Check out these stunning photos from readers of the Sawtooth National Recreation Area

Chadd Cripe
·1 min read

Jeff Walker’s favorite photo from the Sawtooth National Recreation Area wasn’t about pretty scenery. A peak is barely noticeable. There’s no sunrise reflection in the lake.

It’s all about the emotion.

“SNRA is pure joy,” Walker wrote while submitting a photo of his son, 7-year-old Andrew, in Redfish Lake. “Nature’s healing waters of Redfish Lake, simple adventures and family moments away from the distractions of hot summer days and never-ending work demands. All expressed in a child’s face.”

“SNRA is pure joy,” Jeff Walker said while submitting this photo from Redfish Lake, of his 7-year-old son Andrew.
“SNRA is pure joy,” Jeff Walker said while submitting this photo from Redfish Lake, of his 7-year-old son Andrew.

We asked readers to submit their favorite photos from the SNRA — which includes the Sawtooth, White Cloud and Boulder mountains — in honor of the area’s 50th anniversary on Aug. 22.

Dozens of readers sent more than 100 photos for consideration. The video at the top of this story includes many of those photos, and there are a few embedded below. The pictures represent all three mountain ranges, a variety of activities (flying, horseback riding, kayaking, paddleboarding, biking, skiing, camping, hiking, etc.) and all of the stunning visuals the SNRA produces. And, fittingly, some of them go back decades.

Enjoy!

Danette Phelan sits on the shore of Imogene Lake. (Courtesy of Margaret McGranahan)
Danette Phelan sits on the shore of Imogene Lake. (Courtesy of Margaret McGranahan)
Courtesy of Jill Lindberg
Courtesy of Jill Lindberg
The top of Cramer Peak. (Courtesy of Eric Plummer)
The top of Cramer Peak. (Courtesy of Eric Plummer)
Backpacking at Trailcreek Lake. (Courtesy of Fred Stillings)
Backpacking at Trailcreek Lake. (Courtesy of Fred Stillings)