Middle Fork of the Boise River, Leggit Lake

Leggit Lake is accessed off of the Middle Fork of the Boise River trail upstream from the Powerplant Campground near Atlanta.   For a brief overview of the Middle Fork canyon check out the Powerplant to Mattingly Junction adventure. or the Atlanta overview for more general info about the greater region.

Leggit Lake

Leggit Lake occupies the very southern tip of the Sawtooth Wilderness. Miners exploring the Basin Claims on the east side of the canyon built a road into Leggit Creek sometime before 1964 when it first shows up on the Sawtooth Forest maps. Mining surveys in 1970 report the road as being virtually impassable. Over time, a trail to Leggit Lake was established as hikers explored the canyon beyond the end of the old mining road.

At the mouth of the canyon, a large buttress is reminiscent of Yosemite’s El Capitan in the way it soars vertically above the valley floor. The lower half of the canyon is carpeted with thick forest, while the upper half crosses through several open, sloping meadows and is arguably the best wildflower hike in the entire range. The lake occupies a small hanging basin ringed by steep but attainable ridgelines. The view down canyon from the lip of the upper basin is outstanding. The 16-mile out-and-back is a challenging day hike, but so is hauling food and gear for a multi-day backpack to the end of the canyon.

Basin Claims Road

Though the junction with the Basin Claims road has been obliterated by blowouts from above, it is still plainly visible in Google Earth. After crossing the drainage beneath the mines, bushwhack uphill in order to find the switchbacks and climb into the basin above.

Wilderness Regulations

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 and well disguised in a cat hole 6 to 8 inches deep. 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.