Stanley, Idaho
Sawtooth Alpine Lakes
Granite spires, cold lakes, and a lot of sky.
Closures & alerts
Checking official closures and alerts…
Straight from the managing agency, but postings lag. Always call or check the park page the week you go.
Moderate
Difficulty
18 mi
Distance
3,100 ft
Elevation
13 h
Drive time
Jul – Sep
Best season
Trail map
Trail to take
Sawtooth Alpine Lakes — 18 mi · Moderate
The map loads automatically. Open Trailforks below for trail names and difficulty ratings.
Overview
A loop through Alice, Toxaway and Twin Lakes. Swim in the afternoon, watch the granite go pink at nine, sleep hard.
Permits: Free self-issue wilderness permit at the trailhead.
Where to get your permit
- Sawtooth Wilderness permit
Free self-issue box at the trailhead.
Fees, lottery dates and quotas change every season — confirm on the agency page before you plan around them.
Where to camp or stay
Popular sites open on a booking window months ahead and sell out fast.
Highlights
Alice Lake basin
Toxaway Lake swim
Sunrise reflection at Twin Lakes
Suggested itinerary
Day 1
Tin Cup to Alice
Six miles in through pine and granite slab, camp above the lake.
Day 2
Snowyside Pass
Cross the pass, long lunch at Toxaway, camp on the far shore.
Day 3
Twin Lakes loop out
Easy miles, cold swim, Stanley burger at the end.
Packing list
Checked against your gear closet — 5 items to sort out.
- Bear canister
- 30F quilt
- Mosquito headnet
- Water filter
- Puffy jacket
Add gear for this trip
Suggestions shift with the trip length, activities and the forecast above.
3 L
Per person, per day
2 L
Heaviest carry
4.4 lb
Water weight (2.2 lb/L)
4.4 lb
Gear 0.0 lb + water
- Sources unconfirmed — this assumes one mid-day refill. Check conditions before you go.
Food plan
- Freeze-dried dinners
- Tortilla lunches
- Whiskey nip for the last night
Weather & conditions
Next few days
National Weather Service
Alerts & notices
No active National Weather Service alerts for this location.
Forest Service · Sawtooth National Recreation Area
- • Free wilderness permits required at trailhead registers.
- • Snow lingers on the high passes into early July.
Land-manager notices are curated; the Forest Service and Park Service don't publish an open alerts feed, so confirm on the official page before you drive.
Nearby camping
Gear recommendations
Know before you go. Routes, distances, elevation and conditions shown here are estimates and may be inaccurate or out of date. Trail conditions change, and closures happen. Check with the managing land agency, carry a topographic map and compass or GPS, tell someone your plans, and know your limits — you're responsible for your own safety in the outdoors.