Sawtooth Mountains Hiking Guide 2025: Explore Idaho's Wild Trails with Local Advice and Backcountry

Dreaming of crystal-clear alpine lakes, rugged ridgelines, and trails that actually feel wild but not sure where to start?
Worried about getting lost, showing up unprepared, or picking the wrong trail for your skill level?
Curious if the Sawtooths are really worth the hype or just another overrun destination?

Let me show you the version of the Sawtooth Mountains that most travelers never get to see.

I'm Richard T. Tucker a backcountry hiker, educator, and someone who's spent decades exploring these trails, peaks, and valleys. I wrote this guide not just to help you hike but to help you hike well, with the kind of confidence, clarity, and respect this wild place deserves.

Inside this 2025 edition, you'll get:

• Basecamp-by-basecamp breakdowns for Stanley, Redfish, Ketchum & more

• Itineraries for 3, 5, and 7-day adventures (and easy day-hikes too!)

• Up-to-date info on permits, closures, trail conditions, and fire risk

• Safety tips for wildlife, weather, solo hiking, and navigation

• Local insight, ranger interviews, and real stories from the trail

Whether you're a first-timer, a family with kids, or a seasoned backpacker looking for something remote, this book is designed to give you everything you need and nothing you don't.

Still unsure if this guide is for you?

• Worried it's too advanced? It includes beginner-friendly hikes, family favorites, and trailhead access guides.

• Not sure how to plan a trip from out of state? You'll find tips on where to stay, when to go, what to pack, and how to prepare.

• Think it might be outdated or generic? Every section has been personally researched, updated for 2025, and written from boots-on-the-ground experience not internet guesswork.

Don't just visit the Sawtooths. Know them. Respect them. Fall in love with them.
This book is your guide, your trail partner, and your quiet reminder to go prepared and come back changed.