Champion Lakes (Idaho) facts for kids
The Champion Lakes are a cool chain of seven lakes found high up in the mountains of Idaho, in the United States. They are special because they were formed by glaciers a long, long time ago! You can find them in the beautiful White Cloud Mountains, which are part of the Sawtooth National Recreation Area. These lakes are connected like beads on a string by Champion Creek, which eventually flows into the big Salmon River.
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Exploring the Champion Lakes
What are Alpine and Glacial Lakes?
The Champion Lakes are called alpine lakes because they are located very high up in the mountains. Glacial lakes are lakes that were created by glaciers. Imagine giant sheets of ice slowly moving across the land. As they moved, they carved out hollows in the ground. When the glaciers melted, these hollows filled with water, forming lakes!
Lakes Like Beads on a String
The Champion Lakes are also known as Paternoster lakes. This is a fancy name for a chain of lakes that are connected by a single stream or river. They look a bit like beads on a rosary (a string of beads used for prayer), which is where the name "Paternoster" comes from. Even though there are seven lakes, they don't have individual names. Sometimes, lakes 5 and 6 can even dry up, especially during drier times of the year.
Where to Find Them
These amazing lakes are located in Custer County, Idaho. They are nestled in the stunning White Cloud Mountains, which are part of the larger Sawtooth National Recreation Area. If you want to visit them, you can take Sawtooth National Forest trail 105. It's a great way to see the natural beauty of the area.
A Look at the Lakes' Details
Here's a table with some interesting facts about each of the Champion Lakes:
| Lake | Height | Longest Length | Widest Width | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Champion Lake 1 | 2,622 m (8,602 ft) | 076 m (249 ft) | 031 m (102 ft) | 44°00′45″N 114°41′30″W / 44.012554°N 114.691772°W |
| Champion Lake 2 | 2,624 m (8,609 ft) | 390 m (1,280 ft) | 220 m (720 ft) | 44°00′34″N 114°41′29″W / 44.009403°N 114.691421°W |
| Champion Lake 3 | 2,633 m (8,638 ft) | 180 m (590 ft) | 80 m (260 ft) | 44°00′20″N 114°41′29″W / 44.005522°N 114.691487°W |
| Champion Lake 4 | 2,645 m (8,678 ft) | 535 m (1,755 ft) | 208 m (682 ft) | 44°00′00″N 114°41′09″W / 44.000038°N 114.685702°W |
| Champion Lake 5 | 2,646 m (8,681 ft) | 060 m (200 ft) | 034 m (112 ft) | 43°59′48″N 114°41′00″W / 43.996582°N 114.683324°W |
| Champion Lake 6 | 2,695 m (8,842 ft) | 105 m (344 ft) | 072 m (236 ft) | 43°59′35″N 114°41′22″W / 43.992977°N 114.689571°W |
| Champion Lake 7 | 2,719 m (8,921 ft) | 056 m (184 ft) | 038 m (125 ft) | 43°59′41″N 114°40′38″W / 43.994641°N 114.677332°W |
A Recent Event: The Valley Road Forest Fire
In 2005, a wildfire called the Valley Road Forest Fire affected part of the Champion Lakes area. Wildfires are a natural part of many forest ecosystems, but they can also change the landscape. After a fire, the forest slowly starts to regrow, and new plants and animals can begin to thrive.
