Sawtooth Lake Via Ironcreek Trailhead

Sawtooth Lake is a very popular hike in Idaho. It is a moderate/hard hike. Around a 10 mile round trip with about a 1,800’ elevation gain. Plan for 4-5 hour hike time to get to lake and 8~ hour round trip.

I hiked Aug. 27-28, 2021.

Ironcreek Trail starts in a parking lot. There are about 28 spots in this lot, but there were other locations to park just before the lot. Ironcreek Campground is also nearby but not a part of the Trailhead. There is a small pit toilet on site but no trash can or water source. The parking lot is roughly at 6,700’, and the trail starts just past the Ironcreek Trail information board.

The trail is very well traveled, there are portions wide enough to walk side-by-side. The first portion of this trail is through the trees and walks along Iron Creek for most of it. Part of the way through this portion, the trail crosses into the Sawtooth Wilderness.

Shortly after that, the Alpine Way Trail merges with IC. Pressing on to the T in the trail will end this section, there is nice sign here giving the next direction. Roughly 370’ gain, 1.79 mile.

The next portion is more of the same, just hiking through trees on a good path yet. There is a small switch back just after the sign, but then its gradual gain walking along the base of one of the mountains. Towards the end of this section, the trail crosses over Iron Creek and past that there is a good scenic spot for a break before the climb. Roughly 460’ gain, 1.25 mile.

Now the fun begins, this is the start of the mountain hiking with switchbacks all the way to the top. The trail continues back and forth through large grown-up trees, up to a trail that turns off and goes to Alpine Lake. But the trail continues on, more switchbacks and there is Alpine Lake as a backdrop and in constant view all the way to the ridge. Roughly 850’ gain, 1.27 mile.

Upon reaching the top, the trail is much easier from here. It is mostly flat with some rocks and trees in the trail but nothing extreme. The trail comes to another T on the northeast side of the lake. Roughly 50’ gain (-25’ loss), .25 mile.

From the T one trail goes north and the other goes south. The south one goes to campsites along the lake. There were some sites that were passed at the small “lake” before Sawtooth Lake, a couple at the trail T, and more just on the other side of the rock peninsula. (I camped at the “beach” area just before the upcoming switchbacks)

Continuing past the peninsula the trail keeps going. It starts with more switchbacks and turns into a narrow hill side trail. It is another .75 mile to the southern end of the lake. There were another 2-3 more campsites here too.

Check out my experience in my Journal (Day 3-4)