Heart Lake (Idaho) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Heart Lake |
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 Heart Lake
Location in Idaho
Heart Lake
Location in the United States
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| Location | Elmore County, Idaho |
| Coordinates | 43°56′23″N 114°59′52″W / 43.939586°N 114.997858°W |
| Lake type | Glacial |
| Primary outflows | Flytrip Creek to Middle Fork Boise River |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Max. length | 0.20 mi (0.32 km) |
| Max. width | 0.15 mi (0.24 km) |
| Surface elevation | 8,575 ft (2,614 m) |
Heart Lake is a beautiful small lake located high up in the mountains of Idaho. It's famous for its unique shape, which looks just like a heart! This special lake is found in the rugged Sawtooth Mountains, inside a big protected area called the Sawtooth National Recreation Area.
About Heart Lake
Heart Lake is a tiny lake, only about 0.20 miles (0.32 km) long and 0.15 miles (0.24 km) wide. It's an alpine lake, which means it's located very high up in the mountains. The lake gets its name because it truly looks like a heart when you see it from above.
This lake is a glacial lake. This means it was formed a very long time ago by huge sheets of ice called glaciers. As glaciers moved, they carved out the land, leaving behind basins that filled with water when the ice melted.
Heart Lake is part of the Flytrip Creek basin. This area also has other small lakes, like Camp Lake. Water flows out of Heart Lake into Flytrip Creek, which eventually joins the Middle Fork Boise River.
Where is Heart Lake?
Heart Lake is located in Elmore County, Idaho. It sits high in the Sawtooth Mountains. These mountains are known for their tall, jagged peaks that look like saw teeth.
The lake is part of the Sawtooth National Recreation Area. This is a special place set aside to protect the natural beauty of the mountains. It's a popular spot for outdoor adventures.
Visiting Heart Lake
If you want to visit Heart Lake, you'll need to go on a hike! The lake can be reached by following Sawtooth National Forest trail 461. This trail takes you through beautiful forests and mountain scenery.
Heart Lake is located inside the Sawtooth Wilderness. A wilderness area is a place where the land is kept as natural as possible, with very few roads or buildings. To help protect this special environment, visitors need a wilderness permit. You can usually get one for free at a registration box located at the start of hiking trails or at the wilderness boundaries.
When you visit, you can enjoy hiking, taking photos, and simply enjoying the peaceful mountain environment. Remember to always follow "Leave No Trace" principles to keep the wilderness clean and beautiful for everyone.
What is a Glacial Lake?
A glacial lake is a lake that was formed by the movement of glaciers. Glaciers are like giant, slow-moving rivers of ice. As they slide across the land, they pick up rocks and dirt, carving out valleys and depressions.
When the climate warms, these glaciers melt. The water from the melting ice fills the depressions they created, forming lakes. Many of the beautiful lakes in mountain ranges around the world, like Heart Lake, were formed this way.
