Quiet Lake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Quiet Lake |
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![]() Quiet Lake
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Location | Custer County, Idaho |
Coordinates | 44°03′17″N 114°35′35″W / 44.054689°N 114.593090°W |
Type | Glacial |
Primary outflows | Little Boulder Creek to East Fork Salmon River |
Basin countries | United States |
Max. length | 546 m (1,791 ft) |
Max. width | 330 m (1,080 ft) |
Surface elevation | 2,820 m (9,250 ft) |
Quiet Lake is a beautiful, high-altitude lake located in the mountains of Idaho, United States. It's found in a special area called the White Cloud Mountains, which are part of the Sawtooth National Recreation Area. This lake is known for its peaceful setting and clear waters, making it a hidden gem for adventurers.
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Exploring Quiet Lake
Quiet Lake is a type of lake called an alpine lake. This means it is located very high up in the mountains. The lake sits at an elevation of about 2,820 meters (9,252 feet) above sea level. It is a peaceful spot, living up to its name.
Where is Quiet Lake?
You can find Quiet Lake in Custer County, Idaho. It's nestled within the stunning White Cloud Mountains. These mountains are part of a larger protected area called the Sawtooth National Recreation Area. This area is famous for its rugged beauty and many lakes.
How Quiet Lake Was Formed
Quiet 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 slowly across the land, they carved out deep hollows in the rock. When the glaciers melted, these hollows filled with water, creating lakes like Quiet Lake. The lake is fed by melting snow and ice from the surrounding peaks. Its water then flows out into Little Boulder Creek.
Getting to Quiet Lake
Quiet Lake is a bit of a challenge to reach, which helps keep it quiet! There are no official trails that lead directly to the lake. However, experienced hikers can access it from Sawtooth National Forest trail 047. This means you need to be good at navigating off-trail to find this hidden mountain lake.
Nearby Lakes
Quiet Lake is surrounded by several other beautiful lakes in the White Cloud Mountains. It is located northeast of a tall mountain called Merriam Peak.
You can find Quiet Lake upstream from Baker Lake and Noisy Lake. This means water flows from Quiet Lake down to these other lakes.
Quiet Lake also receives water from lakes that are even higher up. These include Cornice Lake, Emerald Lake, Glacier Lake, and Rock Lake. It's like a chain of lakes, with water flowing from one to the next down the mountain.