Saddleback Lakes and Baron Lakes Trail
This hike to Saddleback Lakes and the Baron Lakes in the Sawtooth National Forest in Lowman, Idaho is a strenuous 25.6 mile one-way hike that starts at the Redfish Lake Lodge and runs to Baron and Saddleback Lakes.The hike starts at the trailhead for Trail 186 and then turns onto Trail 101 about 0.3 miles in. Trail 101 will run along Redfish Lake for 5 miles and will pass various trails along the way - continue following signs for 101. At mile 10 you'll reach Alpine Lake which sits in a valley between multiple peaks. The trail will then run past Bead Lakes and then eventually pass Upper Baron Lake and Baron Lake between mile 12 and 13. After the Baron Lakes, the trail follows Baron Creek for a few more miles. This GPS track turns around along Baron Creek 15 miles into the hike. From here, head back down for Saddleback Lakes.
Saddleback Lakes Trail: To reach Saddleback Lakes without going to Baron Lakes and Alpine Lake first, this is a much shorter trip, but you miss out on views. You can find the trailhead for Saddleback Lakes at about mile 6.85 into the hike from the parking lot; however, if you continue back down from Baron Creek (the 15 mile turn-around point here), you'll hike for almost exactly 9 miles to reach the trailhead for the Saddleback Lakes Trail. The trail's grade up to Saddleback Lakes is very steep as you'll climb over 1300 feet in elevation gain in just 1.6 miles. Once at Saddleback Lakes, you get amazing views of the lakes that sit within the valley high up in the mountains. Redfish Point, Goat Perch, and Eagle Perch, the mountain peaks that outline Saddleback Lakes, tower high above the lakes.
