Alice Toxaway Lake Loop: Backpacking Idaho’s Sawtooth Wilderness

The Sawtooths, named for their iconic jagged peaks, are a unique mountain range in Southern Idaho. Visiting the Sawtooth National Forest is the perfect trip from Boise, and it is an amazing place for hiking, camping, and backpacking. The Alice Toxaway Loop in particular is the perfect length for a weekend backpacking trip in Idaho to some beautiful lakes.

This trail was my first time backpacking, and although I made a lot of beginner backpacking mistakes, I still had a great time and was hooked on backpacking. Idaho’s Alice Toxaway Loop is a great backpacking trip for both beginners and experienced hikers alike. Hike by Alice Lake, Pettit Lake, Twin Lakes, and Toxaway Lake high in Idaho’s Sawtooth Mountains. Below this guide walks you through everything you need to get to the trailhead, where to stay, and what to bring on the Alice Toxaway Lake Loop trail.

How to Get To Alice Lake & Toxaway Lake Trailhead from Boise, Idaho

There are two trailheads you can use to start your backpacking loop of Alice and Toxaway Lake. We set off from Yellowbelly Trailhead, but it is more popular to begin at Tin Cup Trailhead near Pettit Lake. Both are a quick 30-minute drive from Stanley, Idaho South down Highway 75,  or a 3-hour drive from Boise.

The road to the trailheads is rocky, and there is plenty of room off the road for boondocking. The trailheads are only a mile apart from each other, although Tin Cup’s is larger with bathrooms and a dumpster available. 4WD is nice to have for parts of the trailhead drive but not necessary.

Stanley does have several small stores with supplies, but I would recommend you do most of your gearing up before you leave Boise or a major town. Mountain Village Mercantile is a grocery/ convenience store in Stanley if you do need any last-minute items.

NOTE: It is possible to drive past the trailhead and get closer to the lake and border to the Sawtooth National Forest. We attempted this unsuccessfully, as the road is extremely rocky. The rented Jeep was why we got as far as we did, but we turned back for fear of puncturing a tire. I would not recommend this unless you are very confident in your vehicle. 

Where to Stay in Near the Alice Toxaway Loop Trailhead

Camping in the Sawtooths:

• Pettit Lake Campground– Pettit Lake Campground is right next to Tin Cup Trailhead. It has water, bathrooms, and picnic tables available, with a fee of $16 for single sites.
• Boondocking– The entire area around the trailhead has spots for free camping if you are able to boondock. If the area closest is filled up, Campendium lists plenty of more campgrounds nearby.

Hotels in Stanley, Idaho:

• Stanley High Country Inn– This is an adorable lodge in Stanley Idaho, whose rooms have balconies!
• Mountain Village Resort–  Mountain Village Resort has lodging as well as tent and RV spots, and all guests get access to their private hot springs.

Airbnb near Stanley, Idaho:

•  Tiny Homes– Romantic tiny homes in Stanley, complete with fireplaces.
• A-Frame Cabins– Cute cabins for a glamping getaway near the Sawtooths

Idaho’s Alice Toxaway Loop Trail Summary

• Length: 21.3 miles
• Elevation Gain: 4179 ft
• Difficulty: Difficult
• Popularity: Popular
• Number of Nights: 2 or 3 nights
• Dogs Allowed: Dogs are allowed on this trail
• Trailhead Location: NF-208 to NF-365 (Yellowbelly Trailhead) or NF-362 (Tin Cup Trailhead)
• Permits: Permit available at the trailhead

The Alice Toxaway Lake Loop is absolutely stunning, and I am so glad I chose it for my first backpacking trip! You can begin this loop at Pettit Lake or Yellowbelly Lake. For about 1000 feet less elevation, you can bypass the hike up to Edith Lake, and take the lower path along Toxaway Lake.

This whole trail is beautiful! There is a bit of forest walking at the beginning and end, but it does not take long for the scenery to turn to meadows, alpine lakes, and ridgeline views. You will most likely encounter horses on your hike, and a fair amount of crowds on a summer weekend. 

The Sawtooths are black bear country so make sure to bring a bear bag or bear-proof canister. We did not encounter any bears but did see signs of them and moved our campsite after seeing scratches and signs of recent bear activity.  

I found two to three nights the perfect amount of time to hike the Alice-Toxaway Loop at an unhurried pace. I’m sure faster hikers could easily do it in one night, and we saw several trail runners doing it in a day. The trails are very well maintained, and there are plenty of sites for camping and trees for hammocking.

Trail Guide: Alice Toxaway Lake Loop Trail

Below is a more detailed trail guide of the counterclockwise route we did from YellowbellyTrailhead to Toxaway Lake, Alice Lake, and Pettit Lake and back to Yellowbelly Trailhead. You can just as easily (or more easily) hike this trail starting at Tincup Trailhead near Pettit Lake, or hike clockwise.

No matter your starting point or direction, the below guide can help you know what to expect on the Alice-Toxaway Loop Trail!

Yellowbelly Trailhead to Farley Lake

Beginning at Yellowbelly Trailhead, it is about a mile to Yellowbelly Lake. If you are starting your backpacking hike late in the afternoon, this makes a good first-night camping spot to set off from in the morning. There are several campsites in the vicinity of this large lake, and one night spent near the trailhead lets you acclimate to the elevation.

After reaching the lake, the trail continues along the lake and towards the Sawtooth National Forest. 2.7 miles into your hike you will reach the actual border of the Sawtooth National Forest. Make sure to fill out your permit at the permit box before continuing!

After another 2.7 miles, you will reach Farley Lake. This is a great place to break for lunch or just a snack. Admire the beautiful bright blue water of Farley Lake and mountain peaks surrounding it.

Toxaway Lake

Continue on towards Toxaway Lake. A little under 2 miles past Farley Lake the trail splits. You can either head up to Edith Lake or stay on the lower route passing Bowman Lake before reaching Toxaway Lake. The Edith Lake route will add a little over a mile and 1000 feet of elevation to your trip.

If you take the lower route, I would highly recommend camping at Toxaway Lake. There are plenty of flat spots, only a short walk from the sandy beach. The lake is clear and the perfect spot to swim on a hot summer day to cool down from your hike.

Toss your beers or drinks in the lake and watch the sunset over Toxaway Lake, turning the mountains a glowing red.

Toxaway Lake to Alice Lake & Twin Lakes

The next morning, rise early and set off for the pass and highest point on the trail. After Toxaway Lake, the trail to the Alice and Twin Lakes viewpoint becomes entirely made of switchbacks. Several smaller alpine lakes reside along the way, followed by about a mile, completely exposed, above the tree line. 

Ascend the last switchback, crest the pass, and the best view on the trail is revealed. You can see miles across the valley below with the Twin Lakes closed in by the jagged peaks and Alice Lake to the East.

This is the perfect spot for an early lunch or snack break. This is without a doubt one of the most amazing views in all of Idaho and it would be a shame not to stop and take it in.

After having your fill of the pass, head down to Twin Lakes and Alice Lakes to complete your loop. These switchbacks are much more gentle, and there are side trails to Twin Lakes and Alice Lake.  Alice Lake is a popular day hiking spot, so don’t be surprised if the trail is more crowded on this half of the trail.

Alice Lake to Pettit Lake

If you have the time to extend your trip, Alice Lake makes for a great camping spot! We did not set up camp here, but we did take a quick break to photograph the Sawtooth’s magnificent El Capitan. While not as iconic as its sister in Yosemite, it is still an impressive sight to see. 

After passing Alice Lake, descend down miles and miles of narrow, rocky switchbacks. There are fewer chances for water on this section of the trail, so make sure to fill up near Alice Lake.

Pettit Lake to Yellowbelly Lake

5.7 miles after leaving Alice Lake, you will reach the beginning of Petitt Lake. The trail along Pettit Lake has a steep incline on either side, and there are not many, if any, camping spots along this side of the lake. It will take a mile to hike all the way along the Northside of the Lake to Pettit Lake Campground. There is a fee of $16 to camp here and it may be filled up with car campers, vans, and RVs.

Right before Pettit Lake Campground, there is a side trail that goes up and joins back to Yellowbelly Trail to lead back to the Yellowbelly Trailhead for a total of 3 miles from Pettit Lake to the trailhead.

Congratulate yourself on a hike well done and head back to Stanley and treat yourselves to some coffee and pastries at Stanley Baking Company & Cafe!

Recommended Alice Toxaway Loop Itinerary

How long should you plan to hike the Alice Toxaway Lake Loop? This trail makes for either a 1 or 2-night backpacking trip, depending on how fast you hike and if you take any side routes. Below are a few options for 2 or 3-day trips and suggested camping sites.

2 Days, 1 Night

Option 1

• Day 1: Pettit Lake to Alice Lake (6 miles)
• Camp at Alice Lake
• Day 2: Alice Lake to Toxaway Lake to Pettit Lake (13.6 miles)

Option 2

• Day 1: Pettit Lake to Toxaway Lake (11.2 miles)
• Camp at Toxaway Lake
• Day 2: Toxaway Lake to Pettit Lake (8 miles)

Option 3

• Day 1: Yellowbelly Trailhead to Toxaway Lake (8.4 miles)
• Camp at Toxaway Lake
• Day 2: Toxaway Lake to Alice Lake to Yellowbelly Lake (15.6 miles)

3 Days, 2 Nights

Option 1

• Day 1: Pettit Lake to Alice Lake (6 miles)
• Camp at Alice Lake
• Day 2: Alice Lake to Edith Lake (9.5 miles)
• Camp at Edith Lake
• Day 3: Edith Lake to Pettit Lake (7.9 miles)

Option 2

• Day 1: Yellowbelly Trailhead to Toxaway Lake (8.4 miles)
• Camp at Toxaway Lake
• Day 2: Toxaway Lake to Alice Lake (5.6 miles)
• Camp at Alice Lake
• Day 3: Alice Lake to Yellowbelly Lake Trailhead (10 miles)

Other Hikes in the Sawtooth Wilderness

• Sawtooth Lake Trail– 10 miles, 1,873 feet, Moderate– Sawtooth Lake is one of the best lakes in Idaho. Only 5 miles each way, this also makes a great short one-night backpacking trip.
• Goat Lake and Goat Falls– 8.1 miles, 1768 feet, Difficult– From the same trailhead as Sawtooth Lake you can turn off Iron Creek Trail onto Alpine Way to hike to a beautiful lake and falls.
• Bench Lakes Trail– 7.8 miles, 1,240 feet, Moderate– Start near Redfish Lake to hike up to this lake on a day hike in the Sawtooths.

Other Things To Do in the Sawtooths

• Visit a Hot Spring– We stopped by Kirkham Hot Springs on the way back to Boise. There is a small fee and a steep descent to the springs, but the water is so warm and relaxing after hiking. 
• Whitewater Rafting– Go on an adventure with White Cloud Rafting based out of Stanley.
• Horseback Riding– Experience the scenery in a different way on a horseback ride.

Sawtooths Backpacking Packing List

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links. This means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn an affiliate commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.

Below is a starting point of some gear you might want to take backpacking the Alice Toxaway Lake Loop in Idaho. This is not a complete list, so make sure to do your own research and be prepared!

Backpacking Gear List

• Women’s Backpack– This is the backpack I use! It fits everything and distributes the weight well.
• Sleeping Pad– A sleeping pad is necessary for a good night’s sleep in the wilderness. You can either use an inflatable one or the foam kind.
• Backpacking Sleeping Bag– A lightweight sleeping bag is essential for any backpacking trip. Make sure your sleeping bag is rated for the weather you will be camping in.
• Backpacking Tent– I have the 2 person version of the Nemo Dragonfly backpacking tent, and I love it! It’s light and easy to set up.
• Camping Pillow– Some people swear by a camping pillow to sleep in the woods.
• Water Filter– This water filter is light and easy to use. I used this and two 1 L water bottles- one dirty and one clean.
• First Aid Kit– A medical kit is something you should always bring in your pack hiking for emergencies.
• Trekking Poles– Trekking poles can be useful on any steep hike, but especially on a backpacking trip with a heavy pack!
• Lightweight Pot– Don’t forget a titanium pot to cook your backpacking meals in.
• Propane Stove– Jetboil makes a great fast-boiling backpacking stove.
• Spork– These seem obvious, but I’m not ashamed to admit I have forgotten a utensil of several backpacking and camping trips.

Backpacking Clothing List

• Hiking Boots– You will need some good hiking boots for backpacking in the mountains. Merrell’s are a great option for beginner hikers. If you are wearing hiking boots, make sure you are also wearing the right socks to avoid blisters and bring a spare.
• Down Coat– Even in the summer the nights can get quite chilly in the mountains. Bring a packable heavy coat, so you will be prepared for all weather!
• Fleece Jacket– A fleece jacket or quarter zip is a great midlayer to bring if it’s not cold enough for a heavy jacket but you still need to cover up.
• Rain Jacket– Always bring a rain jacket on a backpacking trip! Marmot makes top-quality rain gear, and Columbia has a great, inexpensive option.
• Moisture-Wicking Shirts– Any shirt will do, but the best hiking shirts are made of natural or synthetic moisture-wicking material that is breathable and dries quickly.
• Athletic Shorts/Pants– I personally tend to wear hiking leggings more than shorts, but either will work depending on the season.
• Hat– I always bring both a beanie hat for warmth and a baseball cap if it warms up to control my hair and keep ticks off in the forest.
• Sandals– Always bring something to change into when you are done hiking for the day and need to relieve your feet. Teva’s are my favorite sandal, but even a cheap pair of flip flops will do.
• Headlamp or Flashlight–Don’t forget a headlamp to get around in the dark.

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