The Sawtooths

Arriving from Sun Valley by the Idaho 75 you are offered this magnificent overlook of the Sawtooth range near the Galena Summit ( 8,701ft or 1,756 m). Part of the Rocky Mountains the Sawtooths cover an area of 678 square miles (1,756 km²), with some 57 peaks with an elevation over 10,000 feet (3,000 m).

Evening light

Sunset on the Sawtooths, as seen from Park Creek.

Little Redfish morning

Alpenglow gives the Sawtooth peaks overlooking Little Redfish Lake a rusty shine. Redfish refers to the red-scaled Sockeye salmon travelling every year in an epic 900-mile journey from the Pacific Ocean via the Salmon River to the Sawtooth lakes.

Creeks and fences

The area around Stanley is crisscrossed by countless creeks and the traditional zigzagging split-rail fences. The Valley Creek joins the Salmon River in Stanley.

Little cabin on the hill

Meadow and old cabin near Stanley.

Fences and peaks

Split-rail fences leading towards the Sawtooth peaks near Stanley.

Mist

These June mornings were particularly cold and humid around the lakes and the Salmon river, as here on the banks of Stanley Lake.

Dawn at Stanley Lake

First light on Stanley Lake and McGown Peak. No clouds on this chilly June morning at the lake, yet the mist helped a bit for the atmosphere while the absence of wind did the rest.

First light on McGown Peak

McGown Peak reflects in Stanley Lake on this calm but chilly June morning. The rugged peak (3,010 m) was named after the McGown Brothers, known to run cattle in the area during the late 19th century.

Morning on Stanley Lake

The morning sun on Stanley Lake in the Idaho Sawtooths paints McGown Peak (3,010 m) yellow, while fog rises from the lake and the nearby Salmon River. It was still pretty cold (just barely above freezing) this June morning, but the absence of wind created a fairytale-like spectacle. The place is surrounded by campgrounds, yet I was the only one awake (not mentioning dozens of birds) to witness this magical moment of a beginning new day.

Redfish Lake Creek

The Redfish Lake Creek rushes through its narrow riverbed, connecting the lake with the Salmon River.

A new lake ?

Actually, just a giant puddle covering a dirt road, reflecting McGown Peak near Stanley Lake.

Sawtooths sunset

A spectacular sunset over the Sawtooth range.