Yellowbelly Trail

Yellowbelly Trail is a moderate, designated hiking route in Idaho’s Sawtooth Wilderness area, best done from the Pettit Lake side. The trip length is about 8.85 km (out-and-back), with a relatively small total elevation change for a wilderness approach (computed ~363 ft).

A common strategy is to start at Pettit Lake and walk the first stretch before the trail gets into the woods. Where permitted/possible, Forest Road 365 can be used with high-clearance vehicles to cut about 1.5–2 miles of that early road walking. If you’re trying to reduce road time, this is the one decision that changes the feel of the hike the most.

Once you’re past the initial road portion, the route spends much of its effort in wooded terrain, including creek-adjacent travel that trends gradual. The trail stays easy to follow relative to many wilderness approaches, with excellent trail visibility noted for this route.

Route character shifts toward the lakes: after the creek-side section and the steady climbing toward higher basins, the corridor reaches Farley Lake and then continues on toward Toxaway Lake. Expect a wilderness day organized around lake-to-lake progression rather than frequent route junctions.

A key decision point on the way north is the junction of Edith Lake Trail #040, where the route connects with an offshoot climbing to Edith Lake. Staying on Yellowbelly Trail keeps you headed toward the “TOXWAY” direction and on to the final push into Toxaway Lake area.

If you want more than a point-to-point lake day, the broader value of Yellowbelly Trail is how it links to adjacent Sawtooth destinations—often used to reach Alice Lake, Edith Lake, or continue on toward the Redfish Lake area. In practice, most parties treat Yellowbelly as the main spine for a longer wilderness itinerary rather than as an isolated hike.

Because this is wilderness terrain, a self-issued wilderness permit is required; the registration process happens at the trailhead when you arrive. Timing matters here: the best hiking window is generally mid-summer into early fall as snowmelt clears higher ground.

More information: Hiking Trails \u0026 Parks, Yellowbelly Trail - American Trails, Edith Lake via Yellowbelly Trail | Blaine County | Idaho - Hiiker