Toughest day of hiking probably of my whole life lol
Start early!! Especially if you're not camped at the Redfish Inlet Campground. The last shuttle across the lake leaves at 7pm, and if you miss it you're looking at an additional 6 mile hike around the lake to get back to Redfish Lodge. Several people tried to explain to us how to get to Braxon, but we still got lost a couple of times. There's no need to go up super sketchy looking chutes or do a major amount of bush-whacking. Get to the Super Slabs (ask someone for clarification on where this is because I can't really remember since we got so lost). Once at the slabs, hike up staying on the right side of them until you get to the top of them. Then traverse left until you get to a huge boulder field. If it doesn't look like a boulder field, don't go up it!! That is the only correct and safe way to get to the base lakes. The boulder field goes up and up for a long time, then you'll arrive at the base lakes. Pretty straightforward from there. Because we got lost and it was such a long day, it was truly one of my hardest days hiking ever, and I'm experienced! I cried when I reached the top because I was so relieved! I think if you actually know how to get there, it would be SO much easier!
Once you cross the two long bridges continue to the single short wooden bridge. Once you pass the elephants perch turn off (river crossing on the left) the trail takes a sharp right just after this and this is where you leave the trail to avoid thick brush. There was some tracks but don't expect an obvious trail like some people say. If you hit a large rock with water pouring down it (or water marks) this is not the super slabs. There is thick brush to the right of this water fall rock and is not the right way, go to the left of this rock, there is no need for bushwacking on the correct route. Once you find the super slabs on through the forest to the west (easy looking rock climbing slabs) stay to the right (northwest) of them. From leaving the trail to the base of the slabs takes 10-20 min and they will be about 300 ft uphill. The slabs are easy to follow along the right (northwest) all the way to the top and lightly traveled. From the top head left (south) across the top of the slabs until you hit a boulder field. Go to the far end and to the right (west) you'll see the easy boulder field chute with sharp peaks along both sides to the two small base lakes (seen on the map and google maps with your location on). If you pass the boulder field and hit thick bushes you passed the chute. The base lakes are the two small lakes to the southeast of Braxon. From the upper base lake we went left to the middle of the ridge and found a good chute to the top. Our friend stayed low to the right and found another relatively easy chute on the lower end of the ridge. straightforward walk up to the top after that. I'll add some pictures when I figure out how on mobile so no one gets lost again!
Approached via Redfish and then dropped by Coyote Tower into Monolith Basin. From there, we traversed over to the saddle at the base of Heyburn's Stur Chimney and came back via Bench Lakes. Shuttle Boat at Redfish is $12 one way or $17 per person round trip (ouch)
sjaxon16 - Aug 20, 2016 12:31 pm Date Climbed: Jul 21, 2016
Braxon Peak!
Best one yet!
mansfieo - Jul 9, 2012 12:54 pm Date Climbed: Jun 27, 2012
Best Views in Sawtooths!
Oh boy, great glissading even in a low snow year for the Sawtooths!
Would love to come earlier and ski for a few days
SawtoothExplorer - Jul 21, 2009 1:39 am Date Climbed: Jun 27, 2009
South gully XC to east ridge
Perfect conditions. Not a cloud in the sky the view from the top is definitely worth the bushwhack. And it is a serious bushwhack :) Both lakes were completely frozen over and the glisade descent was awesome took me 30 minutes to get back to the lake from the summit :)
Scrambling Man - Jul 16, 2008 6:39 pm Date Climbed: Jul 6, 2008
Killer Views
By chance we ran into Sper "sprosseda" at the point where you leave Redfish Creek trail. It was fun to have him join us for the trip and hear about his travels in Idaho and the Tetons. Great views of the Tooths.
Climbed with SP Scrambling Man, his wife, and dog. Great 360 view from summit of course as most know. Short day trip with steep, cliffy, first half bushwack. Easy sand and snow slopes above 9,000 ft lake. Cool mountain (be careful on slabby cliffs though). Broad sandy summit you could camp on.
Route Climbed: South Gulley from Redfish Creek Date Climbed: July 12, 2004
One of the best views in the Sawtooths. A pretty straightforward scramble up from Redfish Creek to an amazing tarn lake nestled just south of Braxon. Then up to the above ridge where the Rotten Monolith (very prominent from Stanley) is viewed. The summit is very inconspicous
Route Climbed: East Ridge Date Climbed: August 6th/05
This mountain is all about the views. If you wanna scout out some climbs in the area, climb this one first. Its longer than appears on the TOPO but sure is worth it!
Super Dave - Aug 14, 2022 6:58 pm Date Climbed: Aug 6, 2022
From Redfish CreekBeautiful day and outstanding views! Trip Report
katelyngeselle - Jul 29, 2020 4:32 pm Date Climbed: Jul 20, 2020
Toughest day of hiking probably of my whole life lolStart early!! Especially if you're not camped at the Redfish Inlet Campground. The last shuttle across the lake leaves at 7pm, and if you miss it you're looking at an additional 6 mile hike around the lake to get back to Redfish Lodge. Several people tried to explain to us how to get to Braxon, but we still got lost a couple of times. There's no need to go up super sketchy looking chutes or do a major amount of bush-whacking. Get to the Super Slabs (ask someone for clarification on where this is because I can't really remember since we got so lost). Once at the slabs, hike up staying on the right side of them until you get to the top of them. Then traverse left until you get to a huge boulder field. If it doesn't look like a boulder field, don't go up it!! That is the only correct and safe way to get to the base lakes. The boulder field goes up and up for a long time, then you'll arrive at the base lakes. Pretty straightforward from there. Because we got lost and it was such a long day, it was truly one of my hardest days hiking ever, and I'm experienced! I cried when I reached the top because I was so relieved! I think if you actually know how to get there, it would be SO much easier!
wyatt_meyers - Jul 23, 2020 2:47 pm Date Climbed: Jul 20, 2020
Trouble finding the route but made itOnce you cross the two long bridges continue to the single short wooden bridge. Once you pass the elephants perch turn off (river crossing on the left) the trail takes a sharp right just after this and this is where you leave the trail to avoid thick brush. There was some tracks but don't expect an obvious trail like some people say. If you hit a large rock with water pouring down it (or water marks) this is not the super slabs. There is thick brush to the right of this water fall rock and is not the right way, go to the left of this rock, there is no need for bushwacking on the correct route. Once you find the super slabs on through the forest to the west (easy looking rock climbing slabs) stay to the right (northwest) of them. From leaving the trail to the base of the slabs takes 10-20 min and they will be about 300 ft uphill. The slabs are easy to follow along the right (northwest) all the way to the top and lightly traveled. From the top head left (south) across the top of the slabs until you hit a boulder field. Go to the far end and to the right (west) you'll see the easy boulder field chute with sharp peaks along both sides to the two small base lakes (seen on the map and google maps with your location on). If you pass the boulder field and hit thick bushes you passed the chute. The base lakes are the two small lakes to the southeast of Braxon. From the upper base lake we went left to the middle of the ridge and found a good chute to the top. Our friend stayed low to the right and found another relatively easy chute on the lower end of the ridge. straightforward walk up to the top after that. I'll add some pictures when I figure out how on mobile so no one gets lost again!
SawtoothSean - Sep 16, 2019 9:39 pm Date Climbed: Sep 14, 2019
Redfish Creek approach, Bench Lakes decentApproached via Redfish and then dropped by Coyote Tower into Monolith Basin. From there, we traversed over to the saddle at the base of Heyburn's Stur Chimney and came back via Bench Lakes. Shuttle Boat at Redfish is $12 one way or $17 per person round trip (ouch)
sjaxon16 - Aug 20, 2016 12:31 pm Date Climbed: Jul 21, 2016
Braxon Peak!Best one yet!
mansfieo - Jul 9, 2012 12:54 pm Date Climbed: Jun 27, 2012
Best Views in Sawtooths!Oh boy, great glissading even in a low snow year for the Sawtooths!
Would love to come earlier and ski for a few days
SawtoothExplorer - Jul 21, 2009 1:39 am Date Climbed: Jun 27, 2009
South gully XC to east ridgePerfect conditions. Not a cloud in the sky the view from the top is definitely worth the bushwhack. And it is a serious bushwhack :) Both lakes were completely frozen over and the glisade descent was awesome took me 30 minutes to get back to the lake from the summit :)
Scrambling Man - Jul 16, 2008 6:39 pm Date Climbed: Jul 6, 2008
Killer ViewsBy chance we ran into Sper "sprosseda" at the point where you leave Redfish Creek trail. It was fun to have him join us for the trip and hear about his travels in Idaho and the Tetons. Great views of the Tooths.
sprosseda - Jul 10, 2008 6:05 pm Date Climbed: Jul 6, 2008
South gully XC to east ridgeClimbed with SP Scrambling Man, his wife, and dog. Great 360 view from summit of course as most know. Short day trip with steep, cliffy, first half bushwack. Easy sand and snow slopes above 9,000 ft lake. Cool mountain (be careful on slabby cliffs though). Broad sandy summit you could camp on.
Scrambling Man - Jul 16, 2008 6:47 pm
Re: South gully XC to east ridgeLet me know if you are in this area again next year and need a hiking partner. Cheers.
Scrambling Man - Feb 14, 2006 4:45 am Date Climbed: Jul 3, 2005
Climbed East RidgeTremendous views. Made the climb with two hiking buddies from the Midwest.
SawtoothSean - Dec 29, 2005 1:43 am
Route Climbed: South Gulley from Redfish Creek Date Climbed: July 12, 2004One of the best views in the Sawtooths. A pretty straightforward scramble up from Redfish Creek to an amazing tarn lake nestled just south of Braxon. Then up to the above ridge where the Rotten Monolith (very prominent from Stanley) is viewed. The summit is very inconspicous
IdahoKid - Aug 7, 2005 11:06 am
Route Climbed: East Ridge Date Climbed: August 6th/05This mountain is all about the views. If you wanna scout out some climbs in the area, climb this one first. Its longer than appears on the TOPO but sure is worth it!