{"id":873,"date":"2021-08-02T01:19:46","date_gmt":"2021-08-02T01:19:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/adventure.idahooutdoor.net\/?page_id=873"},"modified":"2025-07-05T19:18:38","modified_gmt":"2025-07-05T19:18:38","slug":"4th-july-basin","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/adventure.idahooutdoor.net\/index.php\/4th-july-basin\/","title":{"rendered":"4th July Basin"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Born Lakes \u2013 White Cloud Wilderness, Idaho<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

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<\/strong>, reached by driving 47.5 miles north from Ketchum on Highway 75<\/strong>, then turning right onto Fourth of July Creek Road<\/strong> and continuing 9.5 miles<\/strong>. The road is passable for passenger vehicles and horse trailers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fishing & Ecology<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Idaho Department of Fish and Game first stocked the lakes in the late 1960s and early 1970s with rainbow and cutthroat trout<\/strong>. However, in my visits (1980, 1996, 2000, and 2011), I\u2019ve only caught cutthroat trout<\/strong>\u2014no rainbows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  • Lakes 1, 2, and 3<\/strong>: Support limited natural reproduction due to adequate tributary flows\u2014rare for alpine lakes.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Lake 2<\/strong>: A small pond with abundant fish and excellent fishing in the connecting stream.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Lake 4<\/strong>: Holds fewer fish and shows little evidence of reproduction.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Uppermost lake<\/strong>: Fishless.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    Because there has been no recent stocking<\/strong>, and reproduction is limited, catch-and-release is strongly encouraged<\/strong>. Use barbless hooks<\/strong> and try small black and green midge patterns (sizes 18\u201320)<\/strong> for best results.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Trail Conditions & Access<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

    The hike to Born Lakes is strenuous<\/strong>, with significant elevation changes, but the trail is well-marked. Snow lingers into mid-July<\/strong> on north-facing slopes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    • Mountain bikes<\/strong> 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<\/strong>\u2014and I question the legality of bikes in the basin beyond that point.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Climbing opportunities<\/strong> abound, with Patterson, Lonesome, and D.O. Lee Peaks<\/strong> accessible from the basin.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Phyllis Lake<\/strong> offers a wheelchair-accessible trail<\/strong>, though the road to its trailhead requires a rugged 4WD vehicle<\/strong>. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • An interactive map of the area is available via Sun Valley Adventures and includes a Google Drive preview of the trail system.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

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

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