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RIVERS AND LAKES
Salmon, Idaho, boasts
two world renowned wild and scenic rivers: the Main
Salmon and the Middle Fork of the Salmon River.
Alone, these two rivers attract well over 20,000
visitors from all over the world each year. Other
major tributaries in the area include the East Fork
and the North Fork of the Salmon, the Lemhi River,
and the Pahsimeroi River, home to the Pahsimeroi
Fish Hatchery.
Known as “The River of No Return,” the Salmon River
is the longest free flowing river within one state
in the lower 48. Experience one of the few remaining
un-damned waterways in America on a guided rafting
adventure or a private river trip of your own.
Enjoy viewing an abundance of animal life such as
deer, elk, black bear, bighorn sheep, mountain
goats, cougar, moose, bobcat, coyote, red fox, etc.,
which all can be seen throughout the rugged
mountains and grassy plains through which the rivers
passes.
The Main Salmon River carves the second deepest
canyon in North America, (deeper than the famous
Grand Canyon) second only to Idaho’s Hell’s Canyon.
Approximately 180 miles of the Salmon Canyon is more
than one mile deep. Carved through mostly
metamorphic rock, nowhere in this spectacular high
desert canyon is it as dramatic as where it has
penetrated the igneous granite of the Idaho
Batholith.
Mountain lakes abound
in the Salmon area. The most accessible is Williams
Lake, 11 campsites near Williams Lake, on Lake
Creek. Hike or ride into the Salmon National Forest.
Fishing in the lake and the creek. Lake is accessed
at the Forest Service boat ramp & day use area. Iron
Lake is accessible by road (4WD is recommended) and
is well worth a day trip or longer. Wallace Lake
also accessible by road and only 32 miles beautiful
high mountain lake with great view of the
surrounding valley. The Bighorn crags are riddled
with high Alpine lakes, (which are in turn riddled
with fish) mostly accessible by foot or horseback,
as are many others in the area.
It is no wonder that the many rivers, tributaries
and lakes the Salmon area has to offer that it has
been a desirable fishing destination for both the
avid and recreational fisherman alike.
MOUNTAINS
Situated at the base of
the Continental Divide, in the Northern Rocky
Mountains, Salmon, Idaho is within easy reach of
several major peaks, many over 10,000 feet, and an
ideal base for a backcountry adventure.
Ajax, Cooperhead, Freeman, Monument, and Sacajawea
Peaks of the Beaverhead Mountains in the Bitterroot
Range of the Continental Divide form the eastern
border between Idaho and Montana. The Lemhi
Mountains rise between the Lemhi and Salmon Rivers,
and the Salmon River Mountains flank the Salmon
River to the West. Most prominent in the Salmon
River Range are the Bighorn Crags, located in the
Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness.
Lemhi Pass, southeast of Salmon, at the top
of Agency Creek is part of the Lewis & Clark Back
Country Byway. At 7,323 feet elevation this
historical pass is the site where, in 1805, the
Lewis and Clark Corp of Discovery expedition first
saw the headwaters of the Columbia River. Open from
June to early fall to motorists it is a favorite for
the snowmobilers in the winter on the groomed
trails.
Lost Trail Pass located on Hwy 93, 45 miles
N. of Salmon, is open year round and provides
panoramic views of the area at 7,014 feet, and the
best access to all forms of winter recreation. The
Lost Trail Ski area offer 5 lifts to over acres of
superb runs.
Gilmore Summit located south of Salmon on Hwy
28 is the easiest of the passes into the Salmon
Valley. Take a side trip and have a picnic at Meadow
Lake or visit the old ghost town of Gilmore.
BACKCOUNTRY TRAILS
The Lewis & Clark
Trail crosses Lemhi County and opportunities abound
to re-live the Lewis & Clark adventure. It was here
that the expedition crossed the Continental Divide
searching for a water route to the Pacific only to
be turned back by the turbulent waters of the Salmon
River.
The Nez Perce National Historic Trail enters Lemhi
County near the town of Leadore.
In addition to these historic trails, the mountains
and foothills surrounding Salmon are laced with
hiking, biking, skiing, snowmobiling, ATV and
horseback riding trails.
Wilderness
The Frank Church River
of No Return Wilderness the largest Wilderness Area
in the lower 48 states., encompassing the Middle
Fork of the Salmon River, and bordering much of the
Main Salmon River, is connected to the
Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness to the north, and the
Gospel Hump Wilderness to the northwest. The
proximity to this vast primitive area, positions
Salmon, Idaho, as one of the best jumping off points
for backcountry forays into the central Idaho
Wilderness.
WILDLIFE
If it is wildlife viewing that you seek,
then there is no better place to visit than the
Salmon Idaho. Just driving through will offer you
the chance to see Bald Eagles, Osprey, Red Tail
Hawks, Antelope, Elk, Big Horn Sheep and of course
deer, both Mule and White Tail. At times motorists
are treated to Moose, Black Bear and Mountain Goat
as well. There is no fee to drive our wildlife
corridor, and the animals you’ll see are wild and
unprotected, unlike those you find in many National
Wildlife Parks. But don’t settle for what you may
see from the road, the best wildlife encounters are
waiting for you just down the trail, or around the
bend!
HOT SPRINGS
Gold Bug Hot Springs –
undeveloped, approximately 20 miles south on Hwy 93,
just south of Elk Bend. Includes 2.5 miles
moderately Springs – developed, along the
Backcountry Byway off Hwy 28. ot springs.
Sharkey Hot Springs – undeveloped
Panther Creek Hot strenuous hike to the h, currently
out of use due to mud slides.
Horse Creek Hot Springs – semi-developed, off the
Salmon River Road, need USFS map.
GHOST TOWNS
Gilmore
Follow Highway 28 South of
Salmon (approximately 60 miles), and you will reach
Gilmore Summit and the old mining town of Gilmore.
Deserted during the depression of 1929, about 40
buildings still remain. The Gilmore & Pittsburg
Railroad, better known as the G & P or “Get Off and
Push” Railroad, ran between Armstead, Montana,
Salmon and Gilmore, Idaho.
Leesburg
Along with four friends, Frank Barney
Sharkey discovered gold in 1866 below the North Fork
of the Salmon River. The mining town of Leesburg
grew to a population of seven thousand in a few
short years. It is estimated that as much as $40
million in gold has been removed from the mines of
Leesburg, a town named after General Lee by it’s
residents, mostly soldiers of the Civil War. By the
end of World War II the town was mostly deserted -
only a few cabins stand today.
Nicholia Charcoal Kilns
Nicholia was established in 1885 when a
two stack smelter was built. By 1889, Nicholia had a
population of over fifteen hundred people. The Viola
Mine was located high on a ridge behind the town and
tramways brought the ore to the smelter. Evidence of
the old tramway can still be seen. The charcoal
kilns built to supply the smelter with fuel are
located across the valley. Four of the original
sixteen kilns remain standing today. Self Guided
Tour.
Shoup
Along the River Road, West of North Fork,
on the banks of the Salmon River, is the Historic
township of Shoup, established in 1881. Once a
thriving gold mining town, Shoup, re-named after
Idaho's Governor Shoup, still survives as a remote
outpost (population 4) servicing the many
adventurers who come to enjoy the river canyon each
year. Although most of the mining cabins are in
ruin, many historic cabins remain in tact and in
use, not least the old log schoolhouse, which now
provides lodging for fishermen, hunters and rafters.
Many historic mills and mining equipment also remain
along the canyon, and until 2004, gold mine tours
were available daily at the largest gold mine in the
area. Now, tours are available only through guided
river trip operators. Explore this living relic and
learn how the “ River of No Return” got its name.
Other Ghost Towns
Blackbird
Cobalt
Grantsville
Hahn
Kingville
Lava
Leadville
Reno
Smithville
Summit City
Yellowjacket
SCENIC BYWAYS
No matter which way you
enter Salmon, you are following a national scenic
byway.
Salmon River Scenic Byway - Hwy 93 runs
Stanley to Lost Trail Pass.
Sacajawea Historic Byway - Follow the trail
of Sacajawea and the Lewis and Clark Corps of
Discovery. Begin at the junction of Interstate 15
and State Hwy 33 to Hwy 28 and on to Salmon.
Sacajawea, an "Agaidika" Shoshone woman born around
1788, was a valuable member of the Lewis and Clark
Corps of Discovery. Born and raised in Idaho’s Lemhi
Valley until the age of twelve, she was captured by
the Arikira Indians and forced to live in the Mandan
Villages of North Dakota. Carrying her infant son
and acting as an interpreter for Lewis and Clark,
Sacajawea, would help the Corps find the Salmon
River and in doing so would revisit her people.
Found here are fossils of the extinct Pleistocene
lion, Native American rock art, and stories of the
Lemhi-Shoshone people. Follow the stage routes and
rail lines that served the mining boom of the late
1800's. Learn more of the flight of the Nez Perce,
Fort Lemhi, and Chief Tendoy.
Lewis & Clark Back Country Byway - Begins 20
miles S. of Salmon then east from Hwy 28 at the
Tendoy Store. View country that looks much the same
as when Lewis and Clark first discovered it. Things
to see: Back Country Interpretive Kiosk; Sharkey Hot
Springs; Lemhi Pass (first crossing by Lewis and
Clark of the Continental Divide); 1st Flag Unfurling
Site; Continental Divide National Scenic Trail;
Headwaters of the Missouri River. Trail is open
summer and early fall. Groomed trails open to
snowmobile enthusiast.
SACAJEWEA CENTER
Created to honor
Sacajawea, who was born in the Salmon Valley, the
Sacajawea Center provides visitors and locals alike
a place to walk, visit, watch performances and learn
about the area and the inhabitants.
LEWIS & CLARK
Tower Rock
Recreation Site – A BLM Campground,
is located 11 miles north of
Salmon on US 93. A detachment led by William Clark
camped here on August 21 and 25, 1805 while
completing the reconnaissance of the Salmon River.
Interpretive panels highlight the geology of Tower
Rock and Clark's Campsite.
Tower Creek Pirimids – The Lewis and Clark
expedition traveled up Tower Creek on August 31st
1805. Clark recorded, "...passed remarkable rock
resembling pirimids on the left side." The day use
site offers picnic tables and an historic
homesteader's cabin. Information panels interpret
the geology of the "pirimids".
The above information was provided by
Salmon Valley Chamber of
Commerce:
Follow the link to even more
information on events and activities in the
Salmon area.
Photo Provided By: Photos by Sadie |
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