lakes, the Big Boulder Lakes also include four smaller lakes that are known as The Kettles. These lakes are a great spot for outdoor adventures. If you want to visit them, you can follow Sawtooth National Forest trail 601. This trail leads right to the Big Boulder Lakes, offering amazing views and a chance to explore nature.
