Frog Lake (Idaho) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Frog Lake |
|
|---|---|
Frog Lake
|
|
 Frog Lake
Location in Idaho
Frog Lake
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | Custer County, Idaho |
| Coordinates | 44°04′45″N 114°32′44″W / 44.079050°N 114.545673°W |
| Lake type | Glacial |
| Primary outflows | Little Boulder Creek to East Fork Salmon River |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Max. length | 340 m (1,120 ft) |
| Max. width | 210 m (690 ft) |
| Surface elevation | 2,710 m (8,890 ft) |
Frog Lake is a beautiful alpine lake located high up in the White Cloud Mountains of Idaho, United States. It's found in Custer County and is part of the amazing Sawtooth National Recreation Area, a special place known for its stunning natural beauty and outdoor adventures.
This lake gets its name because it's a super important home for many frogs and toads! It's a great spot for them to live and have their babies.
Contents
Discovering Frog Lake
Frog Lake sits at a high elevation of about 2,710 meters (8,891 feet) above sea level. Lakes found this high in the mountains are called alpine lakes. They are often very clear and cold.
The lake is about 340 meters (1,115 feet) long and 210 meters (689 feet) wide. It was formed by glaciers long, long ago, making it a glacial lake. Glaciers are like giant rivers of ice that slowly move and carve out valleys and basins in the land. When the glaciers melted, they left behind these beautiful lakes.
How to Visit
To reach Frog Lake, adventurers can hike along Sawtooth National Forest trail 047. This trail leads you through the scenic Sawtooth National Forest, offering incredible views of the surrounding mountains and forests. It's a popular spot for hikers and nature lovers.
Home to Frogs and Toads
Frog Lake is especially important because it's surrounded by marshy areas. These marshes are wet, grassy lands that are perfect habitats for amphibians like frogs and toads.
Columbia Spotted Frog
One of the main residents of Frog Lake is the Columbia spotted frog. These frogs are medium-sized and usually have a greenish-brown color with dark spots. They are known for their ability to jump far and their unique calls, which sound like a series of soft clicks.
Western Toad
Another important amphibian found here is the Western toad. These toads are usually larger than the spotted frogs and have bumpy, warty skin. They can be brown, gray, or olive green. Western toads are known for their long migrations to breeding sites, and Frog Lake provides an ideal spot for them to lay their eggs.
The marshy areas around Frog Lake provide a safe place for these amphibians to breed and raise their young. They lay their eggs in the water, and the tadpoles grow there before transforming into adult frogs and toads. Protecting places like Frog Lake helps these amazing creatures thrive.
