Overview
Alice Lake is a gem of the southern Sawtooth Wilderness, a deep alpine lake cradled in a granite cirque at 8,600 feet elevation. The surrounding peaks, including the jagged silhouettes of Snowyside Peak and the unnamed towers above Twin Lakes, create one of the more dramatic backdrops in Idaho's mountains. At 13 miles round-trip with 2,600 feet of gain, the trail is a solid day hike that earns its views with sustained effort.
The Pettit Lake approach differs in character from the Iron Creek route to Sawtooth Lake. The trailhead is quieter, the lower trail runs alongside Pettit Lake before entering the forest, and the approach feels more like a journey into the backcountry than a march up a well-worn highway. That relative solitude is one of the reasons experienced Sawtooth visitors often prefer this trailhead even when their destination overlaps with the more famous routes.
Alice Lake is also the gateway to the Alice-Toxaway loop, a classic 20-plus mile backpacking circuit through the heart of the Sawtooth Wilderness. Day hikers taste the upper basin; backpackers use Alice as a first-night camp before continuing the circuit. Both uses are well-served by the trail.
See the Sawtooth National Forest guide for forest-wide information on permits, camping, and seasonal access. Check conditions before your visit given the high elevation and variable snowpack in this drainage.
The Route
Miles 0 to 3.0: Pettit Lake to Forest Entry
The trail begins at the Pettit Lake Trailhead (elevation approximately 7,000 feet) and immediately passes the south shore of Pettit Lake. The lake is visible through the trees for the first 0.5 miles, providing a gentle and scenic warm-up. The trail then enters lodgepole pine forest and begins climbing gradually along Pettit Creek.
The gradient is gentle to moderate for the first 3 miles. The trail crosses several small creek drainages that are reliable water sources through mid-August. The forest in this section is dense and provides good shade on hot summer days, which makes the lower approach more comfortable than the exposed upper basin will be later.
Miles 3.0 to 5.0: Into the Upper Drainage
Above mile 3, the trail steepens as it climbs toward the headwall of the Alice Lake basin. The forest begins to thin and open views appear to the north and east. Switchbacks carry the trail up through rocky terrain with patches of wildflowers in late July. Whitebark pine replaces the lodgepole at higher elevations, and the rocky alpine character of the upper Sawtooths becomes evident.
At approximately mile 4.5, the trail passes through a boulder field that can still hold snow patches into early August in heavy snow years. The footing is uneven here and trekking poles help maintain balance.
Miles 5.0 to 6.5: The Lake Basin
The trail crests a final rocky rise and descends slightly to the Alice Lake shoreline. The views here are immediate and arresting: granite walls rise on three sides, the water is blue-green, and the serrated ridgeline above defines the skyline. A use trail circles the lake and connects to the path toward Twin Lakes to the north.
The best camp spots and picnic areas are on the eastern shoreline, where flat rock benches provide a dry sitting surface. The western side is rockier and more exposed.
When to Visit
July through September. The high approach and the basin's northward orientation mean snow lingers longer here than on south-facing routes. The trail is typically fully clear by late July in an average year; early July often requires navigating snow patches on the upper switchbacks.
August is the sweet spot: warm mornings, predictable (if thundery) afternoons, and no snowpack concerns. September brings solitude and fall colors in the aspen groves at lower elevations but carries a risk of early-season snowfall above 8,500 feet.
What to Bring
Many hikers on this route carry:
- 3 liters of water capacity for the longer approach; water sources are available but spacing increases in the upper basin late in the season
- A water filter or purification tablets
- Wind layers and a rain shell, as the upper basin is fully exposed to afternoon weather
- Trekking poles for rocky terrain and the descent
- High-calorie food for a long day; the 13-mile distance demands sustained energy
- Sun protection for the open upper basin
Consider microspikes for visits before late July. Individual needs vary based on fitness, the season, and current conditions.
Practical Details
No permit is required as of 2026. Dispersed camping at Alice Lake is allowed with no reservation. Campfires may be restricted above 8,000 feet during summer and fall; check current restrictions with the Sawtooth National Recreation Area. A vault toilet is present at the Pettit Lake Trailhead.
Cell service is absent from the trailhead and throughout the route. Download topo maps before leaving civilization. The trail is generally well-marked; the junction for Twin Lakes is signed at Alice Lake's northern shoreline.
Learn about Leave No Trace principles before camping in this lake basin. Human waste disposal and food storage are the primary concerns in the high-use areas around Alice Lake.
Bear canister requirements should be checked before any overnight trip in the Sawtooth Wilderness. While not uniformly required as of 2026, canisters are strongly recommended.
Getting There
From Stanley, drive south on Highway 75 approximately 5 miles. Turn right (west) onto the signed Pettit Lake Road and follow it approximately 1.5 miles to the trailhead parking area. The road is dirt and generally passable by passenger vehicles, though the final section benefits from a bit of ground clearance. The lot holds roughly 25 cars.
From Ketchum, drive north on Highway 75 over Galena Summit and continue to the Pettit Lake turnoff on the left (west) side of the highway. Total drive time from Ketchum is approximately 1 hour 15 minutes.