The class iv rapids and towering precambrium granite cliffs of the rugged Idaho Batholith turned back Lewis and Clark a century early. Fortunately common sense prevailed and the budding environmental movement prevailed, and the Frank Church wilderness remains today as one of the largest continuous wilderness in the Continental US.
The road along the Salmon River is an interesting day trip and brings you to many of the popular trail heads in the Salmon National Forest and the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness.
Context: On the Road
- North Fork, Idaho (15 pictures) The river heads west (down river) from North Fork, Idaho.
- Salmon River (137 pictures) The Salmon River Road follows the Salmon River From North Fork to Corn Creek.
- Lewis and Clark (13 pictures) William Clark explored, on foot, the upper section of the Salmon River Canyon, and chose to turn around and head north back through Montana on the voyage west.
- Highway 93 (207 pictures) The Salmon River Road intersects with Highway 93 in North Fork, Idaho.
- Shoup, Idaho (24 pictures) Shoup is on a scenic winding road along the Salmon River.
- Pine Creek (28 pictures) The Pine Creek Road [032] branches off the main Salmon River Road [030] just beyond the bridge over the Pine Creek Rapids.
- Panther Creek (9 pictures) The road up Panther Creek leads to Cobalt and eventually to Challis, Idaho.
- Ebenezer Bar (7 pictures) The Ebenezer Bar campground is toward the end of the salmon river drive. It was built by the CCC in the 30s.
- Stoddard Pack Bridge and Trail (12 pictures) The Stoddard Trail accesses the Frank Church Wilderness and other remote areas.
- Frank Church Wilderness (20 pictures) The Salmon River Drive ends at Corn Creek. There are several wilderness trail heads along the road.