Idaho--Salmon River Scenic Route
Date: 2004-11-16
This is a gorgeous route, encompassing mountains, deserts and river valleys.
It also touches on historical themes like exploration, trapping, mining,
settlement, and Indian conflicts. The five-hour, 196-mile cruise, accessible
spring through fall, begins at Stanley, on the floor of the Stanley Basin,
with spectacular views of Idaho's largest peaks, the Sawtooth Ridge. The
Stanley Museum, located in an historic ranger station on Rte. 75, provides
a comprehensive overview of the area's past.
As you drive on, following the Salmon River, the road heads into a forested gorge with granite outcroppings. At this point, the river drops 15 feet per mile, tumbling over turbulent rapids and several hot springs pools. The most well-known, Sunbeam Hot Springs, lies 11 miles beyond Stanley. The ghost towns of Bonanza and Custer, established during the Gold Rush of the 1870s, are a ten-mile detour up Yankee Fork Road. The road continues along the river through more canyons. Beyond Clayton, the river turns northeast through a valley surrounded by high desert hills that were formed by ancient volcanic activity. Nearing the junction with U.S. 93, you'll pass under a towering cliff of rust-covered rock frequented by Bighorn Sheep. The Yankee Fork Visitor Center, at the junction, explains the history, geology and mining methods of the area.
Heading north from Challis, a 1870s mining supply town, you'll pass the Pahsimeroi River and circle the northern flank of the Lemhi Range. Follow U.S. 93 to Salmon, a 1860s mining town, now known for ranching, logging, and river running. Here you'll pick up the 11-mile Lewis and Clark Drive, which traces the explorers' route over Lemhi Pass. At North Fork, the river drops into the Salmon River Canyon, one of North America's deepest gorges. The road then rises to Lost Trail Pass at more than 7,000 feet. From the pass, the road descends into the Bitterroot Valley and on into Darby, the end of the line.
Starting Point:
Stanley, ID
Distance of Drive:
196 miles
Must Eat:
The Shady Nook And Brandin' Iron Saloon
Hwy. 93 North, Salmon, ID 83467
Phone:208-756-4182
Call ahead to confirm hours of operation
Good Stop For:Great Salmon
Best Time of Year for Drive:
May to September
Points of Interest on Drive:
Stanley Museum
The ghost towns of Bonanza and Custer
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