asmrz - Nov 3, 2023 1:42 pm Date Climbed: Aug 7, 2022
From Stanley Lake
Hiked up the peak from Stanley Lake. It was about 16 miles RT and 2,600 feet of gain. Once we got on the summit ridge, the views of the whole range opened up. Incredible panorama. As someone already mentioned, when hiking in these mountains, wading shoes and trekking poles are a must!.
britfoot - Sep 24, 2022 4:09 pm Date Climbed: Aug 7, 2022
Stunning Views from Observation Peak
Hiked up the trail from Stanley Lake to the Divide, meeting the trail from Grandjean. From there leads a steep and poorly maintained trail the last 1.3 mile and 1,100 feet to the summit. Views of the heart of the Sawtooths are stunning. Round trip was 16 miles with 2,600' of gain.
Annalikeslenses - Jun 27, 2020 11:17 pm Date Climbed: Jun 27, 2020
#viewsfordays
Made for a long outing from Stanley Lake - around 16 miles RT. Google Earth reports around 3500' of gain but since there's very little elevation lost over the course of the trail, I think that and the Summitpost description are quite high and would estimate it more as 2700'. Two river crossings were mid-calf to knee-high and a little tricky (thankful for water shoes and sandals!). Lots of snow past the first set of switchbacks on the side trail, lost the trail a lot and were postholing a fair bit, but still made it up. Phenomenal views and some fun glissading on the way down!
wyatt_meyers - Oct 24, 2017 3:18 pm Date Climbed: May 28, 2016
Too early
River crossings were freezing chest high death pools. Only one was actually high but it was very cold, worst river crossing I've done. Besides that is was an awesome hike with a pretty good view. Lost the trail a the top due to snow and just went up the side through a dry patch. Couldn't find the trail up or down from just after the last river crossing but wasn't too difficult to make it up!
SawtoothSean - Jan 15, 2014 11:20 am Date Climbed: Jul 5, 2013
always good
Found a huge scattered box of colorful unused tampons just off trail
Smoove910 - Aug 3, 2013 5:52 pm Date Climbed: Jul 23, 2009
Fun
Long day spent with little bro on his 1st peak ascent. Great hike, but a little windy on top.
Scrambling Man - Jul 14, 2013 3:51 pm Date Climbed: Jul 12, 2013
Hike/Bike
Mountain biked in 4 miles on Stanley Lake trail, then hiked up the rest of the way. Nice little summit with good views of the Sawtooths.
A short video of some of the features on this hike:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p32uHZ686ss
mjholmes - Mar 12, 2012 8:15 pm Date Climbed: Sep 1, 1986
Easy and Beautiful
Class 1 walk-up and a great side-trip if you are backpacking on the Sawtooths. Definitely worth it! Hiked up again from Stanley Lake in Oct 2012 (16.6 miles round-trip). Views were hazy from wild fires still smoldering, but weather was beautiful after a cold start.
Homestarhiker - Aug 21, 2011 1:27 am Date Climbed: Aug 19, 2011
Great view
A friend and I hiked up as a sidetrip while backpacking from Grandjean to Sawtooth Lake. The view is well worth the hike.
BeDrinkable - Jan 19, 2011 2:11 pm Date Climbed: Sep 16, 2004
Nice views, hike.
Walked up from Grandjean. It was longer than I expected, but obviously worth it.
mountaingazelle - Jan 10, 2011 5:57 pm Date Climbed: Jul 12, 2002
Observation Peak
I've hiked up Observation Peak twice. The first was on July 12, 2002 as a day hike from Stanley Lake trailhead. The second was on September 4, 2005 during a backpacking loop in the Sawtooths.
SawtoothSean - Jan 10, 2011 1:38 pm Date Climbed: Nov 16, 2008
Many Times
This is a great intro peak to the range, or good hike with the family.
asmrz - Nov 3, 2023 1:42 pm Date Climbed: Aug 7, 2022
From Stanley LakeHiked up the peak from Stanley Lake. It was about 16 miles RT and 2,600 feet of gain. Once we got on the summit ridge, the views of the whole range opened up. Incredible panorama. As someone already mentioned, when hiking in these mountains, wading shoes and trekking poles are a must!.
britfoot - Sep 24, 2022 4:09 pm Date Climbed: Aug 7, 2022
Stunning Views from Observation PeakHiked up the trail from Stanley Lake to the Divide, meeting the trail from Grandjean. From there leads a steep and poorly maintained trail the last 1.3 mile and 1,100 feet to the summit. Views of the heart of the Sawtooths are stunning. Round trip was 16 miles with 2,600' of gain.
Annalikeslenses - Jun 27, 2020 11:17 pm Date Climbed: Jun 27, 2020
#viewsfordaysMade for a long outing from Stanley Lake - around 16 miles RT. Google Earth reports around 3500' of gain but since there's very little elevation lost over the course of the trail, I think that and the Summitpost description are quite high and would estimate it more as 2700'. Two river crossings were mid-calf to knee-high and a little tricky (thankful for water shoes and sandals!). Lots of snow past the first set of switchbacks on the side trail, lost the trail a lot and were postholing a fair bit, but still made it up. Phenomenal views and some fun glissading on the way down!
wyatt_meyers - Oct 24, 2017 3:18 pm Date Climbed: May 28, 2016
Too earlyRiver crossings were freezing chest high death pools. Only one was actually high but it was very cold, worst river crossing I've done. Besides that is was an awesome hike with a pretty good view. Lost the trail a the top due to snow and just went up the side through a dry patch. Couldn't find the trail up or down from just after the last river crossing but wasn't too difficult to make it up!
SawtoothSean - Jan 15, 2014 11:20 am Date Climbed: Jul 5, 2013
always goodFound a huge scattered box of colorful unused tampons just off trail
Smoove910 - Aug 3, 2013 5:52 pm Date Climbed: Jul 23, 2009
FunLong day spent with little bro on his 1st peak ascent. Great hike, but a little windy on top.
Scrambling Man - Jul 14, 2013 3:51 pm Date Climbed: Jul 12, 2013
Hike/BikeMountain biked in 4 miles on Stanley Lake trail, then hiked up the rest of the way. Nice little summit with good views of the Sawtooths.
ChasingDarkSkies - Jul 19, 2012 2:09 pm Date Climbed: Sep 25, 2011
This trip was my first in the SawtoothsVery rewarding once you reach the top.
A short video of some of the features on this hike:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p32uHZ686ss
mjholmes - Mar 12, 2012 8:15 pm Date Climbed: Sep 1, 1986
Easy and BeautifulClass 1 walk-up and a great side-trip if you are backpacking on the Sawtooths. Definitely worth it! Hiked up again from Stanley Lake in Oct 2012 (16.6 miles round-trip). Views were hazy from wild fires still smoldering, but weather was beautiful after a cold start.
Homestarhiker - Aug 21, 2011 1:27 am Date Climbed: Aug 19, 2011
Great viewA friend and I hiked up as a sidetrip while backpacking from Grandjean to Sawtooth Lake. The view is well worth the hike.
BeDrinkable - Jan 19, 2011 2:11 pm Date Climbed: Sep 16, 2004
Nice views, hike.Walked up from Grandjean. It was longer than I expected, but obviously worth it.
mountaingazelle - Jan 10, 2011 5:57 pm Date Climbed: Jul 12, 2002
Observation PeakI've hiked up Observation Peak twice. The first was on July 12, 2002 as a day hike from Stanley Lake trailhead. The second was on September 4, 2005 during a backpacking loop in the Sawtooths.
SawtoothSean - Jan 10, 2011 1:38 pm Date Climbed: Nov 16, 2008
Many TimesThis is a great intro peak to the range, or good hike with the family.