Month: May 2020

Description: This 18 mile single track mainline trail parallels the Little Fork of the Clearwater River from Adair Creek to Foehl Creek. It is used for fishing and hunting access by hikers and pack stock. One can also access the Mallard Larkins Pioneer area from Trail 50. The trail was originally built from 1924 to 1932 for pack trains to the Little North Fork country on what was then the Roundtop Ranger District.

Compared to other trails in the region, Trail 50 receives moderate use, especially within the first 4 miles of the trailhead. With nearly every catch being sizeable native trout, this trail is most popular with anglers looking to test their fly-fishing prowess. And those coming prepared to camp will be delighted by the options along the river. Clearings within towering ancient cedars groves, flat benches above the river, small depressions in stream-side meadows and the ever popular site beside the fishing hole where one can seemingly cast from beside their morning fire tantalize those who dream of backcountry fishing expeditions.

With seven trails accessing the river at different locations, visitors can choose their favorite way to descend to the best fishing in the forest. For those who prefer to go hookless into the forest, Trail 50 also ranks as one of the highest recommended in the region due to its remoteness, fantastic beauty, diversity, gentle grade, swimming holes and access to other trails.

Directions:

• Approximate travel time from Avery to the Trail 50 Little North Fork of the Clearwater Trailhead is 1 hour.

• From Avery drive downriver on the Old River Road 218 for 2.1 miles to Road 301 at the mouth of Fishhook Creek.

• Turn left on Road 301 and drive south for 14.0 miles to Road 1268.

• Turn left on Road 1268 and drive south for 6.5 miles to Road 1268C.

• Turn left on Road 1268C and drive east 1.2 mile to the Trail 50 Little North Fork of the Clearwater Trailhead.

Directions

GPS Coordinates

Latitude 0° 0′ 0.0000″ S

Longitude 0° 0′ 0.0000″ W

Lookout Pass Ski Area is located on the Idaho Panhandle and Lolo National Forests at the Idaho/Montana state line, roughly half-way between Spokane, WA and Missoula, MT. Access to the area is via Interstate 90, Exit 0. Lookout Pass features 540 acres of terrain, including 34 named runs and prime powder glades, and averages 400 inches of annual snowfall. The vertical drop from the summit elevation of 5,650 feet is 1,150 feet. Terrain is rated as follows: 20% Beginner, 50% Intermediate, 20% Advanced and 10% Expert. Three double chairs and one triple chair transport skiers and snowboarders up the mountain. Inside the base lodge, a cafeteria-style grill and deli, bar and gift shop serve visitors. PSIA & AASI certified instructors provide a full range of ski, snowboard and telemark lessons, and a full service ski and snowboard rental and repair shop operates next to the main lodge.

Directions: Lookout Ski Area is located on the Idaho – Montana state line adjacent to Interstate 90, and is accessed via Exit 0.

General Notes: Lookout Snow Buses provide transportation for a fee between several Idaho and Montana locations and the ski area on Saturdays during the peak season.

Parking: The ski area parking lot is located about 0.1 miles from the I-90 interchange.

Safety Information: Helmets are recommended while skiing and snowboarding.

Directions

GPS Coordinates

Latitude 47° 27′ 11.1020″ N

Longitude 115° 42′ 23.3899″ W

The “Shadowy” St. Joe River flows down the western slopes of the Bitterroot Mountain Range from it’s headwaters at St. Joe Lake near the Idaho/ Montana state line.

The upper portion of the St. Joe River was Congressionally designated as a Wild and Scenic River in 1978; designating the portion of the St. Joe River from North Fork of the St. Joe River to Spruce Tree Campground (39.7 miles) as a Recreational River and the segment from Spruce Tree Campground to St. Joe Lake (26.6 miles) as a Wild River.  The Recreational portion of the river provides multiple vehicle access opportunities and developed campgrounds.  Above Spruce Tree Campground the Wild portion of the St. Joe River is accessible only by non-motorized travel, with Trail 48 following the river to Heller Creek Campground.

The St. Joe River offers a variety of recreational opportunites, such as fly fishing, floating, camping, hiking, horseback riding and backpacking.

Directions

GPS Coordinates

Latitude 0° 0′ 0.0000″ S

Longitude 0° 0′ 0.0000″ W

Red Ives Cabin is one of our most popular rental facilities. It served as the Ranger Station for the Red Ives Ranger District of the St. Joe National Forest from the 1930s to 1984. Attractions include its location on the St. Joe Wild and Scenic River.  It is located 86 miles southeast of St. Maries, Idaho on Forest Road 218.

The cabin features 2 bedrooms, kitchen, living room, bathroom, and covered front porch; propane stove/oven and refrigerator; hot water, flush toilet, and shower/ tub. Propane/battery lanterns are provided for lights and there is a gas log fireplace for heat.  Absolutely no pets. For more information please contact the St. Maries Ranger Station at (208) 245-2531.

Reservations for the Red Ives Ranger Cabin can be made at Recreation.gov on a first come-first serve basis.

Directions

From St. Maries, Idaho: Follow paved Forest Highway 50 (St. Joe River Road) 47 miles to Avery. Continue 29 more miles along FH-50 to the Red Ives Road #218. Turn right (south) on Road #218 and travel 10 miles upstream to the Red Ives Ranger Station. The Red Ives Road is a narrow one-lane road with turn-outs.

From St. Regis, Montana: Go to the four-way stop in St. Regis, turn left and travel for approx. ¾ mile to the junction with Little Joe Road #282. Turn left (southeast) on Road #282 and follow this two-lane gravel road to the top of the pass where the road number changes to FH-50 and the road is paved. Continue on FH-50 to the junction of Red Ives Road #218. Turn left (south) and travel 10 miles upstream to the Red Ives Ranger Station. Road #218 is a narrow one-lane road with pull-outs. The total mileage is approximately 39 miles.

From Coeur d’Alene, Idaho: Via St. Regis, Montana – Travel east on Interstate 90 to St. Regis, Montana, go through the town of St. Regis. Take a left at the four-way stop and follow the directions from St. Regis (see above).
 

GPS Coordinates

Latitude 47° 3′ 23.7204″ N

Longitude 115° 21′ 5.4972″ W

Conrad Crossing Campground features 8 camp units (3 on the river and 5 above the highway), potable water (June-October), vault toilets, and a day use area. Please observe the Pack it In Pack it Out refuse policy. Attractions include historic Montana Trail, St. Joe Wild and Scenic River, fishing, and floating until mid June.

Nearby Activities

• Camping
• Hunting
• Picnicking
• Recreational vehicles
• Wildlife viewing

Directions

Access 1: From Avery, Idaho take the St. Joe River Road (Forest Highway 50) 28 miles east to the campground entrance.

Access 2: From St. Regis, Montana take the Little Joe Road (#282) to the Idaho border where it becomes Gold Creek Road (#388). Turn right on the St. Joe River Road (Forest Highway 50) and proceed 1.4 miles to the campground entrance.

GPS Coordinates

Latitude 47° 9′ 30.8736″ N

Longitude 115° 24′ 57.4452″ W

Tin Can Flat Campground features 11 camp units, potable water (June-October), and vault toilets. Please observe the Pack it In, Pack it Out refuse policy. Attractions include St. Joe Wild and Scenic River, fishing, floating (until mid-July).

Nearby Activities

• Camping
• Hiking
• Hunting
• Picnicking
• Recreational vehicles
• Wildlife viewing

Directions

Drive 10 miles east of Avery on St. Joe River Road (FH 50).

GPS Coordinates

Latitude 47° 13′ 48.0432″ N

Longitude 115° 37′ 14.8584″ W

Cedar Creek Campground features 3 camp units, and vault toilets. There is no developed water so bring your own. Please observe Pack it In Pack it Out for your refuse. Attractions include fishing on the St. Maries River.

Nearby Activities

• Camping
• Picnicking
• Recreational vehicles
• Swimming

Directions

Drive 28 miles south of St. Maries, Idaho (3 miles north of Clarkia, Idaho) on State Highway 3. The campground is accessed directly off of Highway 3.

GPS Coordinates

Latitude 47° 3′ 2.3760″ N

Longitude 116° 17′ 20.9760″ W

The St. Joe River area of the Idaho Panhandle National Forests includes most of what was originally established as the St. Joe National Forest and is now our St. Joe Ranger District.

This is an area of blue-ribbon cutthroat trout streams, Wild and Scenic Rivers, and extensive roadless and primitive areas. We offer miles of trails for hikers, backcountry horse users, mountain bikers, and ATV riders. The St. Joe is nationally recognized for its’ elk herds.

Many of our campgrounds are located adjacent to the beautiful Wild & Scenic St. Joe River. Our Route of the Hiawatha rails-to-trails mountain biking route winds across trestles and through tunnels. Visit Marble Creek and view artifacts of early 20th century logging. Spend some time at one of our backcountry cabins or lookouts, or simply spend a day driving the St. Joe River road taking in the beauty of our rivers, mountains, vegetation, and wildlife.

Directions

GPS Coordinates

Latitude 47° 9′ 36.5220″ N

Longitude 116° 0′ 47.8620″ W

Avery Creek Picnic Area is for day use only. Features include 5 picnic units, potable water, and a toilet. Attractions include fishing and floating on the North Fork Coeur d’Alene River and a short trail.

Directions

Drive 4 miles north of Prichard, Idaho on paved Forest Road 208.

GPS Coordinates

Latitude 47° 41′ 17.1600″ N

Longitude 115° 55′ 41.1600″ W

The Shoshone RV Dump Station is located near the entrance of Shoshone Camp and the junctions of Forest Road #208 and #412. The RV dump station has dual bays. Also located at the rest stop are toilets, potable water, and a visitor information center.

Directions

Drive 7 miles north of Prichard, Idaho on paved Forest Road 208. The entrance is located near the entrance of the Shoshone Work Center.

GPS Coordinates

Latitude 47° 42′ 22.7520″ N

Longitude 115° 58′ 27.4800″ W