Big Wood Backcountry Trails

          

• SAWTOOTH NATIONAL RECREATION AREA

RECREATION REPORT August 14, 2008. 

SNRA HQ Visitor Center    727-5013 -  Monday - Saturday- 8:30 - 5:00

Stanley Ranger Station   774-3000 - Monday - Friday -  8:30 - 5:00

Redfish Lake Visitor Center  774-3376 - Friday - Sunday -  9:30 - 5:00

Ketchum Ranger Station    622-5371 -  Monday - Friday -  8:30 - 5:00 
 
 

“The Sawtooth Forum and Lecture Series 2008” held in Stanley, Idaho runs through August 29. Attendance is free and open to the public. All lectures will begin at 3:00 pm and are held at the Stanley Museum. The lectures will be repeated at 8:30 pm at the Redfish Lake Amphitheater. Sponsors are: Sawtooth Interpretive and Historical Association, U.S. Forest Service, Sawtooth Society, Stanley Community Library, Idaho Rivers United, and Stanley, Sawtooth Chamber of Commerce.   

• Friday, August 15^th The Evermann Journals: A Naturalist in Sawtooth Valley, 1895- Mark Moulton (Alturas Lake Day Use Area).
• Friday, August 22^nd Salmon Stories Through the Generations- Jack Lavin, Tom Kovalicky
• Friday, August 29^th Coming Home to Sawtooth Valley: An Author’s Perspective- John Rember

 
 
 

Sawtooth NRA Interpretive Schedule

The Wood River Campground Amphitheater is hosting Junior Ranger programs as well as interpretive programs Thursday through Sunday throughout the summer. Topics will include fire ecology, salmon, and the evolving forest. There are also nature hikes led from the Titus Lake and Adams Gulch trailheads. Please call the Sawtooth NRA Headquarters for a complete schedule. Redfish Lake Visitor Center is also hosting Junior Ranger programs, campfire programs and interpretive programs Thursday through Sunday throughout the summer. Topics include beavers, bears, deer, salmon, birds, insects, animal tracks, and wolves. Please call the Redfish Lake Visitor Center for more information on these and other programs.  
 

TIMBER:  

Personal use firewood permits are for sale at Forest Service offices. There is a 10 cord limit for each individual household. The minimum purchase is two cords at $25.00; each additional cord is $12.50. The Sawtooth NRA once again is offering two free cords of firewood, which can be gathered from Decker Flat Road. A permit is needed to cut the free wood. The permit map outlines regulations and will identify the areas open to firewood gathering.  Be sure to tag the load. Keep in mind there might be muddy and wet areas, as well as falling timber.  

Transplants, post and pole, and other wood product permits are available through timber manager Scott Loos. He can be reached at 208-727-5015. 

TRAILS:

The snow level is at about 10,000 feet, and most trails are now open. There is a possibility of mud and snow on trails in the higher elevations, as well as high water crossings.

• Expect fallen trees on the trails due to wind, fires, avalanches and snow. Bikers please lift your bikes over any downed trees rather than making ruts riding around them.
• Use caution at water crossings, the water is fast and high in many places and can sweep the feet right out from under even experienced hikers.
• The bugs are out so take necessary measures to prevent potential West Nile infections.

 
 
 
 

CAMPING: 

• Sockeye Campground is closed for the remainder of the season for a reconstruction project, but all other campgrounds in the Redfish Lake area are now open.
• Upper and Lower O’Brien are closed and will remain closed until the bridge is repaired.
• Sawtooth NRA campgrounds do not have hookups or electricity. 

 
 

On August 15^th, 2008 vegetation restoration will occur on the river side of the Salmon River Campground, and the sites will be closed for the rest of the season. The sites opposite the river will remain open. The same will occur at the Riverside Campground.  
 

Along the Salmon River corridor from Buckhorn Bridge to Holman Hole dispersed camping is only permitted in designated camp sites containing a metal fire grill and a sign saying ’10 day limit’.  
 

Be alert to dispersed camping changes in Iron Creek as well. Camping is allowed only in designated sites and campfires only in Forest Service provided metal fire rings. The time of stay will be reduced from 16 days to 7 days, and we will inform the public when this change takes effect. The reason for this action is to provide a greater level of fire safety as well as to reduce resource damage.  
 

There will be no dispersed camping allowed in the Livingston Mill drainage while the cleanup project is in progress. The trailhead is still accessible and open for day use, but users may encounter delays necessary for safety. However, we recommend using the Little Boulder trail to try out a new trail and to keep clear of the cleanup project.  
 

Campground Reservations: There are 33 developed campgrounds in the Sawtooth NRA and approximately 50% of the sites can be reserved while the rest remain first come first served. To make a reservation, please call the National Reservation System at 1-877-444-6777 or go online to www.recreation.gov. Reservations cannot be made at local forest service offices.   
 
 
 

FIRE INFORMATION:

We are not currently under any fire restrictions, however, due to increasingly dry conditions use extra caution when having a campfire. Visitors are welcome to have campfires, as long as they are built in existing metal fire rings; please do not build a fire ring. Make sure fires are dead out, and ashes are cool to touch when leaving the campsite. Never leave a campfire unattended. Fires are allowed in most of the wilderness, but must be on a fire pan or fire blanket. If you see smoke and suspect a wildfire, please do not hesitate to call any ranger station or visitor center. Before calling, please gather any information that may assist fire crews as to the location of the fire.  
 
 

OTHER INFORMATION:

• Fishing Regulation booklets are available at the Sawtooth NRA; however Forest Service offices do not sell fishing licenses.
• Big Wood Backcountry Trails is a volunteer group (trail user coalition) who represent the interests of hikers, horseback riders, motorcyclists, and mountain bikers, runners, dog walkers, and anyone that fits on a single track dirt trail. Visit them at www.bwbt.org.
• Daily trail updates can also be found for the Ketchum Area by calling the Ketchum Ranger Station at 208-622-5371.
• Stop by and check out the books and other materials the Sawtooth Interpretive Association has at the Forest Service offices. Great hiking books, mushroom books, all kinds of identifying books, and fun items for children are all available for sale.

 

      Have a great week!   

      -The Sawtooth NRA Recreation Staff.