Meadow Lake (Idaho) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Meadow Lake |
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Location | Boise County, Idaho |
Coordinates | 44°03′14″N 115°04′08″W / 44.053842°N 115.069019°W |
Type | Glacial |
Primary outflows | Goat Creek to South Fork Payette River |
Basin countries | United States |
Max. length | 0.07 mi (0.11 km) |
Max. width | 0.05 mi (0.080 km) |
Surface elevation | 8,275 ft (2,522 m) |
Meadow Lake is a beautiful, small lake found high up in the mountains of Idaho. It is located in Boise County, within the amazing Sawtooth Mountains. This special area is part of the Sawtooth National Recreation Area, a protected place for nature lovers.
About Meadow Lake
Meadow Lake is known as an alpine lake. This means it is located very high up in the mountains. It is also a glacial lake, which means it was formed by ancient glaciers. These huge sheets of ice carved out the land long ago.
The lake is quite small. It is about 0.07 miles long and 0.05 miles wide. Meadow Lake sits at a high elevation of 8,275 feet above sea level. Water flows out of the lake into a stream called Goat Creek. This creek eventually joins the South Fork Payette River.
Exploring the Sawtooth Wilderness
Meadow Lake is located inside the Sawtooth Wilderness. A wilderness area is a special place that is kept wild and natural. It is protected from development and human changes. This helps keep the plants and animals safe.
To visit Meadow Lake, you need a wilderness permit. You can get these permits at special boxes found at trailheads or at the edges of the wilderness area. These permits help manage how many people visit. This protects the wild environment.
There are no official trails that lead directly to Meadow Lake. This makes it a very remote and quiet spot. It is a great place for adventurers who enjoy exploring untouched nature.