Trail Creek Lakes facts for kids
The Trail Creek Lakes are a group of five beautiful, small lakes high up in the mountains of Idaho, in a place called Boise County. These lakes are found in the amazing Sawtooth Mountains, which are part of the huge Sawtooth National Recreation Area. They were formed a long, long time ago by glaciers, which are like giant, slow-moving rivers of ice.
The lakes are fed by Trail Creek, a smaller stream that eventually flows into the South Fork Payette River. This area is a wonderful place for nature lovers and adventurers.
Exploring the Trail Creek Lakes
The Trail Creek Lakes are located inside the Sawtooth Wilderness. A wilderness area is a special place where nature is protected and kept wild. Because it's a wilderness, you need a special permit to visit. You can usually get this permit at a registration box found at the start of hiking trails or at the edges of the wilderness area. It's important to follow the rules to help keep this beautiful place safe and clean for everyone.
What Makes Them Special?
These lakes are known for their clear, cool water and the stunning mountain views around them. To the east of the lakes, you can see a very tall mountain called Mount Regan. It stands at about 10,190 ft (3,110 m) high! Imagine looking up at that giant peak from the lakeside.
The lakes are a great spot for hiking and enjoying the quiet of nature. You can reach them by following Sawtooth National Forest trail 453. This trail leads you through beautiful forests and offers amazing views along the way.
Lake Details
There are five main lakes in the Trail Creek Lakes group. Each one is a little different in size and shape. Here's a quick look at some facts about them:
| Lake | Elevation | Max. length | Max. width | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trail Creek Lake 1 | 2,516 m (8,255 ft) | 207 m (679 ft) | 161 m (528 ft) | 44°09′39″N 115°04′51″W / 44.160731°N 115.080808°W |
| Trail Creek Lake 2 | 2,517 m (8,258 ft) | 062 m (203 ft) | 033 m (108 ft) | 44°09′34″N 115°04′51″W / 44.159336°N 115.080828°W |
| Trail Creek Lake 3 | 2,510 m (8,230 ft) | 240 m (790 ft) | 145 m (476 ft) | 44°09′28″N 115°04′55″W / 44.157794°N 115.081958°W |
| Trail Creek Lake 4 | 2,513 m (8,245 ft) | 046 m (151 ft) | 033 m (108 ft) | 44°09′37″N 115°05′00″W / 44.160267°N 115.083331°W |
| Trail Creek Lake 5 | 2,435 m (7,989 ft) | 274 m (899 ft) | 158 m (518 ft) | 44°09′30″N 115°05′13″W / 44.158425°N 115.087039°W |
