Hidden Lake (Sawtooth Wilderness) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hidden Lake |
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Location | Boise County, Idaho |
Coordinates | 44°00′00″N 114°59′53″W / 44.000047°N 114.998117°W |
Lake type | Glacial |
Primary outflows | South Fork Payette River |
Basin countries | United States |
Max. length | 0.58 mi (0.93 km) |
Max. width | 0.16 mi (0.26 km) |
Surface elevation | 8,563 ft (2,610 m) |
Hidden Lake is a beautiful lake located high up in the mountains of Boise County, Idaho, in the United States. It's a special place found within the amazing Sawtooth Mountains. This whole area is part of the Sawtooth National Recreation Area, which is a huge natural space protected for its stunning beauty.
Discovering Hidden Lake
Hidden Lake is known as an alpine lake. This means it's located very high up in the mountains. Many alpine lakes, like Hidden Lake, were formed by huge sheets of ice called glaciers thousands of years ago. As glaciers moved, they carved out valleys and left behind basins that filled with water when the ice melted.
The lake is nestled deep within the Sawtooth Mountains. These mountains are famous for their jagged peaks that look like saw teeth, which is how they got their name!
Visiting the Lake
Getting to Hidden Lake is an exciting adventure for hikers and nature lovers. You can reach it by following Sawtooth National Forest trail 154. This trail takes you through beautiful forests and offers amazing views of the surrounding wilderness.
The Sawtooth Wilderness
Hidden Lake is located inside the Sawtooth Wilderness. A wilderness area is a special place where nature is protected and kept as wild as possible. To help protect these areas, visitors often need a wilderness permit. You can usually get one for free at a registration box located at the start of trails or at the wilderness boundaries. These permits help park rangers keep track of how many people are visiting and ensure everyone follows rules to protect the environment.
Nearby Peaks
Just to the northeast of Hidden Lake, you can see a very tall mountain called Mount Cramer. It's an impressive sight, rising high above the lake. Mount Cramer is actually the second highest point in the entire Sawtooth Mountains, making it a significant landmark in the area.