Salmon
Area
Salmon is
located on the edge of the Frank Church WildernessArea, and at the
base of the Beautiful Bitterroot Mountains. This location makes
Salmon a great place for hunting, fishing, whitewater river rafting,
mountain biking, hiking, and ATVing. Winter activities include fantastic cross country skiing and
snowmobiling and for downhill
skiers and snowboarders it is only a 45 minute drive to Lost Trail
Ski resort on the continental divide.
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, and
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; Sha
rkey
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
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201 River Front Drive - Salmon, Idaho (ID) 83467
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