After three years in Idaho and many before that traveling with my family I finally made it up to Stanley, ID. I spent three days and two night with my friend Anabel roughing it out in this majestic place. We were lucky enough to grab a stop at Lake View Campground right next to Stanley Lake. I think we got pretty lucky cause not only were our neighbors great (let us barrow their kayaks), but a spot never opened up in our site the whole time we were their.
The first day we visited Red Fish Lake and after a toasty nap we found a road that takes you up and over the hills adjacent to the Sawtooth that offered probably some of the best views in the valley. As the sun went down we saw Mars pop out and the milky way go vertical over the mountains as meteors streaked the sky.
After a late start (wanted to sleep more when it was still cool) we decided that a hike to one of the many lake in the area. After very little planning we settled on the beginner rated hike to Sawtooth lake. It turned out it was much hotter and longer then we both wanted but the cool lake at the top made it well worth it. After getting down and grabbing cold drinks and ice for the cooler we retreated to the side of the lake and recuperated. We went to bed early to catch the sun rise from the mountain overlooked we found previously and quickly packed up camp to end the trip in a hot springs. Definitely a trip to remember.