SAWTOOTH NATIONAL FOREST, ID
Taylor Canyon Loop was my first hike in Idaho and was just a 15 minute drive from my Airbnb in Ketchum. The 4 mile loop has a total elevation gain of 1,196' ... with 860' in the first mile. It was a good workout!
Here is the view climbing up.
The hillsides were spotted with these gorgeous yellow flowers. Check it out:
Other than some cheery yellow flowers and a tail-kicking workout, there was nothing spectacular about the climb in. And then you climb over a ridge to THIS.
The mountain range you see in this pic is called the Smoky Mountains. Off to the right, just out of the frame, is a range of snow-capped mountains which I believe are the Boulder Mountains.
Here is another view of the valley, where you can see the hills tinged yellow with wildflowers. You can also see why they named these the Smoky Mountains with the bit of haze blurring them.
Total miles = 4.06
Total elevation gain = 1,196'
Peak elevation = 7,493'