Purple Penstemon at the Lakeside

Horizontal orientation. Canvas prints are available with optional barnwood or hardwood floating frames hand-crafted by the photographer, making a truly unique and one-of-a-kind piece of art. Please see images for details.

The magnificent Sawtooth Mountains in central Idaho are popular for photography, as well as hiking, camping, and other outdoor activities. The Alice-Toxaway Loop is one of the most popular hikes in the Stanley area, beginning at the Tin Cup Trailhead and passing Farley, Toxaway, Twin, and Alice Lakes along the way. I backpacked the loop the last week of July 2026, hiking 13 miles the first day, so that I could be at the base of the steepest climb in the morning. Where I camped for the first night, there were three unnamed lakes with a creek connecting each. I followed the creek in the evening until I came to this, the smallest of the 3 lakes. The evening was calm and quiet, and as I approached the lake, I came across this patch of purple Penstemon on the grassy hillside at the lake’s edge. The purple complemented the turquoise water, and the partially obscured sun allowed the colors to pop. Even the sky was dramatic, and the scene was stunning. I laid down at the level of the flowers for this shot, and then rested there among the flowers for a while soaking in the beauty.