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  2. Western Mountains Outside the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem

Fall Color Hiking in Idaho and Nevada 2020

It had been decades since either one of us had been to the Sawtooth Mountains in Idaho (both backpacking trips, but not with each other). So we felt like we should pay the range a visit. In addition, we had seen some photos of Lamoille Canyon in the Ruby Mtns of Nevada and thought they might be a great place for fall color. And the chance to meet up with some friends from Bozeman was an additional attraction.
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  • Sometimes you get lucky. After driving 360 miles from Bozeman, we found a very nice first come/first served campsite in the Glacier View Campground near Redfish Lake. Hey, they even have flush toilets.

    Sometimes you get lucky. After driving 360 miles from Bozeman, we found a very nice first come/first served campsite in the Glacier View Campground near Redfish Lake. Hey, they even have flush toilets.

  • One of the hikes that we had our eye on was to the Bench Lakes, above Redfish Lake. Our "trailhead" was our campsite. Here, Susie is hiking on a short stretch of road to get over to the real trailhead.

    One of the hikes that we had our eye on was to the Bench Lakes, above Redfish Lake. Our "trailhead" was our campsite. Here, Susie is hiking on a short stretch of road to get over to the real trailhead.

  • Roger signing in for a day hike. Ultimately, when one crosses into the Sawtooth Wilderness, you have to fill out a permit as well.

    Roger signing in for a day hike. Ultimately, when one crosses into the Sawtooth Wilderness, you have to fill out a permit as well.

  • The trail gets rolling thru some lovely aspens that are starting to turn.

    The trail gets rolling thru some lovely aspens that are starting to turn.

  • The trail climbs steadily up a long ridge, that affords only glimpses of the nearby peaks. There was a lot of haze from wildfire smoke, but the closer you got to the peaks, the clearer they became.

    The trail climbs steadily up a long ridge, that affords only glimpses of the nearby peaks. There was a lot of haze from wildfire smoke, but the closer you got to the peaks, the clearer they became.

  • Roger standing in the sun. It was a cool morning.

    Roger standing in the sun. It was a cool morning.

  • This may be Heyburn Mtn, but we are not sure.

    This may be Heyburn Mtn, but we are not sure.

  • Eventually,the trail splits and the right fork crosses into the Wilderness. Roger had backpacked in the Sawtooth Wilderness, south of here, 40 years ago.

    Eventually,the trail splits and the right fork crosses into the Wilderness. Roger had backpacked in the Sawtooth Wilderness, south of here, 40 years ago.

  • We got to the second of the Bench Lakes for lunch, with some nice views of the surrounding peaks. Looking NW.

    We got to the second of the Bench Lakes for lunch, with some nice views of the surrounding peaks. Looking NW.

  • Looking more to the west. Great country for sure. The round trip hike would be something like 8.8 miles but only 1200 feet of climbing.

    Looking more to the west. Great country for sure. The round trip hike would be something like 8.8 miles but only 1200 feet of climbing.

  • The next morning, we decided to drive to the south end of the Sawtooths, near Alturas Lake, and hike in the Alpine Creek valley, that was touted as being a lovely hike.

    The next morning, we decided to drive to the south end of the Sawtooths, near Alturas Lake, and hike in the Alpine Creek valley, that was touted as being a lovely hike.

  • There is a big wall that runs along the north side of the valley, reminding one how small one is.

    There is a big wall that runs along the north side of the valley, reminding one how small one is.

  • The views start to open up.

    The views start to open up.

  • Alpine Creek.

    Alpine Creek.

  • Susie's photo, totally unretouched. Lots of great fall colors.

    Susie's photo, totally unretouched. Lots of great fall colors.

  • The trail mosies along. Here is Susie getting ready to climb a rock slab.

    The trail mosies along. Here is Susie getting ready to climb a rock slab.

  • We would eventually get to, shall we say, the unmaintained part of the trail. Lots of blowdowns and mud holes. So we turned around.

    We would eventually get to, shall we say, the unmaintained part of the trail. Lots of blowdowns and mud holes. So we turned around.

  • A meadow made a nice lunch stop.

    A meadow made a nice lunch stop.

  • Just a tad of color along the creek.

    Just a tad of color along the creek.

  • An open spot with a touch of blue sky. The weather was "spotty" most of the day. An easy hike, a tad less than 7 miles.

    An open spot with a touch of blue sky. The weather was "spotty" most of the day. An easy hike, a tad less than 7 miles.

  • On our last full day in the Sawtooths, Susie went outside early and could see some interesting light on the mountains. Since the forecast was for rain later in the day, she snapped a bunch of photos. This was the best of those.

    On our last full day in the Sawtooths, Susie went outside early and could see some interesting light on the mountains. Since the forecast was for rain later in the day, she snapped a bunch of photos. This was the best of those.

  • Today, with the threat of rain, we decided to drive north of Stanley, ID, drive in the Iron Creek Road, and take a very short hike to a meadow where we might do some photography. We arrived at a big trailhead parking area, and found virtually ALL of the parking space full. We did squeeze into a partial one, and hiked for maybe over a mile to a trail junction and the meadow. The colors were great.

    Today, with the threat of rain, we decided to drive north of Stanley, ID, drive in the Iron Creek Road, and take a very short hike to a meadow where we might do some photography. We arrived at a big trailhead parking area, and found virtually ALL of the parking space full. We did squeeze into a partial one, and hiked for maybe over a mile to a trail junction and the meadow. The colors were great.

  • Why be satisfied with what you can see from a trail? So we left the trail and spent more than an hour poking around the meadow. We must have taken over a hundred photos. We are posting a couple of the most interesting.

    Why be satisfied with what you can see from a trail? So we left the trail and spent more than an hour poking around the meadow. We must have taken over a hundred photos. We are posting a couple of the most interesting.

  • How can one go wrong....

    How can one go wrong....

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    Roger standing in the sun. It was a cool morning.
    This may be Heyburn Mtn, but we are not sure.
    Eventually,the trail splits and the right fork crosses into the Wilderness. Roger had backpacked in the Sawtooth Wilderness, south of here, 40 years ago.