Month: May 2020

The Selway River flows through portions of north-central Idaho, within the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness. The Selway is unique because it is the only river in the United States that received instant inclusion as a wild river, in both the National Wilderness Preservation System and the Wild and Scenic Rivers System. The natural beauty of the canyon, combined with the challenge of the rapids and the outstanding opportunities for solitude, make the Selway one of the highest quality whitewater rivers in the nation.

The main fork of the Selway is about 100 miles in length, from the headwaters in the Bitterroot Range of the Rocky Mountains to the confluence with the Lochsa River near Lowell, Idaho. It is a tributary of the Middle Fork of the Clearwater River and drains 106,977 acres of Idaho County. It begins at above 9,000 feet in elevation and ends at more than 1,400 feet.

While the river was designated an official recreation river when the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act was passed by the U.S. Congress in 1968, the Idaho Legislature recommended the Selway and its five tributaries as Outstanding Resource Waters in 2002. The relatively new designation commemorates the river’s powerful discharge.

The river flows for 47 miles through the heart of the wilderness. From the Paradise Launch Site to the Race Creek Take-out, the river drops an average of 28 feet per mile, creating a technical whitewater experience that challenges even expert boaters. Numerous exposed and barely submerged rocks, and stretches of unbroken whitewater with very few quiet recovery pools, require a high level of skill and expertise. Immediately below the confluence with Moose Creek, the increased gradient of 50-feet-per-mile combines with a major increased volume of flow, creating an extremely demanding technical section of the river.

Permits are not required outside the control season on the Selway River. Pre-season boaters must be off the river before May 15th. The limited permit season runs annually from May 15 to July 31, and is designed to protect the wilderness and river resources, while providing opportunities for solitude, adventure and a quality floating experience. Only one party of up to 16 people is allowed to launch each day during that time.

Permitted floaters who do not show up to the river on their reserved launch date will be penalized and may forfeit their permit. A permit-holder must be with the group at all times.

Gallery

Directions

To reach the Paradise Launch Site from U.S. Highway 93 south of Darby, Montana, take West Fork Road (Montana Highway 473) 14 miles to the West Fork Ranger Station. A half-mile beyond the Ranger Station, take Forest Road 468 west across Nez Perce Pass for 38 miles to Forest Road 6223, which follows the Selway River for 12 miles to the Paradise Launch Site. The 64-mile route is mostly unpaved, very narrow in places and snow may block Nez Perce Pass until early June.

Off Highway 12, at the confluence of the Lochsa and Selway Rivers, take Forest Road 223 to the Race Creek Take-out. The road parallels the lower Selway River for 20 miles and ends at the mouth of Race Creek. The first 5 miles are paved and the rest is narrow dirt. The shuttle distance between Paradise Launch and the Race Creek Take-out is 245 miles.

GPS Coordinates

Latitude 45° 48′ 52.4700″ N

Longitude 114° 15′ 26.8200″ W

Uncategorized

ROMBO

Post author By traveloutside.admin
Post date May 6, 2020

Overview

Rombo Campground is located in a scenic area along the West Fork Bitterroot River in the mountains of southwestern Montana. The area is home to a variety of big game and wildlife, and provides access to a number of outdoor activities, including fishing, seasonal rafting and various trail opportunities.

Recreation

Fly fishing and wading in the West Fork Bitterroot River are popular activities. During high water season, kayaking and rafting are available as well.

Painted Rocks Lake is just five miles south of the campground. Visitors enjoy swimming, boating and fishing. Anglers will find mountain whitefish and a variety of trout.

Many trails and unimproved roads in the area are great for exploring by bike or off-road vehicle. Hiking trails to various mountain peaks are nearby.

Facilities

The campground offers 14 sites, four of which are accessible, for tent and RV camping. Individual sites can accommodate up to 10 people and two vehicles. A day use group picnic area is also available on a first come, first serve basis and can accommodate up to 30 people.

Picnic tables, campfire rings and grills are provided, as are accessible pit toilets and drinking water. A campground host is on-site. Utility hookups are not available. Parking surfaces are gravel.

Natural Features

The campground is located along the West Fork of the Bitterroot River. Large yellow-barked ponderosa pine trees tower above many of the campsites, which along with fir, aspen and lodgepole pine, provide pleasant shade. The campground is situated at an elevation of 4,600 feet.

A variety of wildlife makes its home in the area, including bald eagles, mule and white-tailed deer, moose, elk, bighorn sheep and numerous songbirds.

Nearby Attractions

The Alta Ranger Station, located on the West Fork of the Bitterroot River, was the first Forest Service Ranger Station in the United States, built in 1899. It remains a popular tourist location and is a short distance from the campground.

Horse Creek Hot Springs is about 29 miles from the campground via a gravel road.

Fuel, a post office and a general store can be found in Conner, 16 miles from the campground. Darby is 24 miles from the campground. It is a full-service community with laundry facilities, lodging and a grocery store, among other amenities.

Nearby Activities

Biking
Boating
Historic & cultural site
Camping
Fishing
Hiking
Water sports
Wildlife viewing

Gallery

Directions

From Darby, Montana drive south on Highway 93 to Forest Road 473. Turn right toward Painted Rocks State Park. Continue approximately 18 miles to the campground, which is on the right.

GPS Coordinates

Latitude 45° 45′ 54.0000″ N

Longitude 114° 16′ 50.0002″ W

Uncategorized

ALTA CAMPGROUND

Post author By traveloutside.admin
Post date May 6, 2020

Overview

Alta Campground is located in a scenic forest in the heart of Montana’s Bitterroot National Forest. The West Fork of the Bitterroot River flows nearby, giving visitors access to some of the best fishing the area has to offer, as well as other water-related recreation.

Recreation

Fly fishing and wading in the Bitterroot River, which runs alongside the campground, are popular activities. During high water season, canoeing and rafting are available as well.

A variety of trails and unimproved roads are great for exploring by bike or off-road vehicle. Hiking trails to various mountain peaks, including to Lookout, Razorback and Thunder Mountains, as well as Beaver and Deer Creek Points, are nearby. The Alta Pine interpretive trail is nearby.

Painted Rocks Lake is located about five miles north of the campground. Visitors enjoy swimming, boating and fishing. Anglers will find mountain whitefish and a variety of trout.

Facilities

The campground offers 14 campsites, three of which are accessible, for tent and RV camping. Each site can accommodate up to 10 people and two vehicles. Utility hookups are not available. Parking spurs are gravel.

Each site is equipped with a table and campfire ring with grill. Accessible vault toilets and drinking water are provided. A campground host is available on-site and trash collection bins are placed throughout the facility.

Please properly store food in vehicles or hard sided campers to reduce attractants to wildlife, such as bears.

Natural Features

The campground is located along the West Fork of the Bitterroot River, a popular fishing river in the area. Large, yellow-barked ponderosa pine trees tower above many of the campsites, which along with fir, aspen and lodgepole pine, provide pleasant shade. The campground is situated at an elevation of about 4,580 feet.

A variety of wildlife can be seen in the area, including bald eagles, mule and white-tailed deer, moose, elk, bighorn sheep and numerous songbirds.

Nearby Attractions

Hughes Creek, once a vibrant placer gold mining site, is nearby. The historic area accounted for 88 percent of all the placer gold recovered in Ravalli County from 1904-1948.

A variety of natural hot springs can be found about 18 miles from the campground.

The nearest town is Conner, which provides some services and is about 27 miles away. Darby is about 30 miles away and offers full services.

Charges & Cancellations

A $10.00 service fee will apply if you change or cancel your reservation. Late cancellations are subject to additional fees. For full details see NRRS Reservation Policy.

Nearby Activities

Biking
Boating
Historic & cultural site
Camping
Fishing
Hiking
Wildlife viewing

Gallery

Directions

From Darby, travel south on Highway 93 for about four miles. Turn right onto Forest Road 473 and continue southwest for about 30 miles to the campground.

GPS Coordinates

Latitude 45° 37′ 26.0000″ N

Longitude 114° 18′ 6.9998″ W

Uncategorized

MAGRUDER RANGERS HOUSE

Post author By traveloutside.admin
Post date May 6, 2020

Overview

Magruder Rangers House is one of seven buildings still used by Forest Service trail crews and wilderness rangers, but it is open to the public through parts of the year. It provides visitors with access to two designated wilderness areas, plenty of opportunities for sightseeing and exploration and a comfortably equipped place to stay.

Recreation

Hunting and fishing are popular activities enjoyed by visitors to the area. The adjacent Selway River and a variety of nearby mountain streams are well known for trout fishing. Anglers might see bullhead, rainbow, steelhead and cutthroat trout, as well as mountain whitefish.

There are a variety of trails that traverse the area, including the 11-mile Sweet Creek Trail. It follows a creek bed and connects to other trails in the area. It is open to hiking and horseback riding. Bicycles and motorized travel are not allowed within wilderness boundaries but is allowed on roads.

Facilities

The two-story, five-room log cabin has two bedrooms, a living area, a kitchen and an indoor bathroom. It has beds with mattresses, as well as futons, to sleep up to 10 people. A wood stove for heat is available in the basement of the cabin and firewood is provided.

The kitchen is equipped with a table and chairs, refrigerator, propane stove and propane lights. Cooking and eating utensils are available, as well as various cleaning equipment. During the summer and fall, hot and cold running water is available for the kitchen and bathroom, which has a flush toilet and a shower. The water system is turned off during the winter. Water is turned on from June through mid-October. An outdoor vault toilet is provided.

Guests will need to bring their own bedding, towels, food, matches, garbage bags and toilet paper, among other necessities. It is required that guests replenish the cut firewood supply and clean the cabin prior to leaving.

The cabin is accessible by four-wheel drive and high-clearance vehicles. Guests are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety. Livestock are not permitted at the Magruder Cabin compound.

Natural Features

The house is located on the Selway River, between the 1.2-million-acre Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness and the 2.3-million-acre Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness areas, at an elevation of about 4,000 feet. It was once the residence of the district ranger and his family.

Most of the area is covered by coniferous forests, with open meadows near the river. Because of its size, the wilderness provides a secluded habitat for a wide variety of wildlife. Large populations of mountain lions and grey wolves live in the area, as well as lynx, coyote, fox, bighorn sheep, mountain goats, elk, moose, deer and black bears (learn about outdoor safety).

Nearby Attractions

The adjacent Magruder Road provides drivers with a unique experience in the back country of Montana. The road was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s and remains much the same now as it did then. It continues to the Nez Perce Pass and is open in early June.

Nearby Activities

Biking
Camping
Fishing
Hiking
Hunting
Winter sports
Wildlife viewing
Photography
Berry picking
Scenic drive

Gallery

Directions

From Darby, Montana, travel south on Highway 93 for 4 miles to West Fork Road/Highway 473. Continue on this road for approximately 14 miles to the Nez Perce Road/Magruder Corridor Road and go another 34 miles on the one-lane gravel, and partially paved road. Just before the Deep Creek meets up with the Selway River, turn south at a stone bridge that crosses the creek. Maps may be purchased by calling the West Fork Ranger District.

From June to September, the road is only passable by high-clearance vehicles. From December through mid-May, the cabin can only be accessed by cross country skiing and snowmobiling for up to 30 miles from Little West Fork and more than 60 miles from the Red River Ranger Station.

GPS Coordinates

Latitude 45° 42′ 7.9999″ N

Longitude 114° 43′ 0.0001″ W

Uncategorized

MEDICINE POINT LOOKOUT

Post author By traveloutside.admin
Post date May 6, 2020

Overview

Medicine Point Lookout is a historic tower located on Medicine Point, west of Sula. It has been restored to reflect a lookout of the 1940s, including the stove, furniture, dishes and other small touches. It offers a unique chance for visitors to camp on a mountain peak, near the scenic Bitterroot River in a rustic, old-time setting, while having the enjoyment of recreating on public lands. The tower provides spectacular views of the surrounding western Montana wilderness.

Recreation

An extensive trail system exists in the area, including several loop trails for hiking, backpacking and horseback riding. Hitching racks are available at the base of the tower for equestrian campers’ needs. Road and trail conditions are unpredictable, as weather changes quickly in the area. For best results, consult the ranger district prior to travel.

Aside from hiking and horseback riding, the area is replete with wildlife and offers scenic views. A lookout journal is kept inside, providing instructions of what to do in case of emergency or a storm. Danger from lightning is largely abated due to a lightning rod implanted at the structure.

Facilities

The 14-by-14 room sits 10 feet on top of the tower and can accommodate up to four people but only sleeps two. It is equipped with a bed platform for two, as well as a table and chairs, a wood stove for heat and a propane camp stove and lantern. Guests may need to saw their own firewood from down and dead material surrounding the lookout, and a bow saw and axe are provided. Basic eating and cooking utensils are available and an outdoor vault toilet is provided. A 30-inch catwalk surrounds the tower’s single, glass-paneled room

The lookout is built on a 10 foot tall tower, with narrow steps and catwalk. This may pose a hazard for children and pets. Guests are responsible for their own safety.

Guests will need to bring their own water for drinking, cooking and cleaning purposes, as well as propane fuel canisters for cooking and lighting. Guests are also responsible for their own bedding, towels, soap, toilet paper and garbage bags. The facility does not provide trash receptacles; all garbage must be carried out, and the tower must be cleaned by guests prior to leaving.

The tower is accessed by a somewhat difficult 3.5-mile hike from the parking area with a 2,000 foot elevation gain. Snowmobiles and other off-road vehicles are not allowed on the trail, however, horses and other livestock are welcome. Guests are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety, and must bring several of their own amenities.

Natural Features

The tower is poised between the east and west forks of the Bitterroot River at an elevation of 8,409 feet. It offers beautiful views of the Bitterroot Mountains, as well as a vista of the southern Bitterroot Valley to the east. On clear nights the lights of Hamilton can be seen from the tower.

The Bitterroot forest is home to many species of wildlife, from mule deer, whitetail deer, elk, bighorn sheep, mountain goats, black bear, mountain lions and moose to many varieties of smaller animals and birds.

Nearby Activities

Historic & cultural site
Camping
Hiking
Horseback riding
Wildlife viewing
Lookout tower

Gallery

Directions

From Missoula, Montana, travel south on Highway 93 to Laird Creek Road/Forest Service Road 370, which is approximately 34 miles south of Hamilton. Turn right and continue about 4 miles to Bear Creek Saddle. At Bear Creek Saddle, turn north onto Forest Service Road 5731 and continue 2 miles to the trailhead. The trail to the tower is approximately 3.5 miles and is quite steep along some portions, gaining 2,000 feet of elevation.

GPS Coordinates

Latitude 45° 48′ 25.9999″ N

Longitude 114° 6′ 37.0001″ W

Uncategorized

TWOGOOD CABIN

Post author By traveloutside.admin
Post date May 6, 2020

Overview

Twogood Cabin offers guests a unique chance to camp in the forest of western Montana, in a rustic, old-time setting. It is available between the end of May through the middle of October, as well as throughout December, providing access to the surrounding mountains’ best features and recreational attractions.

Hiking, backpacking and horseback riding is popular during the warmer months and visitors enjoy cross country skiing and snowshoeing on the snow-covered terrain.

Twogood Cabin is located 6 miles up a non-motorized trail.

Recreation

Fishing is popular in the adjacent stream and anglers might catch a variety of trout. At least two other mountain creeks are available in the area. The Warm Springs Creek is a larger stream and provides excellent fishing for cutthroat and other trout. Visitors also enjoy wading in the cool water.

A variety of hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding trails follow the creek. The large, rolling meadows are a winter elk range. When the snow melts, moose and deer may be spotted in the meadows.

The 6-mile hike includes several creek crossings.

Off-road vehicles are not allowed on the trail, however, horses and other livestock are welcome. In the winter, the trails are popular for cross country skiing and snowshoeing.

Facilities

The one-room, 15-by-19 cabin can accommodate up to four people. It is equipped with two bunk beds, a table and chairs, counter space, a wood stove for heat and a propane stove for cooking. A propane lantern is also available. Guests will need to bring your own propane fuel canisters.

Firewood is provided on the covered porch outside the cabin. Inside the cabin, pots, pans and basic cooking and eating utensils are available. An outdoor outhouse is provided.

Guests will need to bring their own water for drinking, cooking and cleaning purposes. They will also need to bring bedding, towels, propane fuel canisters for cooking and for the lantern, as well as toilet paper and garbage bags. Water taken from the creek must be boiled, filtered, or treated prior to consumption. Guests are required to clean the cabin prior to their departure.

Two hitch rails for stock are located within site of the cabin and can accommodate up to 12 head of stock. Grazing within one mile of the cabin is prohibited. Feed for stock must be certified weed-seed free.

Access to Twogood Cabin is by forest road and trail. Winter conditions can prevent access by vehicle to the trailhead. Snowshoeing, cross country skiing or snowmobiling may be the only access to the trailhead in the winter time. Guests are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety, and must bring several of their own amenities.

Natural Features

The rustic cabin is situated on Porcupine Creek, in a road-less area of the southern Bitterroot Mountains, at an elevation of about 5,600 feet. It was built in 1952 by Harry Twogood and Clifford Wetzsteon and was used throughout the 1970s as a range camp until it was opened to the public for recreation purposes.

The Bitterroot forest is home to many species of wildlife, from mule deer, whitetail deer, elk, bighorn sheep, mountain goats, black bear, mountain lions, and moose to many varieties of smaller animals and birds.

Nearby Activities

Camping
Fishing
Hiking
Horseback riding
Winter sports
Wildlife viewing
Mountain biking
Backpacking

Gallery

Directions

From Missoula, Montana, travel south on Highway 93 to Medicine Creek Road/Forest Service Road 370, which is approximately 36 miles south of Hamilton. Turn right and continue about 4 miles to the trailhead, which is located at Crazy Creek Campground. An easy, 6-mile hike leads to the cabin from the parking area.

The trail follows Warm Springs Creek until it intersects with two other creeks, and then follows Porcupine Creek about a mile to the cabin. Trails are open to hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking. Off-road vehicles are not allowed.

GPS Coordinates

Latitude 45° 45′ 28.0001″ N

Longitude 114° 2′ 39.0001″ W