Rock Lake (White Cloud Mountains) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Rock Lake |
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 Rock Lake
Location in Idaho
Rock Lake
Location in the United States
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| Location | Custer County, Idaho |
| Coordinates | 44°03′00″N 114°36′32″W / 44.049873°N 114.608869°W |
| Type | Glacial |
| Primary outflows | Little Boulder Creek to East Fork Salmon River |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Max. length | 120 m (390 ft) |
| Max. width | 69 m (226 ft) |
| Surface elevation | 3,025 m (9,925 ft) |
Rock Lake is a beautiful mountain lake found in the White Cloud Mountains of Idaho. It's located in Custer County, within the amazing Sawtooth National Recreation Area. This special lake is known for its stunning natural beauty and peaceful surroundings.
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What is Rock Lake?
Rock Lake is an alpine lake, which means it's a lake found high up in the mountains. It's quite small, about 120 meters (394 feet) long and 69 meters (226 feet) wide. The lake sits at a very high elevation of 3,025 meters (9,925 feet) above sea level.
Where is Rock Lake located?
Rock Lake is nestled in the central part of Idaho, specifically in Custer County. It's part of the larger Sawtooth National Forest area. Even though there aren't any official trails leading directly to the lake, adventurous hikers can reach it by following Sawtooth National Forest trail 047.
How was Rock Lake formed?
Rock Lake is a type of lake called a glacial lake. This means it was formed a very long time ago by glaciers. Glaciers are huge, slow-moving rivers of ice. As they moved across the land, they carved out valleys and depressions in the mountains. When the glaciers melted, these depressions filled with water, creating lakes like Rock Lake.
Exploring the area around Rock Lake
Rock Lake is surrounded by other interesting natural features. It's located northeast of a tall mountain called Merriam Peak. The water from Rock Lake flows out into Little Boulder Creek, which then joins the East Fork Salmon River.
There are also several other lakes nearby, including Baker Lake, Cornice Lake, Emerald Lake, Quiet Lake, and Noisy Lake. These lakes are all part of the same beautiful mountain landscape, offering many places to explore.
