Rock Slide Lake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Rock Slide Lake |
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 Rock Slide Lake
Location in Idaho
Rock Slide Lake
Location in the United States
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| Location | Boise County, Idaho |
| Coordinates | 43°57′14″N 115°03′09″W / 43.953853°N 115.052414°W |
| Type | Glacial |
| Primary outflows | Benedict Creek to South Fork Payette River |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Max. length | 0.16 mi (0.26 km) |
| Max. width | 0.10 mi (0.16 km) |
| Surface elevation | 8,670 ft (2,640 m) |
Rock Slide Lake is a beautiful, small lake found high up in the mountains of Boise County, Idaho, United States. It's located in the amazing Sawtooth Mountains, which are part of the larger Sawtooth National Recreation Area. This lake is a great example of a natural wonder formed by glaciers long ago.
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Rock Slide Lake: A Mountain Gem
Rock Slide Lake is known as an alpine lake. This means it's a lake found at a high elevation, usually above the tree line or in areas with very cold winters. These lakes are often clear and cold, fed by melting snow and ice. Rock Slide Lake is quite small, measuring about 0.16 miles (or about 257 meters) long and 0.10 miles (about 160 meters) wide. It sits at a high elevation of 8,670 feet (about 2,643 meters) above sea level.
Where is Rock Slide Lake?
This special lake is tucked away in the central part of Idaho. It's located within the Sawtooth National Recreation Area, a huge protected area known for its stunning mountain peaks, clear lakes, and dense forests. The Sawtooth Mountains are a sub-range of the Rocky Mountains, famous for their jagged, "sawtooth-like" peaks.
What is a Glacial Lake?
Rock Slide Lake is a glacial lake. This means it was formed by the movement of glaciers. Thousands of years ago, huge sheets of ice, called glaciers, slowly moved across the land. As they moved, they carved out valleys and scooped out depressions in the ground. When the glaciers melted, these depressions filled with water, creating lakes. Glacial lakes often have very clear water because the melting ice leaves behind little sediment.
Exploring the Sawtooth Wilderness
Rock Slide Lake is located inside the Sawtooth Wilderness. A wilderness area is a special place where the land is kept as natural as possible. There are no roads, buildings, or permanent structures allowed. The goal is to protect the environment and allow nature to thrive without much human interference.
Getting to the Lake
To visit Rock Slide Lake, you need to hike. The lake can be reached from Sawtooth National Forest trail 462. Trails in wilderness areas are often rugged, so hikers need to be prepared with the right gear and knowledge.
Protecting the Wilderness
Because Rock Slide Lake is in a wilderness area, you need a wilderness permit to visit. These permits are usually free and can be picked up at registration boxes located at trailheads or at the boundaries of the wilderness area. The permits help park rangers keep track of how many people are visiting and educate visitors on how to protect the environment by following rules like "Leave No Trace." This helps make sure these beautiful places stay wild for everyone to enjoy for many years.
Nearby Lakes
Rock Slide Lake is part of a network of lakes in the Sawtooth Mountains. Just downstream from Rock Slide Lake, meaning its water flows into it, is Benedict Lake. If you were to travel over a mountain pass to the southeast, you would find another beautiful body of water called Lake Ingeborg. These lakes are all connected by the natural flow of water through the mountains.
