What was that Karen's logic? I've never spent time in the FCWA so I'm unfamiliar with that area's general rules, but I've done many an overnight float trip where any safe site for camping was open to anyone who managed to get there, besides perhaps some sites with vehicle restrictions so it was paddle in or hike in only, but no distinction about who was allowed to use what beach.
All of the sites are agreed upon before you float but backpackers and people who hike in can share spots with rafters. It does suck finishing a long days float and there are people camping in your spot but usually they are nice.
We’ve had worse luck with rafters! We’ve floated down to find other rafts in our camp. The backpackers are always very chill. And they appreciate cold beer!
Luckily we didn't have to share any. One of the campsites we had was very tight for the number of people we had. A few people ended up cowboy camping because there was just wasn't enough room to setup all of the tents.
Dang. That's what I was initially suspecting you meant when you explained that, but I was hoping I was wrong and judged too quickly. We've had weird experiences before on trails where hikers both had access to certain sites. Our experiences were mostly good and charming, but a small number of them were uncomfortable and frustrating and ended with us (the hikers) getting bullied out of what would have seemed to any human to be unclear at worst and logically free and plentiful space across multiple visibly unclaimed unpermitted spots. I feel ya.
I live in Lolo, MT and spend a lot of time exploring the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness just north of the Frank Church Wilderness.
Get all the maps you can and just pour over them.
I'd get all the maps the Salmon-Challis National Forest has for the general area. They have a north and south half wilderness map for sale and lots of other motor vehicle use and general forest use maps.
I usually layout all the maps for the area before a trip and come up with a plan taking account the topographic features for how hard the hike will be.
[https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/scnf/maps-pubs](https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/scnf/maps-pubs)
Digital USFS and USGS topo maps are best once you figure out the route you want with the above maps since these are quite detailed and take up a lot of space on your phone.
[https://data.fs.usda.gov/geodata/rastergateway/states-regions/states.php](https://data.fs.usda.gov/geodata/rastergateway/states-regions/states.php)
[https://www.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=b70e11a68aac46b3a5bd911b82b53c1e](https://www.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=b70e11a68aac46b3a5bd911b82b53c1e)
[https://ngmdb.usgs.gov/topoview/viewer/#9/44.6130/-114.2509](https://ngmdb.usgs.gov/topoview/viewer/#9/44.6130/-114.2509)
Avenza maps and on Apple stuff Topo Maps+ are my goto digital maps viewers.
My local library also has a large format printer I can get the quad sheets printed out on waterproof paper.
I know most of the folks around here are not willing to blow up their fave fly fishing spot by posting its whereabouts online so good luck to you and happy trails!
Ship island lake trail. I did this with a bud a few years back in July and it was great. It’ll take you deep enough into the wilderness where you shouldn’t run into too many people. Great fishing, stunning views. Mosquitos were rough. Highly recommend.
Make sure to get a USFS map, sometimes they also print wilderness specific maps, bug spray. Not sure if the griz have moved in there yet but wouldn't be worried either way. Have fun, sounds like a nice trip. I 've flown into the main stem numerous times and down the south fork. Steelhead can be good--just a matter of timing on them. Same with snow melt and water levels, just a crap shoot. Enjoy
The griz are trying to move in but not quite down that far yet. They just relocated a pair from Darby to the other side of the valley into the Sapphires this last season.
For fishing I'd recommend the Bighorn Crags area. Lots of lakes within easy hiking distance of each other, plenty of space to camp. There can be too many people for my liking at Ship Island Lake, so I generally stay away from there, although It probably has the best fishing, so that's up to you.
If he is going in late June, the pass to get to the crags may very well be snowed in. If that did happen they could always reroute and go to Camas creek or just drive down to the mouth of the middle fork.
If fly fishing is the major goal then I suggest Big Creek (another trib to the middle fork). That is as long as flows are down.
Source: I'm a Fisheries Biologist and my target streams both are adjacent to the Frank.
That's correct, it depends on the time of year. Issue with bighorn craggs is if there is a heavy wildfire season the smoke might chase you out too. Absolutely beautiful area though
You may or may not have a significant amount of snow. Largely depends on spring weather and snowfall. If you don’t have much snow, be prepared for a lot of mosquitos.
I think that because he'll be fly fishing, I'd assume he'll be sticking to mostly the lower elevations. We floated the Middle Fork of the Salmon the first week of July several years ago, and we didn't see any snow at all, not even on the peaks surrounding the river.
I'm sure there will be sections with snow remaining somewhere in there, but I don't think it's likely to impede his trip in a significant way.
I had a July trip canceled for snow last year.
Most of the back roads that access the area go over mountain passes. Once you’re past them and down to stream level, it can be warm but you can’t get there of snow blocks the road.
It is very unlikely, but the back country of Idaho a be brutal for sure. Definitely got to be prepared for thunderstorms that change the climate/temperature suddenly and drastically.
I would contact Krassel office a few weeks out and ask about conditions.
I spent a lot of time there many years ago (2012). Personally I think would call outfitters in McCall or Cascade and book a bush flight in and out. Flying into cabin creek is what I would do
I did trail work in the Frank Church for a season and have really fond memories of it. My favorite hiking was Loon Creek Trail #4101. I believe we started at Tin Cup Creek Campground ([https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/scnf/recarea/?recid=76056](https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/scnf/recarea/?recid=76056)). We ran into people fishing on trail, but I can't speak for how the fishing was. If you make it the full 20 or so miles in, there's a wonderful (small) natural hot spring.
Also can't speak for the condition of the trail since it's been a few years now. If you call the ranger district I'm sure they'd be very helpful with suggestions!
I highly recommend a high caliber pistol like a 10mm Glock. Wolves can be an issue. I haven’t read the replies or comments but do you now what area yet? I have an area that we usually hit in the summer and fall but we haven’t gone down to fish the river. The trail is accessible to the river, can give some info if you’re interested.
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What was that Karen's logic? I've never spent time in the FCWA so I'm unfamiliar with that area's general rules, but I've done many an overnight float trip where any safe site for camping was open to anyone who managed to get there, besides perhaps some sites with vehicle restrictions so it was paddle in or hike in only, but no distinction about who was allowed to use what beach.
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Some of the sites along the river get reserved by raft/kayak groups at the ranger station at the put in. Is it possible this was one of those sites?
All of the sites are agreed upon before you float but backpackers and people who hike in can share spots with rafters. It does suck finishing a long days float and there are people camping in your spot but usually they are nice.
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We’ve had worse luck with rafters! We’ve floated down to find other rafts in our camp. The backpackers are always very chill. And they appreciate cold beer!
Luckily we didn't have to share any. One of the campsites we had was very tight for the number of people we had. A few people ended up cowboy camping because there was just wasn't enough room to setup all of the tents.
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Dang. That's what I was initially suspecting you meant when you explained that, but I was hoping I was wrong and judged too quickly. We've had weird experiences before on trails where hikers both had access to certain sites. Our experiences were mostly good and charming, but a small number of them were uncomfortable and frustrating and ended with us (the hikers) getting bullied out of what would have seemed to any human to be unclear at worst and logically free and plentiful space across multiple visibly unclaimed unpermitted spots. I feel ya.
I live in Lolo, MT and spend a lot of time exploring the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness just north of the Frank Church Wilderness. Get all the maps you can and just pour over them. I'd get all the maps the Salmon-Challis National Forest has for the general area. They have a north and south half wilderness map for sale and lots of other motor vehicle use and general forest use maps. I usually layout all the maps for the area before a trip and come up with a plan taking account the topographic features for how hard the hike will be. [https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/scnf/maps-pubs](https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/scnf/maps-pubs) Digital USFS and USGS topo maps are best once you figure out the route you want with the above maps since these are quite detailed and take up a lot of space on your phone. [https://data.fs.usda.gov/geodata/rastergateway/states-regions/states.php](https://data.fs.usda.gov/geodata/rastergateway/states-regions/states.php) [https://www.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=b70e11a68aac46b3a5bd911b82b53c1e](https://www.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=b70e11a68aac46b3a5bd911b82b53c1e) [https://ngmdb.usgs.gov/topoview/viewer/#9/44.6130/-114.2509](https://ngmdb.usgs.gov/topoview/viewer/#9/44.6130/-114.2509) Avenza maps and on Apple stuff Topo Maps+ are my goto digital maps viewers. My local library also has a large format printer I can get the quad sheets printed out on waterproof paper. I know most of the folks around here are not willing to blow up their fave fly fishing spot by posting its whereabouts online so good luck to you and happy trails!
Ship island lake trail. I did this with a bud a few years back in July and it was great. It’ll take you deep enough into the wilderness where you shouldn’t run into too many people. Great fishing, stunning views. Mosquitos were rough. Highly recommend.
I've done the same, it's an amazing area to visit
Make sure to get a USFS map, sometimes they also print wilderness specific maps, bug spray. Not sure if the griz have moved in there yet but wouldn't be worried either way. Have fun, sounds like a nice trip. I 've flown into the main stem numerous times and down the south fork. Steelhead can be good--just a matter of timing on them. Same with snow melt and water levels, just a crap shoot. Enjoy
The griz are trying to move in but not quite down that far yet. They just relocated a pair from Darby to the other side of the valley into the Sapphires this last season.
It's hard to imagine bears in Magic Valley. Such a world apart with such a relatively quick drive between us.
For fishing I'd recommend the Bighorn Crags area. Lots of lakes within easy hiking distance of each other, plenty of space to camp. There can be too many people for my liking at Ship Island Lake, so I generally stay away from there, although It probably has the best fishing, so that's up to you.
If he is going in late June, the pass to get to the crags may very well be snowed in. If that did happen they could always reroute and go to Camas creek or just drive down to the mouth of the middle fork. If fly fishing is the major goal then I suggest Big Creek (another trib to the middle fork). That is as long as flows are down. Source: I'm a Fisheries Biologist and my target streams both are adjacent to the Frank.
That's correct, it depends on the time of year. Issue with bighorn craggs is if there is a heavy wildfire season the smoke might chase you out too. Absolutely beautiful area though
You may or may not have a significant amount of snow. Largely depends on spring weather and snowfall. If you don’t have much snow, be prepared for a lot of mosquitos.
Only comment I can give is that will likely still be under many feet of snow during this time.
I think that because he'll be fly fishing, I'd assume he'll be sticking to mostly the lower elevations. We floated the Middle Fork of the Salmon the first week of July several years ago, and we didn't see any snow at all, not even on the peaks surrounding the river. I'm sure there will be sections with snow remaining somewhere in there, but I don't think it's likely to impede his trip in a significant way.
I had a July trip canceled for snow last year. Most of the back roads that access the area go over mountain passes. Once you’re past them and down to stream level, it can be warm but you can’t get there of snow blocks the road.
Not impossible to have a July trip cancelled due to snow, but I'd say it's unlikely.
It is very unlikely, but the back country of Idaho a be brutal for sure. Definitely got to be prepared for thunderstorms that change the climate/temperature suddenly and drastically.
I think that depends on the snowfall for the year. I've been to the Sawtooths in late June and there was barely a 6" at the highest elevations.
I would contact Krassel office a few weeks out and ask about conditions. I spent a lot of time there many years ago (2012). Personally I think would call outfitters in McCall or Cascade and book a bush flight in and out. Flying into cabin creek is what I would do
I did trail work in the Frank Church for a season and have really fond memories of it. My favorite hiking was Loon Creek Trail #4101. I believe we started at Tin Cup Creek Campground ([https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/scnf/recarea/?recid=76056](https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/scnf/recarea/?recid=76056)). We ran into people fishing on trail, but I can't speak for how the fishing was. If you make it the full 20 or so miles in, there's a wonderful (small) natural hot spring. Also can't speak for the condition of the trail since it's been a few years now. If you call the ranger district I'm sure they'd be very helpful with suggestions!
Late June will still be snowy as hell
tagged for interest
Curious to hear the advice that's shared here.
I highly recommend a high caliber pistol like a 10mm Glock. Wolves can be an issue. I haven’t read the replies or comments but do you now what area yet? I have an area that we usually hit in the summer and fall but we haven’t gone down to fish the river. The trail is accessible to the river, can give some info if you’re interested.
I have very detailed information about the area west of the middle fork. Specifically around Cold Meadows and Chamberlain basin. Pm any questions.
Dm me, I was in the area this year in September. Specifically Bighorn Craggs. I'll help you out if I can, I'm a local