NEOK wrote:
We were in Stanley in late August 2017. At that time it looked like they were performing a lot of work on the campgrounds at Redfish lake. The scenery right around Stanley was a little disappointing. We had camped at Redfish lake back in the 80s and they area is much more of a tourist area now. As for snow, I have to laugh a little because it was brutally hot in much of Idaho that year and very dry with a lot of smoky forest fires. We were travelling from Stanley heading north west up to northern Idaho. On Labor day the location we were in hit 113 degrees. So much for leaving hot Oklahoma to get to a cooler location. Hope you have a great trip. Idaho does have some beautiful scenery.
Hard to believe you were disappointed in the scenery around Stanley. I can understand being disappointed about the heat, smoke, and overwhelming amount of tourists(compared to 40 years ago) on Labor Day Weekend. Traveling west from Stanley you lose elevation and gain air temps, but late September is perfect weather usually in Stanley. Elk will be bugling.
Redfish now is surrounded by campgrounds and in fact has ruined the place. There are other smaller lakes to visit and many places to boondock. Unfortunately many campers take advantage of weak law enforcement and exceed the 14 or 16 day stay limit in the Sawtooth NF monopolizing many spots.
We had a very weak snowpack and dry spring The snow is virtually gone at all elevations now so look for more fires and smoke this year. The weather is helping the bugs to kill off more trees so the dry fuel will be there if there are starts.
There are many hot springs from Challis to Banks if you happen to partake. The road to Grandjean, ID is lined with hot springs and spots to boondock as well. Have fun it's a great area.
