Sawtooth Mountains

The range holds over fifty peaks above three thousand metres in a comparatively small area, and the sawtooth profile comes from glacial cirques cutting into the ridge from both sides until only a thin serrated crest remained. The Sawtooth Wilderness covers around 87,000 hectares with more than three hundred alpine lakes and no roads or mechanised travel. Redfish Lake at the eastern foot is named for the sockeye salmon that once returned to it in enormous numbers; after eight dams went in on the Snake and Columbia the run collapsed, and in 1992 a single male returned - called Lonesome Larry - which forced the recovery programme that continues. Stanley regularly records the lowest overnight temperature in the lower forty-eight.

What you actually see

• Over fifty peaks above three thousand metres - a serrated glacial crest.
• More than three hundred alpine lakes - in a roadless wilderness.
• Redfish Lake - named for a sockeye run that nearly vanished.
• Extreme valley cold - Stanley among the coldest places in the country.

When to go

July to September; snow lingers into July at altitude. Several days.

Honest expectations

The season is short and snow blocks high passes into midsummer. Nights are freezing even in July. Stanley is tiny with very limited services. Wildfire smoke affects some late summers.

Nearby

Sun Valley is south over Galena Summit; the Salmon River runs north.