Twin Lakes (Idaho) facts for kids
The Twin Lakes are two beautiful lakes found close together in the Sawtooth Mountains of Idaho, United States. They are so close that only a small strip of land, less than 100 feet (about 30 meters) wide, separates them! These lakes are special because they are alpine and glacial. This means they are high up in the mountains, and they were formed a very long time ago by giant moving sheets of ice called glaciers.
The Twin Lakes are located in a protected area called the Sawtooth National Recreation Area in Blaine County. Water from these lakes eventually flows into the famous Salmon River.
Exploring the Twin Lakes
Getting to the Twin Lakes is an adventure! You can reach them by following Sawtooth National Forest trail 092. This trail takes you through amazing mountain scenery.
The lakes are part of the Sawtooth Wilderness. A wilderness area is a special place where nature is kept wild and untouched. To help protect this beautiful environment, visitors need to get a special wilderness permit. You can usually find these permits at registration boxes near the start of hiking trails or at the edges of the wilderness area. It's important to get one before you explore!
The Twin Lakes are also near other cool places. They are just a bit higher up than Alice Lake and a few miles upstream from Pettit Lake.
Fun Facts About the Lakes
- South Twin Lake sits at an elevation of about 8,855 feet (2,699 meters) above sea level. It's about 1,512 feet (461 meters) long and 1,109 feet (338 meters) wide.
- North Twin Lake is slightly higher, at about 8,858 feet (2,700 meters) above sea level. It's about 1,479 feet (451 meters) long and 1,411 feet (430 meters) wide.
These measurements show just how big and impressive these mountain lakes are!
Images for kids
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The Twin Lakes at center with Snowyside Peak
