Stanley, ID | The Sawtooths, The Salmon, and The Land of The Yankee Fork ghost towns

Sawtooth · #1 Posted **Jul 11, 2011, 12:57 AM**

The Sawtooth Mountain Range and Wilderness is about 30 miles long and close to 20 miles wide with over 300 alpine lakes and 50 peaks rising over 10,000 feet. This massive mountain range is the headwaters of five substantial rivers, the South Fork of the Payette, the main fork Salmon River, the Middle Fork Salmon, and two forks of the Boise River which combine with another fork to create the main Boise River which flows through Boise.

The primitive wilderness area is 217,088 acres, with an additional 200,000 of roadless alpine acres not classified Wilderness. At the other side of the Sawtooth Valley rises the White Cloud and Boulder Mountains, which encompass the largest unprotected roadless alpine backcountry left in the Lower 48. There are proposals to protect this area as Wilderness, it currently lies within National Forest boundaries

The Sawtooth Wilderness and mountains borders the Salmon River Wilderness officially known as The Frank Church/River of No Return Wilderness which is the lower 48 states largest area of unbroken alpine mountainess wilderness, 2.4 million acres, and is considered the most remote wilderness area in the USA outside of Alaska. This wilderness also includes the Salmon River, one of the longest undammed rivers in the Lower 48 and longest river contained within one states boundaries and also includes the "Crown Jewel of the National Wild and Scenic River" system, the Middle Fork of The Salmon River which is entirely in the wilderness, and one of the finest, if not the finest whitewater rivers anywhere. The South Fork of the Payette River which also begins in the Sawtooth's is another prized whitewater river. The state of Idaho is known as The Whitewater State and has the most miles of whitewater rivers in the continental United States. The Salmon River is the largest tributary of the Snake River which carries over twice the water volume of the Colorado River.

Salmon are born in the Sawtooth Valley, swim to the Pacific and then migrate 900 river miles back to the Sawtooth's to spawn and then die in one of the large lakes, most notably Redfish Lake. This is one of the longest salmon migrations in the world. Redfish Lake is named for the red sockeye Salmon which used to be so plentiful the lake appeared red.

The dams on the Snake and Columbia Rivers have greatly affected the migration to the Sawtooth Valley, but recent efforts such as fish ladders on the Columbia and Snake dams have enabled more salmon to make it back to Idaho. Last years count of salmon who were able to make it back to their sacred home of Redfish Lake was about 1500 Sockeye, the largest number to be able to return to Idaho from the Pacific in over 2 decades. Other rivers and lakes and mountains of Central and North Idaho have a large number of salmon that stay within Idaho.

Enjoy! The views of the Sawtooth Mountains in this thread are just a small example of this awesome range, Highway 75 follows the length of the Sawtooths towards Galena Summit, but the massive interior can only be seen if you hike or ride a horse, mountain bikes are not allowed in the Wilderness

Stanley
Population ~ 100, Elevation ~ 6253'
Number of tourists at one given moment in time ~ ?
Three Designated Scenic Drives converge here ~ The Ponderosa Pine Scenic Byway, Sawtooth Scenic Byway and The Salmon River Scenic Byway.

Stanley Lake
8 miles from Stanley

Redfish Lake
6 Miles from Stanley

The drive into the lake. These photos were taken in the morning and late afternoon.

The Salmon River and Sunbeam

The Land of the Yankee Fork Historical Mining Area
The Yankee Fork is a major tributary of The Salmon River
The turnoff for this area is about 11 miles from Stanley

A few photos from the Ponderosa Scenic Byway outside of Stanley and heading back towards Boise.

Coming soon ~ Sun Valley.

Strange Meat · #2 Posted **Jul 11, 2011, 1:54 AM**

That's what I'm talkin about.

202_Cyclist · #3 Posted **Jul 11, 2011, 2:14 AM**

Great photos. The Sawtooths and Central Idaho is a stunningly beautiful part of the country. All the snow looks great as we're sweltering here in DC.

There is unbelievably good mountain biking at Fisher Creek (http://trails.mtbr.com/cat/united-st...3_4544crx.aspx) about halfway between Petit Lake and Stanley, on the right side of Hwy 75 as you go north.

My girlfriend and I went rafting a few years back with an outfitter from Stanley. We went in August, so the river wasn't nearly as high as it is in these photos. I also enjoyed seeing the photos of the Yankee Fork ghost town. We explored around there after the morning rafting.

It's a bit amusing that this wilderness area is named after Sen. Frank Church. As I've read, Sen. Church was one of the more liberal senators in the 1970s and this would be comparable to bright red Idaho electing Ted Kennedy.

Bonus points if you post a photo of my mom's store on your next thread covering Sun Valley.

Expat · #4 Posted **Jul 11, 2011, 12:49 PM**

Amazing scenery. I have never been out there, so it doesn't look real to me.

mttop · #5 Posted **Jul 11, 2011, 5:15 PM**

This is a photo thread! Thanks for showing us the beauty and variety and history.

CanadianCentaur · #6 Posted **Jul 11, 2011, 6:37 PM**

Some of the most beautiful pics of Idaho I've ever seen!

Sawtooth · #7 Posted **Jul 11, 2011, 6:40 PM**

Thanks! I really hope I have done this area justice with my photos, nature like this is always best seen in person.

202_Cyclist, I am going to be in Sun Valley later this week to check out the USA Cycling Mountain Bike Cross-Country National Championships. What is the street and/or store in Ketchum?

Gordo · #8 Posted **Jul 11, 2011, 7:54 PM**

I love the Sawtooths. I've camped at Redfish several times over the years, and done some major backpacking (including a 15-day trip back in '96 I believe, when I was in high school) over the years in several parts of the 'Tooths. Stanley has changed a lot since then - quite a bit more touristy nowadays, for better or for worse.

The water in some of the lakes up there is probably the clearest water that I've ever seen. It's also damn cold water, but good for a quick dip in the summer.

Great pics.

202_Cyclist · #9 Posted **Jul 11, 2011, 8:06 PM**

@Sawtooth:

The store is called Consign Design on 1st Avenue in Ketchum.

Be sure to take some photos of the mountain bike race. The mountain biking in the Sun Valley area is ridiculously good. If you go out behind Greenhorn Gulch, there must be 40-50 miles of excellent hiking and biking trails.

Suffice to say, you have to eat at the Pioneer Salon while in SV.

Sawtooth · #10 Posted **Jul 11, 2011, 11:45 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gordo

I love the Sawtooths. I've camped at Redfish several times over the years, and done some major backpacking (including a 15-day trip back in '96 I believe, when I was in high school) over the years in several parts of the 'Tooths. Stanley has changed a lot since then - quite a bit more touristy nowadays, for better or for worse.

The water in some of the lakes up there is probably the clearest water that I've ever seen. It's also damn cold water, but good for a quick dip in the summer.

Great pics.

Thanks Gordo. I have not been on an extended day hike into the Sawtooths, but am planning an excursion with a few friends for later this summer or next year.

The water in the lakes is so clear and reflects the sky like art.

The Redfish Lake Visitor Center has displays stating that the Sawtooth's, in addition to the longest Salmon migration, are home to the largest Whitebark Pine in North America and the visitors center itself is the oldest forest service visitor center in the lower 48. There was also a plaque stating the Sawtooth Wilderness has the cleanest air in the continental USA which has to be true with all of the stars in the night sky. This area is a treasure for sure.

202_Cyclist, the address and name of your mothers store has been noted.
I will get pics of the bike races and plan on showing a first timer friend to Sun Valley the Greenhorn Gulch area, the mountain biking up there in the entire Wood River Valley is heaven.

The Pio is on the list for a meal as is the Roundhouse up on Baldy via the gondola. There are several new restaurants in Ketchum I want to try out, I am sure they are spendy.

Swinefeld · #11 Posted **Jul 12, 2011, 1:07 AM**

Wow. Stunning and beautiful photos. Makes me want to head out west soon.

Sawtooth · #12 Posted **Jul 12, 2011, 6:37 PM**

Thanks Swinefeld.

Boysee Boi · #13 Posted **Jul 12, 2011, 7:25 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sawtooth

That's hillarious man! Clam porn? Awsome set as usual Sawtooth! I'm going camping at Stanley Lake for several days in mid August. This makes me wish it were sooner.

I mean everything else, not the clam...

the Genral · #14 Posted **Jul 12, 2011, 7:27 PM**

Stunning, beautiful, breathtaking. I think I just got an eye-gasm.

Cottonwood · #15 Posted **Jul 13, 2011, 4:35 PM**

Amazingly beautiful pics!! Thanks for including some history.

Yankeebiscuitfan · #16 Posted **Jul 13, 2011, 7:41 PM**

Wow. That is a beautiful piece of nature.

Thanks for sharing.

Boizean · #17 Posted **Jul 14, 2011, 3:06 AM**

What a beautiful and historic collection.

It's been a couple of years since I’ve been to the Stanley area, now I miss it more than ever. Thanks for the refresher.

I noticed an interesting question mark on the side of McGown.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sawtooth

Inkoumori · #18 Posted **Jul 14, 2011, 3:56 AM**

so refreshing, I can feel and taste the water!

xzmattzx · #19 Posted **Jul 14, 2011, 4:53 PM**

Great pictures! The ghost towns were nice and it's cool that they give detailed information on just about everything. The scenery was great as usual.

One thing, how did you get your car out of the lake after you drove into it?

Sawtooth · #20 Posted **Jul 15, 2011, 5:55 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boysee Boi

That's hillarious man! Clam porn? Awsome set as usual Sawtooth! I'm going camping at Stanley Lake for several days in mid August. This makes me wish it were sooner.

I mean everything else, not the clam...

Thanks!
It was a good appetizer

If you are up for a moderate hike from Stanley Lake check out Lady Face Falls and Bridal Veil Falls. Lady Face is about 2.5 miles from the lake and Bridal Veil is about 2 miles further up the trail from Bridal.

http://www.waterfallsnorthwest.com/n...l.php?num=2880