Toxaway Lake Drainage – A Crown Jewel of the Sawtooths
The Toxaway Lake Drainage is one of the most beautiful and diverse alpine valleys in Idaho. With opportunities for hiking, mountain biking, fishing, climbing, and skiing, it offers something for nearly every kind of adventurer. Towering granite peaks, cascading waterfalls, and a chain of alpine lakes make this a truly spectacular destination.
Trailhead Access
There are three trailheads that access the drainage:
- Pettit Lake Trailhead: From Ketchum, drive north on Highway 75 over Galena Summit. Turn left at the Pettit Lake sign and continue to the backpacker’s parking lot. This is the main access point for the Alice-Toxaway Loop.
- Yellow Belly Lake Trailhead: Turn right at the Tin Cup Transfer Camp sign and drive ~1.5 miles to the first Yellow Belly trailhead. The road beyond this point is extremely rough, with 2-foot rocks and steep grades. Even 4WD vehicles may struggle.
- Best strategy: Park at the first trailhead and bike or hike the remaining road to the secondary trailhead.
Mountain Biking
- Bikes are allowed up to the Wilderness Boundary, just past the permit box.
- Pettit Lake side: Steeper and more difficult.
- Yellow Belly side: More gradual, though the road is rough. The foot trail to the boundary is smoother and easier to ride than the road itself.
Hiking & Water Crossings
- Expect multiple stream crossings, many of which are bridge-less and log-less—especially early season (May–July).
- Bring wading gear if you plan to stay on the main trail.
- A short, 1-mile hike to Yellow Belly Lake offers a gentler option for casual hikers.
Fishing Overview
- Toxaway, Edith, and Farley Lakes: Best fished in the early morning and evening for elusive brook trout.
- Bowknot Lake and the unnamed lower lake: Fishable during the day, especially below waterfalls.
- Yellow Belly & McDonald Lakes: Marginal cutthroat fishing.
- Tributaries between Farley and McDonald Lakes: Offer better success.
- McDonald Lake #2 & Parks Peak Lake #1: Hold a few cutthroats, but no natural reproduction—catch and release is essential to preserve these small, stocked populations.
Recommended Flies:
- Brookies: Small midge and midge pupa patterns
- Streams: Caddis, stonefly, streamers, woolly worms
Climbing & Skiing
- Climbing: Access to Parks Peak, Snowyside Peak, and several unnamed summits.
- Skiing:
- Snowyside Peak: Offers spectacular descents into Toxaway Lake and the southwest saddle.
- Sandhill Pass: Provides a fun ski route into Edith Lake.
🌊 Waterfalls & Scenery
- Early season runoff creates dramatic waterfalls from both Toxaway and Edith Lakes.
- These aquatic vistas are especially striking in late spring and early summer.
Pettit Lake Trailhead Directions
Yellow Belly Lake Trailhead Directions
