Autumn in Idaho, 9.22.19 - 9.28.19, Part 3 of 4
After having my mind completely blown watching the sunrise I was back at our camp by 8:30AM. We were done with the long days of driving (at least until we headed home) so we took the day at a leisurely pace. I think we got out of camp around ten-ish, drove back through Stanley, took 75 back towards Sun Valley just a few miles to the turnoff to Redfish Lake. My research had come up with an easy hike to good views which was just what we were looking for. First we checked out the Redfish Lake Lodge and the lake itself. Really pretty lake with peaks rising out of the far end of the lake. A ferry will take you (for a fee) to the other end of the lake to shave additional miles off several good day hikes. I had my eye on a hike along Fishhook Creek to the Sawtooth Wilderness boundary. There it was supposed to open up into a big meadow with good views of the surrounding Sawtooth Mountains. While Bridgit and Dana opted to enjoy the beach near the lodge, Bob and I started up the Redfish Trail. There was only a gentle incline and it ran through some lovely stands of aspens. I hadn’t gotten to shoot any fall foliage yet so I was excited to be seeing some good aspens so close to the trailhead.
Trail through the aspens
The trail mostly ran along Fishhook Creek. The grasses and plants all along the way were on display with bright reds, yellows, golds, and every shade of brown.
Fishhook Creek
About a half mile in we came to a side trail that headed up a hill towards a huge aspen grove. I went up just a little ways to see what I could see and got a tremendous view of the peaks above where we were headed. I made a mental note to take some extra time on the way back to wander around higher up the hill closer to the aspens.
Peek at what lies ahead
After 2.2 miles we came to a very large meadow where Fishhook Creek meanders through. Here the views opened up and towering above the pristine meadows were the imposing rock towers of the Sawtooth Range. It was everything I had imagined and more.
Sawtooth spectacle
At the boundary of the Sawtooth Wilderness
Fishhook Creek and the Sawtooth Wilderness
Happy in Idaho
On the way back down the trail I took a detour to head up the trail that goes to Marshall Lake. As soon as I left Fishhook Creek and climbed a few feet the Sawtooths and the big aspen groves were all in full view. I hiked up higher to get right into the grove and then just wandered around for a bit taking photos. Everything was just beautiful.
Aspens
Autumn in the Sawtooths
Reminds me of True Grit
More mountain geek beta
Part 4 will wrap things up...