Friday, July 2, 2004

Sawtooths are primo

Fourth of July kicks off forest’s ‘very busy season’

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By GREG STAHL
Express Staff Writer

If you’re heading to the high country of the Sawtooth Mountains this Fourth of July weekend, you’d better be prepared for snow, frozen lakes and some breathtaking scenery.

"It’s about as beautiful as you’ll see the Sawtooth Wilderness," said Ed Cannady, a backcountry ranger for the Sawtooth National Recreation Area. "The wildflowers are going crazy. There’s still a lot of snow on the peaks. It’s just fabulously beautiful up there."

The highest lakes, those above 9,000 feet, are still frozen, however. Mountain passes are covered with snow, but passable by careful hikers.

"Hikers who cross them need to be experienced at crossing snow fields," Cannady said. "That probably means an ice axe or some other means of securing yourself to the slope should you fall."

Cannady said the streams are all up, and backpackers should be prepared to cross high, swift water. The mosquitoes are healthy, and afternoon thunderstorms are prevalent.

High elevation hikers and climbers should travel early and look for cover during the afternoon storms, Cannady said.

On the valley floor in the SNRA, all campground are open, but campsites at Redfish and Alturas lakes are completely reserved for the Fourth of July holiday weekend, said Sawtooth National Forest spokesman Ed Waldapfel.

Campsites at other SNRA campgrounds are still available.

On the Ketchum Ranger District, muddy conditions persist on some trails, and forest visitors are asked to avoid trampling the wet areas to prevent damage to the trail surface, Waldapfel said.

According to Cannady, the holiday weekend kicks off the forest’s "very high use season."

But he stressed that the Sawtooth Mountains are radiant this spring:

"It is uncommonly beautiful right now. Green. The flowers are flourishing right. If you ever want to see the Sawtooths in all their glory, right now is the time to do it."

The Idaho Mountain Express is distributed free to residents and guests throughout the Sun Valley, Idaho resort area community. Subscribers to the Idaho Mountain Express will read these stories and others in this week's issue.