Trip Overview
- Duration: 3 days / 2 nights
- Activity: Backpacking
- Total distance: 20 miles
- Elevation gain: ~3,200 ft
- Difficulty: Moderate-Strenuous
- Permit: No overnight permit required. Self-issue trailhead permit (free).
- Best months: July 15–September
- Nearest town: Stanley, ID (45 min from trailhead)
Why the Sawtooths
The Sawtooth Range rises abruptly from the Salmon River valley near Stanley, Idaho — a skyline of granite needles and cirque basins that look more like the Alps than anything in the continental US. The range contains over 300 lakes, 40 peaks over 10,000 feet, and 217,000 acres of designated wilderness. The Alice-Toxaway Loop hits five of those lakes in three days.
Stanley, Idaho (pop. 63) is the base town — one of the most remote incorporated towns in the lower 48. It sits in a valley where winter lows regularly hit -40°F, but July and August are stunning. The town has a gas station, a few restaurants, a gear shop, and the Sawtooth Hotel bar.
Getting There
From Stanley, drive south on Highway 75 to the Petit Lake Trailhead (signed, paved road). The trailhead sits at 7,000 feet with views of the Sawtooth ridgeline. From Boise, the drive is approximately 2.5 hours via Highway 21 (Ponderosa Pine Scenic Byway) — itself worth the trip.
Day 1 — Petit Lake to Toxaway Lake (9 miles, 2,100 ft gain)
From the trailhead, the trail climbs steeply through lodgepole pine and subalpine fir, crossing a creek at mile 2 before emerging above treeline into a granite basin. Farley Lake (mile 3.5) is the first stop — a clear lake against a cirque wall with a good lunch spot. Continue climbing to the Toxaway-Alice Divide (9,580 ft) for the first panoramic Sawtooth view.
Descend to Toxaway Lake (8,952 ft, mile 9) — the largest lake on the loop, set in a wide granite basin with established campsites on the north and east shores. Camp here. Sunsets on Toxaway hit the granite above the lake and turn it orange.
Day 2 — Toxaway to Alice Lake via Snowyside Pass (6 miles, 1,100 ft gain)
The loop climbs from Toxaway over Snowyside Pass (10,117 ft) — the high point and best panoramic view of the trip. On a clear day, you can see across to the White Cloud Peaks and south toward the Smoky Mountains. The pass carries snow into late July most years.
Descend to Twin Lakes (twin cirque lakes at 9,400 ft) for a lunch break, then continue to Alice Lake (8,600 ft, the most popular and scenic camp on the loop). Alice is large, clear, and surrounded on three sides by near-vertical granite walls. Camp on the west or north shore.
r/backpacking▲ 1.8k upvotes"Alice Lake is in my top 3 campsites ever. Nothing feels as remote or as dramatic as waking up surrounded by those walls."
Day 3 — Alice Lake to Trailhead (5 miles, descent)
The return from Alice Lake descends the outlet creek drainage through forest back to Petit Lake and the trailhead. Allow 3 hours at a relaxed pace. The drive back to Stanley passes the Sawtooth Fish Hatchery — worth a stop to see chinook salmon restoration in action.
Permit & Regulations
No quota or overnight permit. Self-issue a free Sawtooth National Recreation Area permit at the trailhead kiosk. Campfires are prohibited above 8,000 feet in the Sawtooth Wilderness (most of this loop) — bring a stove. Camp 200 feet from water and trails. Pack out all waste.
Gear Notes
- Stove is required (no campfires at elevation)
- Water filter — excellent water from every lake and creek
- Microspikes for Snowyside Pass before late July
- Bear canister or hang recommended (black bears present, no grizzlies)
- Sun protection — granite at altitude reflects UV
