SAWTOOTH MOUNTAINS COLLECTION

Why We Love the Sawtooth Mountains

It’s not often we are truly inspired by a place. The Sawtooth Mountains in Idaho is one of those places. Part of the Rocky Mountains in central Idaho reaching 10,751 feet at the summit of Thompson Peak. With over 400 natural glacial lakes, the Sawtooth National Recreation Area is 756 thousand acres of scenic mountain country and includes over 700 miles of trails, 40 peaks rising over 10,000 feet and more than 300 high mountain lakes that add to the spectacular scenery and vistas.

Skip the commentary and show me the Sawtooth Collection

Where in the World are the Sawtooth Mountains?

How to get there:

Heading to Redfish Lake To get there from Boise, take Idaho 21 North for 133 miles, and run right into Redfish Lake Rd. from there its 3 min to the lodge.

Heading to Sun Valley / Ketchum To get there from Boise, take I-84 East 41 mi. to Exit 95 towards Fairfield, turn left on US-20 E for 82 mi., turn left again on State Hwy 75 N. for 26 mi.

Gorgeous Relief Map of Idaho by Vagabond Art

The Path Less Traveled 

If you're feeling adventurous or you "Must Have" the more scenic route, take Hwy 21 to Stanley and Hwy 75 into Sun Valley the back way. It will add an hour to your trip, but it will be a glorious hour of the most pristine wilderness you have ever seen.

Take the grey line. Trust me. 

A Gallery of Beautiful Sawtooth Range Photography

These are some of the most gorgeous images of the Sawtooths I could find.  

Sawtooth Mountains: The Hidden Rockies

Sunset Magazine, Rachel Levin, May 21, 2010

The Idaho Sawtooths are as pretty as any national park—minus the crowds. Here's where to go and what to do. 

I am in Lemonade Heaven. Rocking in a wooden chair, on a wide front porch lit by the late-afternoon sun, pointed at a picture-perfect row of 10,000-foot granite peaks.

The Sawtooth's are Still Unspoiled

The Sawtooths are one of the few places in the US you can really call "deep in the back-country". Camping, hiking, whitewater rafting, skiing, photography or drinking by the fire, all without hordes of people, this is the place.  

Not far from glittering Sun Valley, and not surprisingly, this striking mountain landscape was a favorite playground of Ernest Hemingway, who is buried in the Ketchum area. I don’t know how Hemingway felt, but this is one of the few places in the world that feels spiritual to me. I spent countless Christmas’s in Sun Valley and summers at Redfish Lake Lodge not far from the Sawtooth’s signature Thompson Peak.

This is not Vail or Aspen, these places are still unspoiled. I know some of the Hollywood elite make their home in Sun Valley, but Stanley, Redfish Lake and even Ketchum are still accessible, affordable, and reasonably priced. Here are some of our favorites. 

Sawtooth Hotel in Stanley

Redfish Lake Lodge

 Redwood Cabins

 Smiley Creek Lodge

A Special Shout Out to Redfish Lake Lodge

In 1929, Robert Limbert created the Redfish Lake Lodge on 16 acres of U.S. Forest Service permitted land on the north shore of this five-mile-long glacial lake in the lap of the Sawtooth Mountains.

My memories at Redfish Lake include renting a canoe at the Lodge for $10 and spending an entire summer afternoon fishing for trout, or the brown bear standing between me and breakfast one morning; he was more concerned with the contents of a garbage can, but still.

My idea of autumn lakeside fun is a warm cabin, a little fishing and some Whiskey from a handmade flask. Preferably on the front porch of Redfish Lake Lodge.

The front porch at Redfish Lake Lodge is arguably my favorite place in the world.

If You're Going Deep, You Need the Sawtooth Mountain Guides 

Sawtooth Mountain Guides are your experts for climbing, hiking, backcountry skiing, and avalanche education near Stanley, Sun Valley, and Boise. Come experience the scenic Sawtooths and let us lead you on the perfect mountain adventure!

It's Not All Just Backcountry

It's still NOT Vail or Aspen, but Sun Valley is still pretty fancy. Especially at the Lodge proper. Situated at the base of Bald Mountain, the Sun Valley Lodge is worth a visit. Even if you don't plan on spending five bills per night, walk the corridors - which are steeped in history, and have at least one cocktail at the bar. Try not to bump into the ghost of Earnest Hemmingway.  

Sun Valley Lodge in the Heart of the Sawtooth Mountains 

Earthquakes, Yes, Earthquakes in the Sawtooths

The Sawtooth Wilderness is in Central Idaho on the Western Edge of a massive geologically active area extending East into Montana and Wyoming, and not coincidentally home to Yellowstone Park.

 The Sawtooth fault, which runs along the east side of the Sawtooth Mountain range, is the largest and best known fault in the region. However, the Sawtooth fault is still not well understood. According to the Idaho Geologic Survey, we limited knowledge of the long-term slip rate and the timing of past earthquakes.

A Collection of Sawtooth Mountains Themed Lifestyle Products, Ready for Your Next Adventure 

We honor our Idaho history and roots with these one of a kind Sawtooth Mountains designed wooden lifestyle products including phone cases, flasks, wallets, coasters, journals, and more.

You don't have to travel to the Sawtooths to enjoy every one of these, but it couldn't hurt.

Here's a collection of cool Sawtooth inspired products. Perfect for your trip, or a gift for the most outdoorsy person you know.