Shelf Lake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Shelf Lake |
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 Shelf Lake
Location in Idaho
Shelf Lake
Location in the United States
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| Location | Custer County, Idaho |
| Coordinates | 44°04′13″N 114°34′04″W / 44.070398°N 114.567814°W |
| Type | Glacial |
| Primary outflows | Little Boulder Creek to East Fork Salmon River |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Max. length | 902 ft (275 m) |
| Max. width | 579 ft (176 m) |
| Surface area | 7.8 acres (3.2 ha) |
| Surface elevation | 8,943 ft (2,726 m) |
Shelf Lake is a beautiful alpine lake located in Custer County, Idaho, in the United States. It sits high up in the White Cloud Mountains, which are part of the amazing Sawtooth National Recreation Area.
This lake gets its name from a cool natural feature: a distinct rock shelf that stretches along the south and west sides of the lake. It's like a natural border around the water!
Contents
Exploring Shelf Lake
Shelf Lake is a type of lake called a glacial lake. This means it was formed a very long time ago by glaciers, which were huge sheets of ice that moved across the land. As the glaciers moved, they carved out the land, leaving behind basins that later filled with water.
How to Reach Shelf Lake
If you want to visit Shelf Lake, you can get there by following Sawtooth National Forest trail 683. This trail takes you through some incredible scenery in the national forest.
Where is Shelf Lake Located?
Shelf Lake is found northeast of a mountain called Merriam Peak. It's also located in the lower part of an area known as the Boulder Chain Lakes Basin. This basin is home to several other lakes, all created by ancient glaciers.
Facts About Shelf Lake
- Shelf Lake is about 902 ft (275 m) long.
- It is about 579 ft (176 m) wide.
- The lake covers an area of about 7.8 acres (3.2 ha).
- It sits at a high elevation of 8,943 ft (2,726 m) above sea level. This makes it an "alpine" lake, meaning it's found in high mountain areas.
- Water flows out of Shelf Lake into Little Boulder Creek, which then joins the East Fork Salmon River.
