Elk Lake (Sawtooth Wilderness)

Elk Lake is an alpine lake in Boise County, Idaho, United States, located in the Sawtooth Mountains in the Sawtooth National Recreation Area. The lake is approximately 15 miles (24 km) southwest of Stanley and 9.5 miles (15.3 km) southeast of Grandjean. Located in the remote central Sawtooth Wilderness, Elk Lake is most easily reached from the Grandjean trailhead to the northwest and downstream along the South Fork of the Payette River.[1]

Elk Lake
Location of Elk Lake in Idaho, USA.
Location of Elk Lake in Idaho, USA.
Elk Lake
Location of Elk Lake in Idaho, USA.
Location of Elk Lake in Idaho, USA.
Elk Lake
LocationBoise County, Idaho
Coordinates44°01′29″N 115°04′18″W / 44.024856°N 115.071592°W / 44.024856; -115.071592
Primary inflowsSouth Fork Payette River
Primary outflowsSouth Fork Payette River
Basin countriesUnited States
Max. length0.40 mi (0.64 km)
Max. width0.16 mi (0.26 km)
Surface elevation6,650 ft (2,030 m)

Elk Lake is a shallow non-glacial lake (in contrast to almost all other lakes in the Sawtooths) that is largely wetlands due to sedimentation. There are several glacial lakes upstream of Elk Lake, including Vernon Lake, Edna Lake, Ardeth Lake, and Virginia Lake.

Edna Lake is in the Sawtooth Wilderness and wilderness permit can be obtained at trailheads.

References edit

  1. ^ Sawtooth National Forest. “Sawtooth National Forest” [map].1:126,720, 1”=2 miles. Twin Falls, Idaho: Sawtooth National Forest, United States Forest Service, 1998.

See also edit