| Hiking, camping and sightseeing in Idaho's White Cloud | | | | the trailhead near Blackman Peak. This area suffered |
| Peaks is a pleasant way to spend a day or more in | | | | a severe fire in September 2005, but has recovered |
| the state's central recreation area. When this unique | | | | fairly well. |
| part of Idaho is on your family vacation itinerary, | | | | The road is a washboard, but careful travel in a |
| include this location for a treat. | | | | high-centered, 2-wheel drive vehicle equipped with |
| Traveling northwest between the towns of Ketchum | | | | backcountry tires will suffice. Four-wheel drive is best. |
| and Stanley, Idaho State Route 75 borders the | | | | From the trailhead, a series of day hikes and longer |
| Sawtooth National Forest to the west and the | | | | excursions can be undertaken. A popular day hike for |
| Salmon-Challis National Forest to the east. To get | | | | families and beginners is the mile and one-half trek |
| your bearings, stop by the Sawtooth National | | | | into Fourth of July Lake. |
| Recreation Area office at 5 North Canyon Road in | | | | Campsites are available on each side of the |
| Ketchum and pick up a map or two. A downloadable | | | | picturesque lake or in more secluded areas nearby. |
| map and information can be found on the website | | | | The trout in Fourth of July Lake tend to cruise near |
| for the Boulder-White Clouds Council at | | | | the shore, if fishing is on your mind. Head up the inlet |
| wildwhiteclouds.org/theplace1.html | | | | of the lake to get a look at deer that usually |
| Along this route, scores of creeks born in the | | | | congregate in the large meadow, and keep an eye |
| surrounding mountain ranges add to the flow of the | | | | out for mountain goats on close-by Patterson Peak. |
| mighty Salmon River, the River of No Return. The | | | | This area is covered with mountain heather and other |
| mountain pass at over 8,700-foot Galena Summit has | | | | wildflowers in the summer months. |
| an overlook with parking and restrooms. You will | | | | You can hike from this point into other areas dotted |
| want to stop to stretch your legs and to admire the | | | | with alpine lakes and spectacular mountain vistas. |
| incredible view across the vast valley to the rugged, | | | | Washington Lake is just over a mile from Fourth of |
| snow-crowned peaks of the Sawtooth Mountains. | | | | July Lake. The trail climbs 200 feet or so and then |
| Moving on, you will travel down the mountain | | | | drops a like amount down to the lake. Fishing is easier |
| highway into the beauty of the Sawtooth Valley | | | | and often good at Washington Lake. Try to find |
| between the small towns of Smiley Creek and | | | | camping in a location other than the most popular |
| Obsidian. Just before Obsidian, keep an eye out for | | | | sites close to the lake outlet. |
| Fourth of July Road heading east of the highway | | | | There are well over 100 alpine lakes scattered |
| toward the ghostly White Cloud Peaks. Appropriately, | | | | throughout the White Cloud Peaks location. Many still |
| the road follows Fourth of July Creek for 10 miles to | | | | lack names. |