Betty, Goat, and Baptie Lake Trail
(Goat Lake is Idaho's highest lake)

Goat Lake is the highest lake in Idaho at an elevation of 10,438 feet. The trail to these extreme elevation lakes begins at Broad Canyon Trailhead with a starting elevation of 7,800 feet. The trail to Baptie Lake goes four miles up Broad Canyon then forks a half mile before the lake. Most of the elevation is gained the last mile. The trail then goes on to Goat Lake and Betty Lake making it about 6 miles in. There are also some great scrambles to Standhope Peak (11,850 ft), Altair Peak (12,550 ft) and Peak 11887. This area invites exploration and the routes to the peaks are class 2 and 3, making them fairly accessible. The elevation gain of this hike is just under 3,000 feet not including the ups and downs. So you will want to be in good physical condition to tackle this hike. But the trip is well worth the effort. This area is wide open with incredible views of the surrounding mountain peaks and valleys. If you love high, wide open hiking this is the place for you.
Betty, Goat, and Baptie Lake Trail

Getting There: From Sun Valley, drive northeast on Sun Valley–Trail Creek road for 22.5 miles, going over Trail Creek Summit. Turn right at Copper Basin Road. Drive 2 miles and then turn left to stay on Copper Basin Road. Drive another 11 miles to the junction with Copper Basin Loop Road and veer right. From this junction, it's 8 miles to the Broad Canyon turnoff. Go right for another half mile and park along the road. Do not cross the creek, as the road becomes rough.

The trail starts at Copper Basin and then goes up Broad Canyon. The first mile is pretty gentle before the climbing starts. Then at 3.5 miles, the trail comes to a junction wich is part of a loop from Baptie Lake to Goat Lake to Betty Lake. There's a 400-foot saddle between Betty and Goat Lakes, the climb is well worth the views of Standhope Peak and the Pioneer Mountains.

Location: Pioneer Mountains. Challis National Forest
Trailhead: Broad Canyon Trailhead. Follow this trail 4 miles, taking the left fork .5 miles from the Baptie lake
Elevation: Trailhead is 7,800 ft. Baptie Lake 10,150 ft, Goat Lake 10,438 ft
Trail Length: 12 miles roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 2,638 ft
Maps: USGS: Standhope Peak and Copper Basin
Pictures: Goat Lake, Betty Lake, Baptie Lake, all the lakes together
Closest Town: Sun Valley

Forest Information:
Lost River Ranger District
716 W Custer
P.O. Box 507
Mackay, Idaho 83251
Phone: (208) 588-3400