McDonald Lake (Idaho) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids McDonald Lake |
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McDonald Lake
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 McDonald Lake
Location in Idaho
McDonald Lake
Location in the United States
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| Location | Custer County, Idaho |
| Coordinates | 43°59′53″N 114°53′22″W / 43.998047°N 114.889469°W |
| Type | Glacial |
| Primary outflows | Creek to Salmon River |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Max. length | 0.28 mi (0.45 km) |
| Max. width | 0.17 mi (0.27 km) |
| Surface elevation | 7,097 ft (2,163 m) |
McDonald Lake is a beautiful, small lake found high up in the mountains of Idaho. It's known as an alpine lake because it's located in a high-altitude area. This special lake is in Custer County, within the amazing Sawtooth Valley. It's also part of the Sawtooth National Recreation Area, a place protected for its natural beauty.
McDonald Lake was formed a very long time ago by glaciers. These huge sheets of ice carved out the land, leaving behind the basin that filled with water. Over time, the lake has become quite shallow. About half of it is now a wetland, which is a marshy area. This happened because of sedimentation, where sand, mud, and other materials slowly settled at the bottom.
Exploring McDonald Lake
McDonald Lake is a peaceful spot, perfect for enjoying nature. It's not too far from some well-known towns in Idaho.
Where is McDonald Lake?
This lovely lake is located in central Idaho. It's about 15 miles (24 km) south of a town called Stanley. If you're coming from Ketchum, it's about 34 miles (55 km) to the northwest.
How to Visit McDonald Lake
Getting to McDonald Lake is an adventure! You can reach it from State Highway 75. From there, you'll take Sawtooth National Forest road 205. Then, you'll switch to forest road 096.
Forest road 096 is a bit rough, so you'll need a vehicle with high ground clearance. This means a car that sits higher off the ground. This road leads right to a hiking trail and a campground. The campground is on the shores of Yellow Belly Lake, which is just downstream from McDonald Lake. From Yellow Belly Lake, you can hike up to McDonald Lake.
