Upper Cramer Lake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Upper Cramer Lake |
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 Upper Cramer Lake
Location in Idaho
Upper Cramer Lake
Location in the United States
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| Location | Custer County, Idaho |
| Coordinates | 44°01′47″N 114°59′13″W / 44.029703°N 114.986939°W |
| Type | Glacial |
| Primary inflows | Redfish Lake Creek |
| Primary outflows | Redfish Lake Creek to Salmon River |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Max. length | 0.29 mi (0.47 km) |
| Max. width | 0.25 mi (0.40 km) |
| Surface elevation | 8,395 ft (2,559 m) |
Upper Cramer Lake is a beautiful, clear lake found high up in the mountains. It's located in Custer County, Idaho, in the United States. This special lake is part of the amazing Sawtooth Mountains, which are known for their jagged, saw-like peaks. It's also inside the huge Sawtooth National Recreation Area, a place set aside for people to enjoy nature.
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Exploring Upper Cramer Lake
Upper Cramer Lake is an alpine lake, which means it's located at a very high elevation in the mountains. Imagine a lake surrounded by tall peaks and fresh, crisp air! It's a great spot for adventurers and nature lovers.
Where is Upper Cramer Lake?
This lake is nestled deep within the Sawtooth Mountains in central Idaho. It's part of the larger Sawtooth National Recreation Area, which covers a huge amount of land. This area is protected so that its natural beauty and wildlife can thrive.
What Kind of Lake Is It?
Upper Cramer Lake is a glacial lake. This means it was formed thousands of years ago by giant sheets of ice called glaciers. As these glaciers moved, they carved out valleys and depressions in the land. When the glaciers melted, these depressions filled with water, creating lakes like Upper Cramer Lake. The water in glacial lakes is often very clear and cold.
Getting to the Lake
Reaching Upper Cramer Lake is an adventure in itself! You can get there by following Sawtooth National Forest trail 154. This trail leads hikers through stunning mountain scenery, offering a chance to see Idaho's wild side up close.
The Sawtooth Wilderness
Upper Cramer Lake is located inside the Sawtooth Wilderness. A wilderness area is a special place where nature is left mostly untouched by humans. To help protect this wild environment, visitors usually need a wilderness permit. You can often get these permits at a registration box found at the start of hiking trails or at the wilderness boundaries. It's a way to make sure everyone helps keep the area pristine.
The Cramer Lakes Chain
Upper Cramer Lake is not alone! It's part of a chain of lakes. Downstream from Upper Cramer Lake, you'll find Middle Cramer Lake and then Lower Cramer Lake. These lakes are all connected by the same water system, flowing down from the mountains.
