Alpine Way Trail, Iron Creek to Stanley Lake

This northern portion of the Alpine Way Trail is a nice option for early-season hikers who are frozen out of the higher lake basins. As a simple thru hike, it is slightly easier to go from Iron Creek to Stanley Lake (214 feet less vertical). The route stays in the trees for most of its length but does offer several nice views along the way. The trail provides excellent access to scrambles and exploration of the McGown massif and, depending on the objective, can be hiked from either end. Creek crossings can be an issue on this hike.

There are several worthy off-trail objectives in between Iron Creek and Stanley Lake that are easily accessed from the Alpine Way trail. The southeast face of McGown Peak (Class 3) and West Ridge of Mystery Mountain (Class 2) are nice moderate routes that start from the saddle between Crooked Cr. and Stanley Lake. For those looking for a more challenging scramble, the east ridge of Mystery above Point 8482 looks like interesting Class 4-5 terrain. Photographers looking for an outstanding view onto Alpine Lake can scramble the ridge west from the Crooked Creek/Iron Creek divide until they are stopped by the craggy spires.

Most of the trail lies within the Sawtooth Wilderness. Please observe the following regulations:
• Mountain bikes are not allowed past the wilderness boundary.
• Self administered wilderness permits are required and available at the trailhead.
• Dogs must be on a leash between July 1 and Labor Day.
• Camp 100-feet from trails, lakes and streams.
• Pack out all garbage.
• Human waste should be buried in a cat hole 6-8 inches deep, buried and well disguised. Pack out all toilet paper.
• Campfires allowed ONLY in a backcountry pan or fire blanket.
• Campfires are NOT allowed at some lakes and in some drainages in the Sawtooths. Please review the campfire restrictions at individual trailheads.
• Permits required for all stock use in the wilderness. No grazing allowed in the Salmon River watershed (this includes the Alpine Lake drainage).
• No equine stock at Edith Lake.  ALL stock prohibited in the Goat Creek and Alpine Creek (Alturas Lake) drainages.

Technical Climbing

Most of the McGown massif is underlain by crumbly Idaho Batholith granite. There are a few crags on the southeast side of Mystery Mountain that look climbable. The prominent chimney and crack on the east face of McGown Peak may offer some technical rock and mixed ice climbs. Explore at your own risk! The north couloirs on McGown Peak offer some nice spring snow/ice climbs depending on the conditions and snowpack.