{"id":781,"date":"2021-07-29T21:20:36","date_gmt":"2021-07-29T21:20:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/adventure.idahooutdoor.net\/?page_id=781"},"modified":"2025-07-05T20:25:00","modified_gmt":"2025-07-05T20:25:00","slug":"toxaway-lake","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/adventure.idahooutdoor.net\/index.php\/toxaway-lake\/","title":{"rendered":"Toxaway Lake"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Toxaway Lake Drainage \u2013 A Crown Jewel of the Sawtooths<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The Toxaway Lake Drainage<\/strong> is one of the most beautiful and diverse alpine valleys in Idaho. With opportunities for hiking, mountain biking, fishing, climbing, and skiing<\/strong>, 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trailhead Access<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

There are three trailheads<\/strong> that access the drainage:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  • Pettit Lake Trailhead<\/strong>: From Ketchum, drive north on Highway 75 over Galena Summit<\/strong>. Turn left at the Pettit Lake<\/strong> sign and continue to the backpacker\u2019s parking lot<\/strong>. This is the main access point for the Alice-Toxaway Loop<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Yellow Belly Lake Trailhead<\/strong>: Turn right at the Tin Cup Transfer Camp<\/strong> sign and drive ~1.5 miles to the first Yellow Belly trailhead<\/strong>. The road beyond this point is extremely rough<\/strong>, with 2-foot rocks and steep grades<\/strong>. Even 4WD vehicles may struggle.\n
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    • Best strategy: Park at the first trailhead and bike or hike<\/strong> the remaining road to the secondary trailhead.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

      Mountain Biking<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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      • Bikes are allowed up to the Wilderness Boundary<\/strong>, just past the permit box.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Pettit Lake side<\/strong>: Steeper and more difficult.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Yellow Belly side<\/strong>: More gradual, though the road is rough. The foot trail<\/strong> to the boundary is smoother and easier to ride than the road itself.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

        Hiking & Water Crossings<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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        • Expect multiple stream crossings<\/strong>, many of which are bridge-less and log-less<\/strong>\u2014especially early season (May\u2013July).<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • Bring wading gear<\/strong> if you plan to stay on the main trail.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • A short, 1-mile hike to Yellow Belly Lake<\/strong> offers a gentler option for casual hikers.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

          Fishing Overview<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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          • Toxaway, Edith, and Farley Lakes<\/strong>: Best fished in the early morning and evening<\/strong> for elusive brook trout<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
          • Bowknot Lake<\/strong> and the unnamed lower lake<\/strong>: Fishable during the day, especially below waterfalls<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
          • Yellow Belly & McDonald Lakes<\/strong>: Marginal cutthroat fishing.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
          • Tributaries between Farley and McDonald Lakes<\/strong>: Offer better success.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
          • McDonald Lake #2 & Parks Peak Lake #1<\/strong>: Hold a few cutthroats, but no natural reproduction<\/strong>\u2014catch and release is essential to preserve these small, stocked populations.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

            Recommended Flies:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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            • Brookies<\/em>: Small midge and midge pupa patterns<\/li>\n\n\n\n
            • Streams<\/em>: Caddis, stonefly, streamers, woolly worms<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

              Climbing & Skiing<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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              • Climbing<\/strong>: Access to Parks Peak<\/strong>, Snowyside Peak<\/strong>, and several unnamed summits<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
              • Skiing<\/strong>:\n
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                • Snowyside Peak<\/strong>: Offers spectacular descents into Toxaway Lake<\/strong> and the southwest saddle<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                • Sandhill Pass<\/strong>: Provides a fun ski route into Edith Lake<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

                  \ud83c\udf0a Waterfalls & Scenery<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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                  • Early season runoff creates dramatic waterfalls<\/strong> from both Toxaway<\/strong> and Edith Lakes<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                  • These aquatic vistas are especially striking in late spring and early summer.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n
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                    Map Key<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

                    Interactive Map<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

                    Pettit Lake Trailhead Directions<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

                    Yellow Belly Lake Trailhead Directions<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n