As I left Sun Valley in my rear view Mirror, I had my GPS pointing me towards McCall, Idaho.  I wanted to go over the mountain pass outside of Sun Valley.  Sometimes the GPS would show me this route, and other times my only options were to go back through Sun Valley and through Boise, Idaho.  I finally got it to point me to the mountain pass and off I went.

It was quite a beautiful drive over the mountains and on the other side were these beautiful rocky peaks, some still had snow.  It was an even more beautiful place to me, then Sun Valley, and much less crowded.

This place had a great feeling.  I saw a dirt road off to the left with a sign that said Pettit Lake.  I made a spontaneous turn and headed the two miles of dirty, dusty road to one of the most beautiful places.  I got the last available campsite.

Borrowed from the Sawtooth National Forest USDA Website:

Pettit Lake Campground is located approximately two miles west of Hwy 75 on FS Rd 208. It is in a secluded area next to Pettit Lake nestled at the base of rolling hills and majestic peaks. Swimming, fishing, kayaking and canoeing are wonderful activities for Pettit lake. There are 9 single-sites and 3 double-sites which are all first-come, first-serve. Tin Cup trailhead leading into the beautiful Sawtooth Wilderness is located at the north end of the campground. There is a day use picnic area adjacent to the campground. Personal watercraft are not allowed on Pettit lake.

When I stopped at my campsite, I got out of the van and immediately hiked down a nearby trail to check out the views on the side of the lake.  They were incredible.  I loved this place.  When I came back to the van the camp host Rachel, was waiting for me.  “I was wondering where you were,” she said.  She asked me if I would be staying and I noticed my van was in the direct sun and it was still quite hot out.  She said “well, we have some cloud cover, and there are some thunder storms coming in.”  I said “okay, I am staying and gave her the $16.00 fee for the night.

Rachel was a young woman, most likely a free spirit like myself, who decided to leave her former life behind and try out camp hosting.  She lived in a Class B Motor-home at the park.  After we talked for a while she told me she liked me and found me really interesting.  I said “thank you, I like you too.”

That evening Rachel swung by my camp and we chatted some more.  She expressed an interest in music, so I showed her my new instrument, the strum stick, and played my new song for her.  Before long we were both singing my theme song.

I took two hikes along the lake trail.  One that evening and further down the trail in the morning.  It was truly an incredible place.  No cell phone service.  Just peace and quiet.

After a beautiful morning hike along the lake, I packed up the van to move to my next destination.  I was truly happy to have stumbled upon Lake Pettit.  This was the kind of place that made my spirit soar.