Selway-Bitterroot (Salmon: camping, living in, legally)

[80skeys]

I spent some time in the Selway-Bitterroot wilderness a few years ago and was really impressed. Since then, I have found myself recalling and thinking about it quite often. I find it fascinating that there is an almost unknown, vast mountain wilderness in the continental U.S. that is as rugged and untouched today as it was 200 years ago.

I was wondering if some of you locals who have spent time in that wilderness can share your stories and photos here?

[CTC]

Originally Posted by 80skeys

I spent some time in the Selway-Bitterroot wilderness a few years ago and was really impressed. Since then, I have found myself recalling and thinking about it quite often. I find it fascinating that there is an almost unknown, vast mountain wilderness in the continental U.S. that is as rugged and untouched today as it was 200 years ago.

I was wondering if some of you locals who have spent time in that wilderness can share your stories and photos here?

I used to do a lot of hiking and camping there. The Selway Crags off Fog Mountain Saddle were pretty remote and one of my favorite areas. One of the best fishing lakes (Florence) I have ever fished, but no trail. Some bushwacking to get in and a 1/2 mile long talus field down to the lake.

One time in the Crags we hiked 7 days in a row and only saw one other party.
To me the Selway-Bitteroot is all about being remote and wild. There are many more 'scenic" areas in the West, but not many places more remote.

Alas, many of the trails which are listed on the maps are no longer maintained and are pretty much un hikable-the game trails are in better shape and it can be pretty easy to get lost or off track. Lots of brush.

I saw a wolf back there in the early '90's- well before the present day wolf recovery. The fact that the Selway-Bitteroot hooks up with the Frank Church (separated by the Magruder Corridor) is pretty impressive-we are talking about 4 million acres or so.

There are places back there which are seldom if ever visited. Much of the historic trails were built to supply the no longer needed fire look outs. I have no doubt that there are fewer visitors in much of the area now than say 80 years ago.I don't have any digital photos or I would post some.

I really had some grand adventures there over a 20 year period when I was living in Pullman, WA. It was great planning trips and pouring over the maps looking for the most remote places. BTW, the Montana side of the Bitterooots are much more accessible than the Idaho side.

[80skeys]

That's awesome. I had a similar experience with an isolated fishing lake in Colorado years ago. Those lakes are great, a complete lack of fishing pressure means it's so easy to catch lots of good fish.

I imagine the Forest service lets lightning strikes in the interior of the wilderness just burn themselves out?

[Toyman at Jewel Lake]

We did an ATV trip across the Magruder Corridor last summer. It's a road between the Selway-Bitterroot and the Frank Church wilderness areas. This is from Burnt Knob lookout. There is some sectacular coutry, but massive amounts have burned.

[80skeys]

Originally Posted by Toyman at Jewel Lake

We did an ATV trip across the Magruder Corridor last summer. It's a road between the Selway-Bitterroot and the Frank Church wilderness areas. This is from Burnt Knob lookout. There is some sectacular coutry, but massive amounts have burned.

I wonder if those lakes have fish?

[Toyman at Jewel Lake]

Originally Posted by 80skeys

I wonder if those lakes have fish?

Given where they were located, I wasn't going to hike down and find out. The picture is deceptive, it's probably a 1000 ft drop off that rock outcropping down to where the lakes are, and I have a great deal of respect for gravity.

A buddy did good fishing the Selway river though.

[80skeys]

i was hoping more people would chime in on this thread. Anyone else care to share their backcountry Selway-Bitterroot or RONR adventures?

[KTMMan]

I think they're trying to keep it a secret, shh.
That's an awesome picture toyman.

[CTC]

Originally Posted by 80skeys

I wonder if those lakes have fish?

Not sure about those lakes but Rattle Snake Lake had awesome fishing 10 years ago or so-others did too, but I forgot their names. We used to hike in from Burnt Knob every year. Yes a 1000 ft drop was pretty normal, but the ridge heading south toward the Salmon from burnt knob was easy hiking-then one could drop down to a lake of choice.

Very remote-I do not recall ever seeing another hiker, and we always had the lakes to ourselves. I did see a mountain bike once illegally biking within the wilderness boundary.

Tons of moose down in the drainages as well=we set up camp at one of the lakes and had moose walking through our camp-they never bothered us but it made us pretty nervous, so we moved camp!!.

[80skeys]

CTC - that's awesome. I love the idea of camping out and fishing in a pristine wilderness.