What to See in Sawtooth National Forest - Top Sights and Attractions

Peak in Idaho. Hyndman Peak, at an elevation of 12,012 feet above sea level, is the ninth highest peak in Idaho and the highest point in the Pioneer Mountains, Sawtooth National Forest, and Blaine County. Hyndman Peak is located on the border of Custer and Blaine counties. The towns of Hailey, Ketchum, and Sun Valley are west of the peak.

The mountain was named after Major William Hyndman, an early settler, and businessperson in the local mining industry. The first recorded ascent of Hyndman Peak was made in 1889 by W. T. Griswold and E. T. Perkins. The primary route to the summit is class 2, which along with its proximity to Sun Valley makes it a popular destination.

The trailhead to hike to Hyndman Peak is located at the end of Sawtooth National Forest road 203 along Hyndman Creek. The primary route is approximately six miles (10 km) one way from the trailhead and traverses through Hyndman Basin, which is bordered by Hyndman, Old Hyndman, and Cobb Peaks. The route follows an unmaintained trail and ascends the Hyndman-Old Hyndman saddle before reaching the summit.^[1]

Peak in Idaho. Iron Mountain, at 9,694 feet high is one of the peaks of the Soldier Mountains of Idaho. Iron Mountain is located at the west end of the range northwest of Fairfield in Camas County and Sawtooth National Forest.

While only a class 2 ascent, the primary route up Iron Mountain is 11 miles (18 km) one way. The primary trail to the summit is open to use by two wheel motorized off-road vehicles. An old Forest Service fire lookout can be found on the summit.

The northern slopes of Iron Mountain are drained by Deadwood Creek, a tributary of the South Fork Boise River. Heart Lake is just north-northeast of Iron Mountain while Upper Deadwood Lake is southeast of the peak. Iron Mountain is northwest of Boardman Peak.^[4]

Peak in Idaho. Smoky Dome, at 10,095 feet above sea level is the highest peak in the Soldier Mountains of Idaho. Smoky Dome is located northwest of Fairfield in Camas County and Sawtooth National Forest.

Smoky Dome rises about 5,000 feet (1,500 m) over the Camas Prairie and is the 21st most prominent peak in Idaho. Views from the summit encompass the Pioneer, Smoky, and Trinity Mountains as well as the Bennett Hills.

The primary route to Smoky Dome begins just north of the Soldier Mountain Ski Area and heads west up and old dirt road that is now trail 087. The route then turns onto trail 185 as it crosses the South Fork of Soldier Creek. Once on the ridge above the ski area, follow the trail along the ridge until it ends below and to the northeast of the second peak. Continue to follow the ridge up the second and third peaks until you reach Smoky Dome. There are numerous other routes possible.

The northern slopes of Smoky Dome are drained by Boardman Creek, a tributary of the South Fork Boise River. The four Smoky Dome Lakes, Lower, Upper 1, Upper 2, and West Smoky Dome Lakes are northwest of the peak. Boardman Peak and Iron Mountain are both northwest of Smoky Dome.^[5]

Peak in Idaho. Cache Peak, at 10,339 feet above sea level, is the highest peak in the Albion Mountains of Cassia County in Southern Idaho. Cache Peak is located in the central part of the range southeast of Oakley and north of Almo in the Albion Division of the Minidoka Ranger District of Sawtooth National Forest.

Cache Peak is in the watershed of tributaries of the Snake River, which itself is a tributary of the Columbia River. The peak is a part of the Great Basin Divide and the Basin and Range Province. It is the highest peak in Idaho south of the Snake River Plain, the highest in Cassia County, and north of City of Rocks National Reserve. The Independence Lakes are located in the basin north of the peak, and Mount Independence is about 1 mi (1.6 km) northwest of the peak. The peak can be reached via a non-technical hike, and there are several alpine lakes on the east side of the peak.

Cache Peak supports one of the three populations of Cymopterus davisii, a plant that is endemic to the Albion Mountains. The Cache Peak population is considered a single population with Mount Independence.^[8]

Peak in Idaho. Boardman Peak, at 9,457 feet high is one of the peaks of the Soldier Mountains of Idaho. Boardman Peak is located at the center of the range southeast of Iron Mountain, northwest of Smoky Dome, and northwest of Fairfield in Camas County and Sawtooth National Forest. No trails go to the summit, but several pass near the peak, and the ascent is only class 2.

Boardman Peak has over 300 feet (91 m) prominence and is west of Boardman Pass.

The northern slopes of Boardman Peak are drained by Boardman Creek, a tributary of the South Fork Boise River, and the south slopes are drained by Salt Log and Bremner Creeks, tributaries of the South Fork of Lime Creek. Boardman Lake, while not directly below the peak, is northwest of the mountain.^[9]