Born Lakes – White Cloud Wilderness, Idaho
Born Lakes lie nestled in a stunning cirque basin within the White Cloud Wilderness, surrounded by some of the highest peaks in the range. Access begins at the Fourth of July Lake Trailhead, reached by driving 47.5 miles north from Ketchum on Highway 75, then turning right onto Fourth of July Creek Road and continuing 9.5 miles. The road is passable for passenger vehicles and horse trailers.
Fishing & Ecology
The Idaho Department of Fish and Game first stocked the lakes in the late 1960s and early 1970s with rainbow and cutthroat trout. However, in my visits (1980, 1996, 2000, and 2011), I’ve only caught cutthroat trout—no rainbows.
- Lakes 1, 2, and 3: Support limited natural reproduction due to adequate tributary flows—rare for alpine lakes.
- Lake 2: A small pond with abundant fish and excellent fishing in the connecting stream.
- Lake 4: Holds fewer fish and shows little evidence of reproduction.
- Uppermost lake: Fishless.
Because there has been no recent stocking, and reproduction is limited, catch-and-release is strongly encouraged. Use barbless hooks and try small black and green midge patterns (sizes 18–20) for best results.
Trail Conditions & Access
The hike to Born Lakes is strenuous, with significant elevation changes, but the trail is well-marked. Snow lingers into mid-July on north-facing slopes.
- Mountain bikes are allowed up to Fourth of July Lake, but the ride is steep and demanding. In 2011, I saw bikers at the first Born Lake, though they had to carry their bikes most of the way—and I question the legality of bikes in the basin beyond that point.
- Climbing opportunities abound, with Patterson, Lonesome, and D.O. Lee Peaks accessible from the basin.
- Phyllis Lake offers a wheelchair-accessible trail, though the road to its trailhead requires a rugged 4WD vehicle.
- An interactive map of the area is available via Sun Valley Adventures and includes a Google Drive preview of the trail system.
