Smoky Sunrise at Yellowbelly Lake

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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. Not far from the trail in the first few miles is this beautiful mountain lake called Yellowbelly Lake. I took a detour from the main trail and stopped at this lake to take a few images as the sun was rising. The air was quite smoky from some recent wildfires, and this in combination with the clouds gave the sky an unusual hazy orange and gold glow. The calm water reflected the sun and clouds perfectly, and the mountains in the distance faded into the haze. I ate some breakfast here on the shore and took several photos before continuing my hike. The morning stayed rather hazy, and it took most of the day for the smoke to clear out. I hiked 13 miles that first day, so that I could be at the base of the steepest climb in the morning.