Grand Sawtooths Loop
The Grand Sawtooths Loop is the premier hiking trail through the jagged Sawtooth Range — known for its abundant 10,000-foot peaks (more than 50) and glacier-spawned lakes (more than 100). With the exception of the area around Sawtooth Lake, the trail sees few hikers, making it a solid choice for those seeking solitude.
“This is one of my hiking partner’s favorites,” says Whitney LaRuffa, President of the American Long Distance Hiking Association West. “It’s stunningly beautiful with a lot of high alpine areas, and it’s more remote than the other loop hikes.” She was on the trail for a week last August and saw just one other hiker.
Visitors can camp anywhere in the Sawtooth Wilderness with a permit.
Miles: 63
Time to Complete: 5-9 days
Terrain: Moderate
Best Segment You Can Do In a Day: Sawtooth Lake (10 miles out-and-back), starts at the Iron Creek Trailhead and follows a stream-side trail through dense forest before breaking out into a mountain-view meadow and then switch-backing up to Alpine Lake, followed by Sawtooth Lake. This is also a good one to break up with an overnight on the shores of tranquil Sawtooth Lake.
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