Salmon River Idaho

Drove north on US 93 from Challis eight miles, then turned off on the Morgan Creek Road that paralleled a pleasant little creek as it climbed up over a summit then dropped along Panther Creek toward the main Salmon River.

Panther Creek was very pretty and became quite large.

I didn't know what kind of roads I would get into but these turned out to be mostly well graded dirt/gravel roads. Seems this country is fairly tame terrain wise.

The creek/river valleys are not real steep and not real rocky so road building is not too difficult. Saw lots of four wheel dirt bikes (ATVs) in various places.

Arrived at the main Salmon River about 4:30 p.m. and drove the wide and generally good dirt road downstream.

Parts of the road were full of pot holes but the scenery was great.

Came upon a large herd of Mountain Sheep feeding by the road and river - wild but not too bothered by humans.

Arrived at the end of the road and camped in the Corn Creek Campground and boat launch ramp.

The campground was about half full. Never did see any real crowds like you would find on the coast for a holiday weekend.

Rafters were busy getting their gear ready to fload down the Salmon River.

On July 5, 1997, I headed back down the Salmon River Road with great views of the river. Everything is backwards here - upstream is south, downstream is north.

Saw another small herd of Mountain Sheep. Also saw a number of different rafters on the river.

Five empty and two full busses from various river rafting outfitters passed me - the empties to pick up people coming down the upper stretches of the river (which are milder than the lower stretches) and the full ones to launch people down the more rugged stretches inside the Frank Church/River of No Return Wilderness.