In 2003 I had camped at the un-named lake at 9,000 feet in the cirque between Thompson and Williams Peak. We climbed Thompson Peak and caught some nice cutthroat trout.

My wife loves to fish and we'd been talking about going to the lake ever since so she could enjoy the fishing. I wanted to go back to enjoy what is one of the wildest and scenic lakes/areas in Idaho.

All spring and summer, I have been taking my wife with me on hikes to prepare her for the hike in, which is 5 miles each way with a gain of 2500'.

The day finally arrived and the weather couldn't have been better... sunny and breezy. We departed the Redfish Backpacker Trailhead in the afternoon with what I estimated was a 3 hour hike in.

We passed the throngs of day hikers that were thick during the beginning of the trail (which follows Fishhook Creek for a while, then merges with the Alpine Way trail on a ridge). I couldn't believe the amount of people that were out. But I also knew that with each step away from the trailhead we would see fewer and fewer people.

Once on the ridge, the steepness of the hike lessens. I had ignored a blister starting and decide now was the time to take care of it... but it was too late. UGH!

Oh well, the scenery on the trail which follows the ridge just north of the Fishhook Creek drainage is one of the best around! The trail sits like 10 feet below the ridge and at any point you can pop over and take in glorious views of Grand Mogul, Heyburn Mountain, Hortsman Peak, etc.

We made great time through this section. Then the trail enters a forested area for the last few miles before our turn-off at the base of the southeast ridge of Williams Peak.

The initial 1/4 mile of the use trail was tough on my wife. It was hot out and the trail is steep. Luckily she powered through it. I now knew we had about 1 mile of challenging "trail" left to go before we were onto smoother slopes and in the hanging basin just below the lake. I asked her for 30 minutes of pain and suffering.

So we followed the trail over sketchy loose rock, scaling small rock towers and then popped out in a meadow with a small lake at 8700 feet. She made it and was doing fine, albeit tired. It took exactly 30 minutes and some sweat and blood, but luckily no tears.

We then had open slopes to the lake. We then passed several day hikers. They reported people were camped at the prime outlet camping spot and others were camped at a bench above the lake. Dangit! Oh well, we'll find somewhere to camp.

15 minutes later we threw the packs down and started searching for a tent spot. We finally settled on a flat bench with incredible views of Fishhook Creek, Redfish Lake, the Sawtooth Valley, and the White Cloud mountains. The only issue was it was a 5 minute walk to get water and do some fishing.

After setting up camp, we filled water bottles and ate and that was it for the evening.

Sunday was perfect. It was one of those days with absolutely no haze in the air and incredible blue skies! One that only comes along a few times a year. After a quick breakfast, we spent nearly the rest of the day fishing and hanging out by the lake.

At several points I thought about heading up Williams Peak, but hanging out at the lake seemed more fun and my blister needed some healing time before the hike out Monday morning.

In addition to forgetting how cool the trail along the ridge was, I had forgotten how amazing the lake was. Brilliant blue water with vertical cliffs ringing half of it. Icebergs floating around from snow that breaks off of the snowbanks surrounding the lake. The outlet is an amazing set of waterfalls and pools that eventually just disappears off the side of a cliff and into the basin below. It's one of those places that never gets old.

After a dinner of fresh fish followed by Mountain Margaritas we enjoyed the setting sun on our last night at the lake. Then we hiked out in cloudy skies the next morning with some rain sprinkles.

A bit of warning... this lake is A LOT more popular now. In addition to the higher human traffic, the marmots have figured out that humans = food. You will need to hang your food bag while you are there or you will return to a bag with chew marks all over your food items... trust me. The hike in is no piece of cake either. The Alpine Way trail is in great shape, but the use trail to the lake goes over some steep, loose sections with a long fall below you. There are a couple of steep sections that just aren't fun with 50 lbs on your back.

Drive north from Ketchum on Highway 75 for 55 miles to Redfish Lake Road (or come in from Stanley to the north). Turn left and drive 1.5 miles to the intersection for the Redfish Lodge turnoff. Continue straight ahead for a couple hundred yards and make a right turn into the backpacker's parking lot.

From the backpacker's lot on the road to Redfish Lake, follow the Fishhook Creek trail for .8 miles to a signed junction pointing to Marshall Lake. Turn right here, and climb to the ridge top on a switchbacked trail that weaves through aspens. Once atop the ridge, you reach another signed junction. Turn west (left) and begin hiking towards the base of Williams Peak. After a mile or so, you pass the Wilderness Boundary sign. Continue west. Once you are at the base of Williams, the trail you are following splits right, veer left on a pretty good climber's trail. Follow this trail as it winds its way on the fringes of Williams Peak. Once you reach an area of trees and small ponds, the trail fades and you must finish the last half a mile on easy cross country terrain.