My mother calls it Shangri-La. Yet, every map I have found has these pristine, granite peak bound lakes named ‘Saddleback Lakes’. This past weekend was my first venture into this remote area of Idaho’s Sawtooth Mountains and now I understand my mother’s adamant naming of these lakes. Shangri-La.
Our adventure started with a morning boat ride across a glassy Redfish lake to the approach trail. Following Redfish Lake Creek, this trail winds away from structured campgrounds and up into the Sawtooths.
The hike to Shangri-La is mellow by usual hiking distance standards but packs a punch with the last mile of elevation gain. The leaves are beginning to don their reds and yellows, the first sign of a change in season. The second sign being early morning frost and noticeably shorter daylight hours. We gave ourselves a hearty (four) days of camp time because we knew that once we arrived at this paradise, it is going to be hard to leave.
The goal is to climb at the world-famous Elephants Perch. Possibly the best rock climbing in all of Idaho? You’ll have to get a second opinion on that… but, I’m standing by the claim.
The ‘Perch’ is a ~1,000ft wall of perfect granite. Walking around the base of the wall and looking at the pristine lines of steep granite crack climbing had my eyes wide and my mouth gaped. If I ever needed a reason to improve my rock climbing skills, this was it.... I was looking right at it. The harder routes on the perch (5.11ish) are mindbogglingly gorgeous and begging to be climbed. One day— I’ll get there.
For now, we headed to the very popular, moderate, Mountaineers Route. Which, again with a personal claim, is the highest quality moderate rock climbing I have ever experienced.
It’s all there— hand jams, finger cracks, harder moves, scrambling, exposure… everything you could ever want out of a climb. I couldn’t help but smile and giggle the entire way up. From the summit, I looked down at our camp on the lake, and across at the jagged peaks of the Sawtooths as the sun turned everything gold. The sunset brought the rocks to life; crystal pockets glittering with energy and the granite began to match the color of the fall leaves. The less-than-ideal descent through a steep, sandy rock gully didn't even phase my mood— I was simply riding high from the entire experience.
A relaxing day by the side of the lake was a must after our full day on the rock. The water was cold, yet inviting, the trout were biting and the cliffs were asking to be jumped from. The days were oddly warm for the fall and I wasn't complaining. I felt relaxed, checked out of society and enjoyed the simple pleasures.... of simply being in nature.
Completely present.
Shangri-La.
McKenna Peterson
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