This will be my third trip to Idaho within a year, which seems a bit much. The first was for a nieces wedding in Ketchum. The second was for a two-week family vacation, which included staying at the Redfish Lodge and day-hiking in the Sawtooth Wilderness. As I researched various Sawtooth hikes, I wondered why I have never backpacked here? 

I later Google Sawtooth Wilderness Backpacking and discover plenty of options, but one in particular catches my eye: the Sawtooth Loop. I love me a good loop, and anything that sounds like a mini thru-hike is bound to pull me in. I also notice the Sawtooth Loop is referred to by a variety of names: the Sawtooth Wilderness Loop, the Grand Sawtooth Loop, the East Loop, the West Loop, the Central Loop. I quickly realized there is not an official Sawtooth Loop, but rather a collection of trails that can be combined to create a variety of loops. But one route, perhaps because it is highlighted in AllTrails, seems to be the most popular. It starts and ends at Grandjean, and is described as 67.6 miles in length, though clearly by reading peoples comments, many believe it is closer to 70 or 72 miles. The loop can be done in either direction. Starting at Grandjean and going clockwise, you get that first 3,000 foot climb out of the way, and you are rewarded with a spectacular first campsite at Sawtooth Lake. Also, going clockwise you will eventually hike towards the iconic jagged spires of Sawtooth ridge, rather than hike away with the awesome views at your back. The counter argument for counterclockwise is that you start, when your packs are heaviest, with a long gentle up. I opt for the clockwise vistas.

Next, I have to decide actual campsites. How many miles and how much elevation do I want each day? I see aggressive trip plans which race the loop in just 2-3 nights. Given I am taking the entire week off, and that in addition to walking the trails I also want to walk the lake shores with my fishing rod, I opt for a five-night plan. My chosen campsites are, in clockwise order, Sawtooth Lake, Baron Lake, Cramer Lake, Rock Slide Lake, and Taylor Springs. Below, is my actual route map.