Yellow Belly is one of several large glacial lakes on the east side of the Sawtooth Mountains.
The smaller McDonald Lake is just a short trip upstream. McDonald is a marshy place in the spring, but the surrounding grassy marsh/meadow is more easily explored when things dry out in the fall.
McDonald Lake outlet in October.
The trail to Yellow Belly Lake climbs along the edge of the outlet creek for the first quarter of a mile.
This wide, cascading section of Yellow Belly Creek is a great spot to stop and explore the water's edge.
Working on balance along Yellow Belly Creek.
Yellow Belly Creek in full June cascade.
Further along the trail is this curious pile of river boulders.
Once it leaves the creek, the trail to the lake is a wide and easy walk through a lodgepole pine forest.
It is fun to explore along the flooded reaches of Yellow Belly's outlet creek on your way back to the car. Be sure to bring a good pair of water shoes.
The shoreline is void of any beaches, but there are a few campsites along the shore that make for a great backpacking destination for kids.