Chickadee Lake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Chickadee Lake |
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 Chickadee Lake
Location in Idaho
Chickadee Lake
Location in the United States
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| Location | Elmore County, Idaho |
| Coordinates | 43°55′52″N 115°03′35″W / 43.931056°N 115.059819°W |
| Lake type | Glacial |
| Primary outflows | Timpa Creek to Middle Fork Boise River |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Max. length | 0.12 mi (0.19 km) |
| Max. width | 0.05 mi (0.080 km) |
| Surface elevation | 8,715 ft (2,656 m) |
Chickadee Lake is a beautiful, small lake found high up in the mountains of Idaho, in a place called Elmore County. It's nestled within the amazing Sawtooth Mountains, which are part of the larger Sawtooth National Recreation Area. This special lake is a great spot for adventurers who love nature and hiking.
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Discover Chickadee Lake's Secrets!
Chickadee Lake is known as an alpine lake. This means it's located very high up in the mountains. It's a small lake, only about 0.12 miles long and 0.05 miles wide. Imagine a lake that's almost 9,000 feet above sea level! That's higher than many clouds. The water in alpine lakes is often very clear and cold.
What is an Alpine Lake?
An alpine lake is a lake that forms in the mountains, usually at high elevations. Many of these lakes, like Chickadee Lake, are glacial lakes. This means they were carved out by huge sheets of ice, called glaciers, thousands of years ago. As glaciers moved, they scraped away rock, creating bowls that later filled with melted ice and snow. This is why alpine lakes often have such clear, pure water.
Exploring the Sawtooth Mountains
Chickadee Lake is located in the Sawtooth Mountains. These mountains are famous for their jagged, saw-like peaks that look like teeth. They are a very popular place for hiking, camping, and enjoying the outdoors. The Sawtooth Mountains are in central Idaho and offer stunning views and a chance to see wildlife.
The Sawtooth National Recreation Area
The Sawtooth Mountains are part of the Sawtooth National Recreation Area. This is a huge protected area where people can enjoy nature. It's a place where the land is kept wild and beautiful for everyone to visit. You can go hiking, fishing, and explore the amazing landscapes.
What is a Wilderness Area?
Chickadee Lake is also inside the Sawtooth Wilderness. A wilderness area is an even more protected part of the land. In a wilderness area, there are no roads, cars, or buildings. It's kept as natural as possible. To help protect these special places, visitors often need a wilderness permit. You can usually get one for free at special boxes found at the start of hiking trails. This helps park rangers keep track of visitors and make sure the wilderness stays healthy.
Visiting Chickadee Lake
If you want to visit Chickadee Lake, you can reach it by hiking along Sawtooth National Forest trail 479. This trail follows a stream called Timpa Creek. It's a great way to experience the beauty of the Sawtooth Mountains up close. Chickadee Lake is also connected to other nearby lakes. Timpa Lake is upstream, and Surprise Lake and Confusion Lake are further downstream. Exploring these lakes can be a fun adventure!
