STORY AND PHOTO BY KAREN BOSSICK

Arlen Crouch, the owner of Redfish Lake Lodge, will receive the prestigious Champion of the Sawtooth’s award at the 2024 Sagebrush Soiree.

The Soiree, a fundraiser for the Sawtooth Society, will be held on Thursday, July 18, at Pioneer Park in Stanley.

Crouch, a native of Jerome, has been at the helm of the Redfish Lake Lodge—his wife Derrel by his side—since 1999. He has guided it with a deep respect for the natural beauty and historical significance of the 756,000-acre Sawtooth National Recreation Area (SNRA), said Kathryn Grohusky executive director of the Sawtooth Society.

Crouch fell in love for the SNRA, which encompasses the beautiful Sawtooth Mountains and Redfish and other lakes, as a child when he accompanied his parents to the area. His love has only grown stronger overtime.

Under the stewardship of the Crouch family, Redfish Lake Lodge has not only flourished as a resort but has also played a pivotal role in conserving the natural wonders and historical essence of the area, said Grohusky. This commitment to preservation and environmental stewardship is a testament to their dedication to the SNRA, she added.

The log lodge was built by Robert Limbert in 1929 on 16 acres of U.S. Forest-Service-permitted landi on the north shore of the five-mile-long glacial Redfish Lake

The rustic cabins were updated in 2006 but still maintain a rustic feel that blends in with the landscape.

In addition, Crouch is a director of the Sawtooth Society, a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving, protecting and enhancing the recreational area for humans, wildlife and the land.

His Redfish Lake Lodge will be the presenting sponsor the of the 2024 Sagebrush Soiree, generously contributing to the event.

Learn more about the Sawtooth Society at https://sawtoothsociety.org/.