In the Sawtooth mountains

2.9. -5.9. We will go to Ketchum to do laundry and go shopping, then we will go to the Sawtooths for hiking. Stanley, the main town, is very small (63 inhabitants) and apart from a supermarket, it also has a gas station and one or two restaurants. The campground at Pettit Lake is full, but it doesn't matter because you can camp for free around the campground. We have a nice evening and spend the night in the forest. The night is very cold (most likely below zero) and we alternate freezing in our sleeping bags.

In the morning, it will take me at least 1.5 hours to warm up in the sun. We absolutely don't want to freeze in the mountains for the next few days, so we first go back to Stanley to buy a blanket. Unfortunately, our VISA card is not working again and we have to call Switzerland again to solve the problem. After that, we enjoy the afternoon at the Hot Cove Hot Springs, a small stream of almost boiling water that flows into the Salmon River. The locals have created small pools with stones where the water temperature is just right. Only the ground bubbles in some places and you burn your little butt. But with a glass of wine and good reading material, that's just a minor issue. We end the day at Stanley Lake where tourists paddle and kayak.

In the evening, we return to Pettit Lake to spend the night.

Despite the blanket, the temperatures at night are not much more pleasant. Our desire for multi-day hiking is close to zero, especially since we are struggling with hip and back pain. With a heavy heart, we decide to leave the Sawtooths and head to lower areas where we hope for warmer conditions. Along the Payette River, the road winds towards McCall, a tourist town on a large and beautiful lake. On the way, we visit a street market by the roadside, which mainly offers antiques. A welcome change. Our destination is the town of Burgdorf, which we discovered on the map. We imagine finding Swiss roots there and having interesting conversations. Unfortunately, Burgdorf is nothing more than a mini campground and a lodge with hot springs, which is closed for a private investor. Disappointed, we move on and enjoy a beer flight at the McCall Brewing Company after the approximately 100km detour. On the way to the parking lot, we encounter a deer strolling through the streets of McCall.

We have dinner slightly outside on a trailhead parking lot, which is actually unusual because camping is prohibited on most trailheads.