From Grandjean to Baron Creek Falls 6/22/08

So, Ever since last year when Jeff and I had gone to the saddle back lakes, I wanted to get back to the sawtooths. This trip was planed to go from Grandjean to as far up the trail as we could before we got skunked by snow. Now this winter was a heavy snow year with a cold spring so my expectations where not high. I wanted to scout out this trail as well to see if there would be a possibility of hiking from Grandjean to Redfish in one day. So we started the day early with the four of us, our hiked was a little longer then it needed to be due to a fallen tree in the road two miles from the trail head. The mile and a half to the wilderness boundary is level, wide and well maintained, out side of the "lost dog" which came to be known as the "wolf that was following us" this section was pretty uneventful. From there it is another two miles to the sawtooth lake/baron creek junction. this section from the wilderness boundary to this junction is pretty burned out and would need to be hiked early in the morning if doing it in the late summer months. However due to the burned out nature of this hike you can see the Sawtooths all around you, with Payette peak being one of the first on your right. After this junction the fire followed up the valley that leads to sawtooth lake, and did not affect the valley that follows baron creek, this puts you in the middle of a old growth Douglas fur forest. there is a stream crossing right before the junction but there is a very large log on your right to cross which was no problem even in the height of the "spring run off." the trail follows this wooded section for another, four and a half miles until you first see Baron falls. there is one more stream crossing, however this crossing is spanned by another log as well. Of note at about six and a half miles up the trail there appears to be a large camping spot near to the creek, this would be a good stop over if you where to get a late start or just got tired. Through this valley that follows baron creek, to the right you will see numerous waterfalls and unnamed peaks and valleys, Jeff, Nate, and I refereed to this as the "ugly" section of the hike, on the through hike to Redfish, though if you have ever been to the Sawtooths there is no such thing as "ulgy". Once you see baron falls the trail begins to switch back and forth however never becomes terribly steep. One thing that I have noticed in the Sawtooths is that the switch backs are appropriate and gradual, for the most part. you begin to get out of the trees and on to some exposed terrain this exposed terrain will be with you as you climb to the top of baron creek falls about 7200ft and 10 miles into you trip, don't forget to walk out on to the rocks above the falls, the views of the valley under the Barron Tower and the valley that you just walked up are spectacular. at this point we began to see snow and did not get much farther then the meadow right above the falls. we decided to lose our packs and attempt to explore but were skunked quickly by the snow level and where not able to get over the bridge that leads up the valley to Barron Lakes. We packed up and headed back. We left our car at about 8:30 am and returned and about 5:00 because of the extra four miles the total round trip mileage was about 25 miles. It is a great hike with a spectacular payoff for the early summer, and prior to the July 4th window, that is traditional in the Sawtooths. The hike is relatively flat with mild elevation gain which makes it a great beginners hike. Water was never a problem and with the spring run off baron falls was pouring at full capacity. I like the hike out of Grandjean for many reasons but I think the major reason is the solitude,in comparion to the stanley and the shorter drive from Boise is a major payoff.