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Bear Valley, Idaho

Site of the Summer 2005 Simian Outing.

August 15-20, 2005 is the suggested dates for this important event. Bear Valley is approximately 20 miles northwest of Stanley, Idaho, which is 1754 miles west-northwest of Champaign, IL. Proposed base-camp location is the Fir Creek campground. Simians who manage to find this location will enjoy creek-side camping with trails to nearby Blue Bunch Mountain and Bear Valley Hot Springs. Jeannie is currently on a mission to reconnoiter this spot and results will be reported here soon. After a few days to acclimatize in base camp, other outing opportunities located a short drive away in the Sawtooth Mountains are suggested.

Location

Click on an image to see enlarged view. Fir Creek campground is located in the center of each image.

Camping

Map source.

Fir Creek Campground. No-fee campground (outhouses and tables, but pack in your own water and pack out your own garbage.) right on the banks of Bear Valley Creek.
Public Lands Information Center information on Fir Creek Campground
Kayaking from campground to Dagger Falls.
GPS Trailmaps article on Bear Valley.
Idaho Statesman article on Bear Valley Creek Trail.
Photographs of Hot Springs in Bear Valley.

Hiking

Mt. Regan at the south end of Sawtooth Lake.
Photo source.

Suggested Hike: Sawtooth Lake (10 miles round-trip).
The trail goes through a flat expanse of lodgepole pine into a lush meadow with clear views of the Sawtooth Mountains. After a few switchbacks through Douglas Fir trees, the trail climbs up to a sub-alpine avalanche meadow, crossing Iron Creek. The trail climbs some more on a forested mountainside, until Alpine Lake comes into view 100 feet below. The trail flattens out as you approach Sawtooth Lake, with majestic 10, 190 ft. Mt. Regan reflecting in its waters.

Topographic map of Sawtooth Lake/Mt. Regan area. Map source.