Sawtooth Range: Alta side

[saudog]

Hey guys.  Just looking for some general information on this area.  I grew up in SW washington but live in the Seattle area now and am looking to find some new country.  I like hunting the high country.  I am wondering if anyone is familiar with the Alta side of the Sawtooth range.  I am betting there are horse camps up all of the trails to the high country.  Do they dominate the area or can a guy hoof it up on his own and get equal or past them?  Can motorcycles be taken up any of the trails?  I thought I read that the eagle lakes trail to a pass in the mountains can be accessed by ORV's but just during the hunting season.  Any truth to that?  Are there decent numbers of Deer up in those mountains on that side?  I know no one likes to give out too much info which is totally understandable.  Any help would be appriciated.  Thanks!

[boneaddict]

Yes its beautiful country, yes there are tons of horsecamps and gets hunted hard. No for the most part on bikes mountain or motor.  There is one trail that goes to a lake, but I don't remember which one.  To make sure, you'd have to get a hold of one of the use maps.

[saudog]

Thanks for the reply.  I figured I wouldn't be the only one up there.  Does anyone know of any trails that are too steep or too rarely used that the horses won't be going up?  I'll probably just camp at a trailhead or in the back country, weather permitting, and hike the trails on foot.  Thanks again!

[boneaddict]

 
NO there are no trails that keep the horses at bay.

[Shank]

I hope I'm thinking of the right area here.  I was up in the Sawtooth/Foggy Dew area the first part of August and saw three bucks by Boiling Lake one was a nice 4 point the other two were a 3pt and a spike, all of of them together.  If your looking form Horse Head pass to Boiling Lake they were on the top of the finger above the lake right at the tree line.  That is some real nice country up there.  As far as motorcycles go there are some trails open to them (that's what I was on when I was up there)  Fun riding but kinda of a challange.  The trail that goes by upper and lower Eagle lakes is open to ORV use.  I tried to find a ORV map of the area but couldn't.  I'll keep checking and will post when I find it.

[saudog]

Thanks guys.  I found a map on the Okanogan National Forest site that has the ORV restrictions listed.  They open some stuff up for hunting season.  Looking at the weather forecasts, I have to think there will be snow on the top of that ridge by opening weekend.  Does anyone know if that north east facing side of the rigde is heavily forested, or if it is broken up so you can see a little?  Do the deer migrate down that side or down the other side towards Lake Chelan?  Probably asking for too much info.  Thanks for any help!

[boneaddict]

There are two outfitter camps right there and that ridge has lots of company.  It is some of the prettiest mule deer country in the world, but heavily hunted if you care.  Verrelman outof Pateros puts a camp right by boiling.  Darwood has one just to the South.  I have pics somewhere, if I can find them, I'll get them for you.

[saudog]

Thanks for the heads up boneaddict.  I would love to see some pics if you have the time.

[boneaddict]

The animals are in the pass and we are looking North.

[boneaddict]

This picture is facing south where the last picture was taken

[boneaddict]

this picture is from the pass facing east towards eagle.

[boneaddict]

this picture is form the pass looking back at boiling.  One of the biggest hunting camps in the sawtooth is just toward the trees on the otherside of the lake.

[jackelope]

DAMN...thats pretty country. never been in there before.

[saudog]

Wow, Thanks bud.  Great looking country.  I saw on other threads that you have done a lot of high mountain hunting and pac hunting, but now prefer to backpack in to alot of your hunting spots.  I'm going to take the same approach, and hope I can find some spots that the horse camps aren't too close to.  Should be fun either way.  Thanks for all your help!

[saudog]

One last question for you guys.  Are there many places to camp by the trailheads?  I see some official "campgrouds" but are there short skid roads/unofficial camp sites off of the forest roads near those trailheads?  Thanks.