Ski to Redfish Lake

Stanley, Idaho

5.0/5

based on 1 reviews

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Details

Distance

4 miles

Elevation Gain

200 ft

Route Type

Out-and-Back

Description

Added by Sara Sheehy

Redfish Lake, an alpine lake in central Idaho, is a popular adventure spot in the summer months. In the winter snow blocks vehicular access and Redfish is left to it's own peaceful devices. Ski or snowshoe to the lake for an afternoon of solitude and beauty.

Park in the turnout west of Redfish Lake Road on Highway 75. The turnout is plowed to fit 10 to 15 cars.

Walk over the bridge and turn right onto Redfish Lake Road. You will likely see tracks as it's a good access spot for backcountry skiers. The trail follows the road and is easy to navigate.

Pass by the beautiful timber bridge over Redfish Creek before seeing Little Redfish Lake on your right. Take the short detour to the shores of Little Redfish for a great view. Continue along the road until reaching a wooden sign for the Lodge. Turn right for a beeline to the Lodge (not open in winter). Alternately continue straight to reach the lake and follow the shore to the Lodge. The Lodge has a long dock over Redfish Lake where you can view Grand Mogul rising to the south. Retrace your steps back to the parking area.

Stanley, located seven miles from Redfish Lake Road, has a small grocery store and restaurants.

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Features

Skiing

Snowshoeing

Easy Parking

Forest

Lake

Picnic Area

Scenic

Ski to Redfish Lake Reviews

Paul Cushing

Ski to Redfish Lake

03/23/16

I snowshoed in to the lake and explored the area this last Saturday. The area is incredibly beautiful. The road to the lake is groomed well and can be walked with or without snowshoes. Off trail however, the snow was very deep(mid-March). I found it to be very quiet and I saw few people until some skiers arrived at nearly noon. The view of the snow capped Sawtooth Mountains was well worth the effort.

5.0

Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

Nearby

Bench Lakes Trail

This hike is great for anyone wanting to experience a scenic trail and peaceful alpine lakes. The five Bench Lakes are a chain of lakes draining from Mt. Heyburn. Park in the dirt parking lot across from the Fishhook Creek Trailhead near Redfish Lake. Shortly after the start of the trail you will reach the first fork. Take the trail to the left towards Bench Lakes and follow it across a small...

Marshall Ridge via Fishhook Creek Trailhead

Start your hike at the Fishhook Creek Trailhead by Redfish Lake. Park in the dirt parking lot across the street. Follow the trail (mostly flat) a few hundred feet to the first fork. Here, continue straight to Fishhook Creek. After another short bit on the fairly flat trail, which leads through a gentle forest, you'll come to another fork. Take the trail to the right, which goes up the side of t...

Thompson Peak Trail

The Sawtooths are known for its craggy shapes protruding from central Idaho. Although the hike to Thompson Peak isn't necessarily a rare or tremendously physical feat, it's a proud, boastful moment bagging the tallest peak in the range. Here's the scoop: To reach Redfish Trailhead, head south of Stanley for about 6 miles and follow signs for Redfish Lake. Just before the lodge there is a parki...

Fishhook Creek Trail

This easy hike starts off from the dirt parking lot near Redfish Lake Lodge. Two small footpaths lead away from the far end of the parking lot crossing the road to the lodge just down to the left. The right trail will take you straight to the Fishhook Creek Trailhead, while the left trail will give a short detour over a downed log into a nice wooded area with fantastic photo opportunities of F...

Camp at Redfish Lake

There are plenty of camping spots all within walking distance of the lake or the outlet stream. There are also tons of hikes in the surrounding Sawtooth Mountain Range. The lake is known for its historic Sockeye Salmon runs. The lake is very close to Stanley Idaho and leads into the salmon river. The view from the lake rivals places like the Canadian rockies or the Dolomites. There are spots fo...

Photograph Redfish Lake at Dawn

There are several good spots to photograph along the shore of Redfish Lake. The marina at Redfish Lake Lodge is a great viewpoint. Also be sure to follow the path to the east of the lodge to visit some of the beaches on the north shore. It is here that you can often find yourself alone at dawn when the lake is completely still. Many mornings there is a blanket of fog covering the lake, so captu...

Ski to Redfish Lake

Details

Description

Download the Outbound mobile app

Features

Ski to Redfish Lake Reviews

Leave No Trace

Nearby

Bench Lakes Trail

Marshall Ridge via Fishhook Creek Trailhead

Thompson Peak Trail

Fishhook Creek Trail

Camp at Redfish Lake

Photograph Redfish Lake at Dawn

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Ski to Redfish Lake

Details

Description

Download the Outbound mobile app

Features

Ski to Redfish Lake Reviews

Leave No Trace

Nearby

Bench Lakes Trail

Marshall Ridge via Fishhook Creek Trailhead

Thompson Peak Trail

Fishhook Creek Trail

Camp at Redfish Lake

Photograph Redfish Lake at Dawn

Visit Idaho

Discover

Community

Company

Follow Us

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