Sawtooth help

I'm planning a 2 week trip starting Sep 28-Oct 14 in Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming (Sawtooths, Yellowstone, and Tetons). Having never been to the Sawtooth Range, can anyone give me info on fall color timing and locations there? I'm planning a stop in Stanley, but other than that am open. I know there are some wildfires so that should be fun to work around. I'll be moving the Yellowstone and Tetons starting Oct 6th.

Thanks!

Oh, Amy, I want to see pictures of you moving the Tetons!

Moving the Tetons... oh my! not quite sure what I did there, but i'm pretty sure i was trying to say roaming or visiting. must've been day dreaming. lol!!!

Photograph America has an issue on the Sawtooths, Amy. You might check that out.

Ive never been there, but Stanley is the coolest (and coldest) town in America!

I can't help with the fall color schedule but I was in Stanley this summer for a few days and might be able to help with questions. You can ck my FB pics https://www.facebook.com/bob.miller.90475 and feel free to message me with any questions.

Monika- I have a subscription to PA and am thoroughly studying issues 74 & 75 (I've been to Tetons 3-4 times, but one can always learn new things)!

I've been to the Stanley area close to a dozen times over the years. It's not a place I would go to photograph fall colors, since it is predominately evergreen forest, very few aspen groves to speak of, however it is great for mountain scenics (Little Redfish Lake is very good). Plus there are a number of public hot springs (eg. one along the Main Salmon, downstream from Stanley, and one along the South Fork of the Payette, west of Stanley). The Tetons are usually great in the first week of October for fall color. Yellowstone doesn't have a lot of aspen but the road between Tower Junction and the NE corner of the park have some good Cottonwood and a few aspen.

Contemplating a few days in Banff/Jasper National Parks in Canada starting Oct. 5th. Anyone interested? Photography will be my main pursuit, of course. I've got a week alone and am thinking either Canada or Alaska, though the AK drive might kill me. Also thinking about MT/ID/Palouse shooting.

I'll be in Stanley this upcoming weekend fishing and can provide you a report afterwards. The Sawtooths are awesome mountains, very rugged and beautiful. There can be some colors amount the aspens, cottonwoods and some low lying bushes, but it's short lived. The drive from Ketchum to Stanley may be great, but, as you noted, there has been a major fire there this year. I think the main part of the burnt areas visible from road is closer to Hailey to Ketchum area, but upi may be able to see it from higher elevations looking down towards west on the way up to Galena, but I'm not sure. North of Galena should be fine.

Kathryn- thanks for the feedback. I'll look forward to your report. I'm good with not having fall colors there- i'll have the Tetons and Yellowstone (yes, I realize YEL is very limited in tree colors). I'm hoping for some grand scenics- snow capped mountains reflected in still lakes and framed by evergreens and blue skies! Not asking for much...

Well, it was yucky fishing as the erosion from the rain last week on the burnt soil caused massive erosion into the streams feeding into the Salmon River below Basin Creek making it very muddy and brown. However, here is report. The burn area visible from the road is just north of Hailey, ID. From Ketchum on (going north) is still very beautiful. Some colors are starting to show now so may hold on until you get there. Best photographic opportunities may be 1. Inlet of Stanley Lake, 2. Redfish Lake, 3. Petit Lake. Colors are best seen on either side of Galena Summit if still around by the time you get there. It is still very scenic anyway. What route are you taking as I'm trying to figure out how you plan to get from there to Yellowstone and Jackson. Anyway, next weekend I will be going through Stanley again on my way through Challis, then south on 93 paralleling Lost River Range to Arco.