Vernon Lake (Idaho) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Vernon Lake |
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 Vernon Lake
Location in Idaho
Vernon Lake
Location in the United States
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| Location | Boise County, Idaho |
| Coordinates | 43°57′49″N 114°59′32″W / 43.9636°N 114.992289°W |
| Type | Glacial |
| Primary outflows | South Fork Payette River |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Max. length | 0.34 mi (0.55 km) |
| Max. width | 0.20 mi (0.32 km) |
| Surface elevation | 8,460 ft (2,580 m) |
Vernon Lake is a beautiful alpine lake located high up in the Sawtooth Mountains in Boise County, Idaho, United States. It's part of the amazing Sawtooth National Recreation Area. This lake is about 17 miles (27 km) southwest of a town called Stanley and 14.5 miles (23.3 km) southeast of Grandjean.
Vernon Lake is found in the wild and remote central Sawtooth Wilderness. You can reach it by following trails from many different directions. These include the Sawtooth Valley to the east, Grandjean to the northwest, Redfish Lake to the north, and Atlanta to the south.
Exploring Vernon Lake
Vernon Lake sits in a natural bowl, or basin, surrounded by other cool lakes. Some of these nearby lakes include Edna Lake and Virginia Lake. These lakes are located right along the main ridge of the Sawtooths. They are also close to where the borders of Boise, Custer, and Elmore counties meet.
Water Flow
Right above Vernon Lake, there's an unnamed lake that acts as the starting point for the South Fork of the Payette River. This means Vernon Lake gets its water from this higher lake and then flows into the Payette River.
Visiting the Sawtooth Wilderness
Vernon Lake is located inside the Sawtooth Wilderness. A wilderness area is a special place where nature is protected and kept wild. Because it's a wilderness area, you'll need to get a permit to visit. You can usually pick up these permits at the start of the hiking trails. This helps make sure everyone respects the environment and keeps it beautiful for future visitors.
