Profile Lake (Idaho) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Profile Lake |
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Location | Custer County, Idaho |
Coordinates | 44°11′44″N 115°03′39″W / 44.195622°N 115.060933°W |
Type | Glacial |
Primary outflows | Hell Roaring Creek to Salmon River |
Basin countries | United States |
Max. length | 0.24 mi (0.39 km) |
Max. width | 0.19 mi (0.31 km) |
Surface elevation | 9,515 ft (2,900 m) |
Profile Lake is a beautiful, small lake high up in the mountains of Idaho. It's located in a special area called the Sawtooth Mountains, which are part of the Sawtooth National Recreation Area. This lake is known as an "alpine lake" because it's found at a very high elevation, surrounded by tall peaks.
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Discover Profile Lake: A Mountain Gem
Profile Lake is a small, clear lake nestled in the Sawtooth Mountains of Idaho, United States. It's located in Custer County, a beautiful part of the state. Because it sits so high up in the mountains, it's called an alpine lake.
What is an Alpine Lake?
An alpine lake is a lake found at a high altitude, often above the tree line. These lakes are usually very clear and cold. They are often formed by glaciers that carved out the land long ago. Profile Lake is a great example of this type of lake.
Exploring the Sawtooth Area
Profile Lake is part of the larger Sawtooth National Recreation Area. This area is a huge protected space where people can enjoy nature. It includes mountains, forests, and many lakes. The Sawtooth Mountains are famous for their jagged, saw-like peaks.
Getting to Profile Lake
Profile Lake is a bit of a hidden gem because there aren't any direct trails leading right to it. However, adventurers can usually reach it by following Sawtooth National Forest trail 092. This makes the journey to the lake feel like a true exploration!
The Sawtooth Wilderness
The lake is located inside the Sawtooth Wilderness. A wilderness area is a special place where nature is kept as wild as possible. There are very few roads or buildings, and people must follow strict rules to protect the environment.
To visit the Sawtooth Wilderness, you need a special permit. You can usually get this permit at a registration box found at the start of hiking trails or at the wilderness boundaries. This helps manage how many people visit and keeps the area pristine.
Nearby Natural Features
Profile Lake is surrounded by other interesting natural landmarks. Just downstream from Profile Lake, you'll find Hell Roaring Lake. To the southwest, you can see the impressive Mount Cramer. These features add to the wild beauty of the area around Profile Lake.