Walker Lake (Idaho) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Walker Lake |
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 Walker Lake
Location in Idaho
Walker Lake
Location in the United States
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| Location | Custer County, Idaho |
| Coordinates | 44°06′25″N 114°35′50″W / 44.106920°N 114.597314°W |
| Type | Glacial |
| Primary outflows | Little Boulder Creek to East Fork Salmon River |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Max. length | 570 m (1,870 ft) |
| Max. width | 225 m (738 ft) |
| Surface elevation | 2,820 m (9,250 ft) |
Walker Lake is a beautiful, clear lake high up in the mountains of Idaho, United States. It's known as an alpine lake because it's found at a very high elevation. This special lake is located in Custer County, Idaho, within the stunning White Cloud Mountains. It's part of the amazing Sawtooth National Recreation Area, a huge natural playground for outdoor lovers.
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Discovering Walker Lake
Walker Lake is a hidden gem in the wild landscapes of Idaho. It's a perfect example of nature's beauty, surrounded by tall peaks and fresh mountain air. The lake is quite long, stretching about 570 meters (that's almost half a mile!), and about 225 meters wide. Imagine a lake sitting nearly 2,820 meters (over 9,200 feet) above sea level – that's how high up Walker Lake is!
Where is Walker Lake?
This lovely lake is found in Custer County, Idaho. It sits within the impressive White Cloud Mountains, which are part of the larger Sawtooth National Recreation Area. This area is a protected space, meaning it's kept wild and natural for everyone to enjoy.
To reach Walker Lake, adventurers can hike along Sawtooth National Forest trail 601. This trail takes you through beautiful forests and offers amazing views, making the journey to the lake an adventure in itself.
How Was Walker Lake Formed?
Walker Lake is a glacial lake. This means it was created a very long time ago by huge sheets of ice called glaciers. As these glaciers slowly moved across the land, they carved out deep hollows and valleys. When the glaciers melted at the end of the last Ice Age, these hollows filled with water, forming lakes like Walker Lake. The water in the lake is incredibly clear because it comes from melted snow and rain from the surrounding mountains.
Neighboring Lakes
Walker Lake isn't alone in this mountainous region. It's located downstream from several other beautiful lakes, meaning water from some of these lakes might eventually flow into Walker Lake. These nearby lakes include:
- Boulder Lake
- Cirque Lake
- Cove Lake
- Gentian Lake
- Hook Lake
- Neck Lake
- Sapphire Lake
- Sheep Lake
- Slide Lake
- Snow Lake
These lakes, along with Walker Lake, create a network of stunning water bodies that add to the beauty and natural importance of the White Cloud Mountains.
