Sawtooth Mountain Guides
PO Box 18
Stanley, ID 83278
Phone: 208-774-3324 Fax: 208-774-3728
The most efficient way to access good climbing and trekking in the Sawtooth Wilderness is by taking the scenic shuttle boat across Redfish Lake. This cuts off about 5 miles of hiking and the shuttle takes off from Redfish Lake Lodge.
If coming from Stanley the turn will be a little over 3 miles South of town on US-75. You will pass the turns for the Stanley Ranger Station (right) and Sunny Gulch camping (left). The turn is just after Sunny Gulch and will be on the right. Once off US-75 follow signs to Redfish Lake Lodge.
From Ketchum take US-75 North over Galena pass (about 55 miles) and a little over 3 miles before Stanley the turn will be on your left (if you get to Sunny Gulch camping you've gone to far). Once off US-75 follow signs to the Lodge.
The skin track to the Williams peak yurt is located next to the Stanley Ranger Station. People staying at the yurt should park at the ranger station (left side of lot) and we typically meet a group here.
The Ranger Station is located about 3 miles S. of Stanley. If coming from Stanley (South on 75) the turn will be on your right and there is a sign for the turn. If coming from Ketchum (North on 75 over Galena Pass) the turn is on the left and is just around the corner from the Redfish Lake turnout (left) and Sunny Gulch camping (right). There is a sign for the Station if coming from this direction as well.
From Sun Valley/Ketchum: Take Highway 75 (main street) to Sun Valley Road. Turn northeast onto Sun Valley Road. This road turns into Trail Creek Road (closed in winter). Follow this road to Highway 93. Turn left (north) on Highway 93. Follow this road 4.5 miles to the Borah Peak Access Road on right (east). Follow the Borah Peak Access Road 3 miles to the trailhead.
From Mackay: Take US Highway 93 20 miles north of Mackay to the Borah Peak Access Road. Follow the Borah Peak Access Road 3 miles to the trailhead.
From Challis: Take Us Highway 93 south of Challis to the Borah Peak Access Road. Follow the Borah Peak Access Road 3 miles to the trailhead.
Take exit # 208 and stay right off the ramp, merging onto Overland/Idaho 27. Exit 208 has all the fast food joints, including McDonalds, which has a very prominent sign. Stay on Overland/Idaho 27, cross the Snake River and proceed through downtown Burley (lots of stop lights) and continue on to Oakley (about 25 miles) At the Stop sign in Oakley, take a left (follow signs to City of Rocks). Continue about 1 mile to a "Y" intersection. Stay right, following signs for City of Rocks. After a couple of miles the road turns to dirt. Continue for about 10 miles, and look for signs to City of Rocks and a prominent dirt road on the left. There is a cattle guard immediately after you take the left. This dirt road climbs into the "City." After a couple of miles you'll come to a high pass and a cattle guard. Continue downhill for another couple of miles and look for the Bath Rock parking area on your left. There is a bulletin board, a kiosk, and bathrooms, which are clearly visible from the main road. .
If highway 21 is open (an issue in Winter) then it is by far the fastest way. Basically get on 21 right in Boise and stay on until you arrive in Stanley.
Time: 2.5 - 3 hours
If highway 21 is not open then the other option is to drive through Mountain Home and Ketchum. From Boise take Interstate 84 E to Mountain Home. Take exit 141 to Highway 26 (to Gooding/Hagerman). Stay going East on 20 until intersection with Highway 75. Take left (north) on 75 and this brings you through Hailey, Ketchum and then to Stanley.
Time: 4 - 4.5 hours
Take Interstate 15 North and merge onto I-84 West. You will enter Idaho not long after. Stay on I-84 until you get to exit 173 to Sun Valley/Twin Falls. This is Highway 93 so take a right and go North. In Shoshone keep going North on Highway 75. This will bring you through Hailey, Ketchum and then over Galena Pass to Stanley.
Time: 5 - 5.5 hours.
Take Highway 93 South going over Lost River Pass and into Idaho. Pass through Salmon and continue to Challis where you pick up highway 75 (right). US-75 follows the Salmon River into Stanley.
Time: 4.75 - 5 hours.