Sawtooth Wilderness
The Sawtooth Wilderness is a federally protected area within the Sawtooth National Forest in Idaho. There are so many recreational opportunities, including hiking, backpacking and fishing. To visit the recreational areas here, you will need to pay a day use or overnight fee. This route we picked was an absolute stunner and one of our favorites! Beautiful sunrises, alpine lake dips and unreal mountain views!
Route 1
Pettit, Alice, Twin, Toxaway, Cramer & Red Fish Lakes
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28.5-30 Miles Point to Point
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3 nights/4 days
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Moderate/Hard
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Dog Friendly (on leash)
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Park at Pettit Lake Campground (15$ overnight parking fee)
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Start at the Tin Cup Trailhead
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Night 1 : camp at either Alice Lake or Twin Lakes
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Night 2: camp at Toxaway Lake
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Night 3 : camp at Cramer Lakes
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End at Red Fish Lake (20$ overnight parking fee)
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Take ferry across lake to parking lot ($18 one way and YES dogs are welcome!)
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When to go : June - September
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Backcountry permit required to camp (permits available at trailhead)
NOTE
This is a point to point route. We parked 1 car at Red Fish Lake and another car at Pettit Lake.
You can do this route in 2 nights 3 days but we wanted to enjoy the trek a little bit longer!
It was very buggy, but noticeably WAY more intense at Toxaway Lake! Be prepared with nets, bug spray or Deet treating your gear!
AllTrails Link
NIGHT 1 : Alice Lakes & Twin Lakes
It's about 6-7miles from the Tin Cup Trail Head to Alice/Twin Lakes. We love both campsites but prefer Twin Lakes! It's a bit more secluded with epic views! Don't forget to check out El Capitan along the way to Alice Lake.
NIGHT 2 : Toxaway Lake
I recommend starting your trek to Toxaway Lake early. The pass has steep switchbacks with no shade. It gets hot quickly, especially for the doggos! Once at the top there is a rock ledge with an amazing views of the Sawtooth Mountains and Twin Lakes below. A big tree sits at the top of the pass with some rewarding shade. Perfect spot for a break. We camped the night at Toxaway Lake, took a quick cold plunge and watched the sun set (while getting eaten alive by bugs).
NIGHT 3 : Cramer Lakes
We woke up dark and early knowing this is longest stretch of the trip so stay hydrated and get the first pass done early in the morning! The sunrise over Toxaway as your climbing the pass is incredible! There are 2 passes you will have to trek from Toxaway Lake to get to the Cramer Lakes. They are both steep! We took a long lunch break at Hidden Lake and stocked up on water. There is only one more stop to stock up on water on your way to the Temple Pass. I marked it on my Gaia Maps. Once you get to Cramer Lakes, I recommend camping at the Middle Lake. there is a beautiful waterfall, tons of shade and epic views.
DAY 4 : Make the trek to RedFish Lake.
On our hike back we witnessed a rockslide on our way back so be carful! Once you reach Red Fish Lake, there is a picnic area along the shore with a loading dock. That's where the ferry pics up hikers. Take the Ferry across RedFish Lake (18$ one way) and head back to your vehicle. Our dog was welcome on the ferry and we refueled at this cute little burger shack that sat right on the beach at Red Fish Lake! It was an epic trip!
