Smoky Mountains (Idaho)

Smoky Mountains
A photo of Bald Mountain in winter
Bald Mountain in the Smoky Mountains
Highest point
PeakSaviers Peak
Elevation10,441 ft (3,182 m)
Coordinates43°49′19″N 114°42′47″W / 43.821944°N 114.713056°W / 43.821944; -114.713056
Dimensions
Length45 mi (72 km) N/S
Width39 mi (63 km) E/W
Area877 sq mi (2,270 km2)
Geography
Map
CountryUnited States
StateIdaho
Parent rangeRocky Mountains

The Smoky Mountains are part of the Rocky Mountains and located on the west side of the Wood River Valley near Sun Valley, Idaho, in the Western United States. The range is within Sawtooth National Forest, while part of it is within the Sawtooth National Recreation Area.[1] The highest point in the range is Saviers Peak at 10,441 ft (3,182 m).[2]

The Smoky Mountains area is closely surrounded by other mountain ranges including the Sawtooth Mountains to the northwest, Boulder Mountains to the north, Pioneer Mountains to the east, and Soldier Mountains to the south. The Smoky Mountains are located within the watersheds of the Big Wood, Salmon, and Boise Rivers. The mountains are most easily accessed from Idaho State Highway 75, although many unimproved and improved dirt roads, including National Forest road 227, enter and cross the mountains.

The Smoky Mountains were named from the frequent forest fires in the mountains. In 2007 the Castle Rock Fire burned 48,000 acres (19,000 ha) of the Smoky Mountains near Ketchum.[3][4]

  1. ^ Sawtooth National Forest (Map) (2012 ed.). 1:126,720. Sawtooth National Forest, U.S. Forest Service.
  2. ^ "Smoky Mountains". SummitPost.org. Retrieved January 17, 2012.
  3. ^ Kauffman, Jason (31 August 2007). "Castle Rock Fire battle ends where it began". Idaho Mountain Express. Ketchum, ID. Archived from the original on April 13, 2014. Retrieved February 5, 2012.
  4. ^ Wutz, Katherine (August 27, 2010). "Still scarred – but new life emerges". Idaho Mountain Express. Ketchum, ID. Archived from the original on March 1, 2014. Retrieved February 5, 2012.