Backpacking in Idaho mid July where would you go?

[Leftyt]

We are taking a road trip this year to visit a good friend I ski bummed with 2012. We will be in Boise around July10-12 then we have about 4 days to backpack before we head home. What would be your top 3 30ish mile backpacking trip? Sawtooth, White Clouds, and other ideas? Right now we are looking mostly at the White Clouds but could be swayed. Is Island lake worth a day hike also? Old roommates wife has recommended it several times so we may go as a group just one day. Thanks in advance!

[climberevan]

I've done a couple of trips in the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness and have been amazed both times. I'm not sure you could do a worthy trip there in only 3 days though.

Sawtooth range is indeed striking, but VERY CROWDED. The White Cloud Wilderness might be the right in between zone. It's really hard to go wrong in ID.

[shank]

White Clouds is probably the move with only a handful of days but “very busy” in the sawtooths is still a pretty moderate crowd by many folks standards, don’t rule it out if you’ve got a project there you’re interested in.

[bearcub69]

ive done island lake before.. think it was the whiteclouds or the boulders.
multiple island lakes
its a cool place, good fly fishing, can hike up to higher lakes, very pretty
you cant really go wrong as long as you do your research

[Leftyt]

Some good info to start. I will start digging through it a bit and get back to you all! Thanks again!

[GlennD]

I would third Whiteclouds, best if your pushed for time in the area.

[Leftyt]

Any idea on who to get the best detailed maps from for the White Clouds? Forest service? I don't want to have to rely on a electronic device even though we will have a In Reach and phones.

[shank]

Pretty sure the nat geo map for sawtooth NRA includes white clouds