Grand Sawtooth Loop

Spectacular mountain scenery in the Idaho Sawtooth Wilderness, numerous outstanding swimmable alpine lakes, and wildflower ridges.

The trailhead is about a 10-hour 550-mile drive from Seattle to the trailhead at Grandjean Campground, which is a 31-site which does not allow reservations.  

Day 1:  Grandjean Campground to Trail Creek Lakes, about 6 miles, climbing 2,800’ to Trail Creek Lakes.  

Day 2:  Trail Creek Lakes to Baron Creek, approximately 13.5 miles, ascending 1,650’ and descending 4,000’. The trail leads through the McGown Lakes basin before ascending to the high pass providing the first views of Sawtooth Lake, described by Lorain as “one of the most beautiful and photogenic alpine lakes in North America.”  After descending to the Lake’s outlet, follow the eastern shoreline before making a long, and at times brushy, descent along North Fork Baron Creek to our second camp near the intersection with Baron Creek.

Day 3:  Baron Creek to Cramer Lake, 16.8 miles ascending 4,600’ and descending 1,900’   We ascend the canyon of Baron Creek through fields of wildflowers past Baron Creek Falls to Baron Lake.  From Baron Lake climb to 9,150’ Baron Divide’s panoramic views.  Descend past Alpine Lake and ford Redfish Lake Creek, and then to our campsite on Lower Cramer Lake. 

Day 4:  Lower Cramer Lake to Ardeth Lake, 10.5 miles, climbing 2,200’ and descending 2,200’.  From Lower Cramer Lake, ascend by Upper Cramer Lake co Cramer Divide before descending to Hidder Lake, then Virginia Lake, Edna Lake, Vernon Lake, and finally to our camp on Arden Lake. 

Day 5: Ardeth Lake to Elk Lake, approximately 12 miles, 1,100’ ascent, 2,800’ descent.  From Ardeth Lake ascend to 9,000’ Tenlake Divide before descending past Spangle Lake, Little Spangle Lake, Lake Ingeborg, Rock Slide Lake, Benedict Lake, and Elk Lake, and our campsite and final lake on the Loop 

Day 6: Elk Lake to Grandjean Campground, 11 miles, 400’ ascent, 1,900’ descent.  Descend mostly wooded trail along the South Fork of the Payette River back to the trailhead.

• Suitable Activities: Backpacking
• Seasons: July, August, September
• Weather: View weather forecast

• Difficulty: Very Strenuous
• Length: 72.0 mi
• Elevation Gain: 13,300 ft
• High Point: 9,500 ft

• Land Manager: Sawtooth National Forest
• Parking Permit Required: Northwest Forest Pass
• Recommended Party Size: 12
• Maximum Party Size: 12
• Maximum Route/Place Capacity: 12