Middle Fork Salmon River
Encyclopedia
The Middle Fork of the Salmon River is a 110 miles (177 km) river in central Idaho
in the northwestern United States
.
, which is the main tributary of the Snake River
, which in turn is the main tributary to the Columbia River
. The Middle Fork is one hundred miles of whitewater. The nearest town is Stanley, Idaho
. The Middle Fork's elevation starts at 7000 feet (2,133.6 m) above sea level and drops down to 3900 feet (1,188.7 m). Bear Valley Creek and Marsh Creek converge to form the Middle Fork. The Middle Fork has around a hundred tributaries; some of the bigger tributaries are Rapid River, Loon Creek and Camas Creek. These three tributaries range from 20 to 25 mi (32.2 to 40.2 ) long. The Middle Fork flows through 2500 square miles (6,475 km²) of rugged terrain known as the Salmon River Mountains, in which there are peaks that reach as high as 10000 feet (3,048 m) (Midmore 1–2).
All of theses rapids change significantly with water level. See the Forest Service guide book for complete details.
in the first 52 miles (83.7 km) of the river. The hot springs are all very popular places to stop on the river. They vary in temperature. The six hot springs are Trail Flat, Sheepeater, Sunflower, Whitey Cox, Loon Creek and Hospital Bar.
Idaho
Idaho is a state in the Rocky Mountain area of the United States. The state's largest city and capital is Boise. Residents are called "Idahoans". Idaho was admitted to the Union on July 3, 1890, as the 43rd state....
in the northwestern United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
Course
The Middle Fork is a tributary of the Salmon RiverSalmon River (Idaho)
The Salmon River is located in Idaho in the northwestern United States. The Salmon is also known as The River of No Return. It flows for through central Idaho, draining and dropping more than between its headwaters, near Galena Summit above the Sawtooth Valley in the Sawtooth National...
, which is the main tributary of the Snake River
Snake River
The Snake is a major river of the greater Pacific Northwest in the United States. At long, it is the largest tributary of the Columbia River, the largest North American river that empties into the Pacific Ocean...
, which in turn is the main tributary to the Columbia River
Columbia River
The Columbia River is the largest river in the Pacific Northwest region of North America. The river rises in the Rocky Mountains of British Columbia, Canada, flows northwest and then south into the U.S. state of Washington, then turns west to form most of the border between Washington and the state...
. The Middle Fork is one hundred miles of whitewater. The nearest town is Stanley, Idaho
Stanley, Idaho
Stanley is a city in Custer County, Idaho, United States. The population was 100 at the 2000 census. The center of population of Idaho is located in Stanley.-Geography:...
. The Middle Fork's elevation starts at 7000 feet (2,133.6 m) above sea level and drops down to 3900 feet (1,188.7 m). Bear Valley Creek and Marsh Creek converge to form the Middle Fork. The Middle Fork has around a hundred tributaries; some of the bigger tributaries are Rapid River, Loon Creek and Camas Creek. These three tributaries range from 20 to 25 mi (32.2 to 40.2 ) long. The Middle Fork flows through 2500 square miles (6,475 km²) of rugged terrain known as the Salmon River Mountains, in which there are peaks that reach as high as 10000 feet (3,048 m) (Midmore 1–2).
Permit
A permit is required to travel down the Middle Fork of the Salmon River. Getting a permit is not very easy. There are seven launches a day. The person that is seeking to go must enter lottery control season. To become a permit holder you have to be 18 years old. The permit holder must work with a group to take care of the fees. The permit cannot be given to someone else, and the permit holder must be there at all times on the river. The permit holder must make sure that the rules, which are given by the Forest Service, are followed. An example would be that they must have a fire pan and port-a-potty. The normal season goes from the May 28 and goes to the 3 September. For the pre and the post season launches are first come first serve . You may also enlist the service of a professional guide service. Those permitted and licensed to operate commercial river trips can be found at the web site below – .Rapids
The Middle Fork has three hundred rateable rapids. Some of the well-known rapids on the Middle Fork are Dagger Falls, Sulphur Slide, Velvet Falls, the Chutes, Power House, Pistol Creek, Tappan Falls, Red side, Weber, Cliffside, Rubber, Hancock and Devil's Tooth. All of these rapids range from class III+ to class IV (on a scale of I to VI) with Dagger Falls being the only class V on the Middle Fork. Dagger Falls is just above the put-in of the Middle Fork which is on Boundary Creek. It is runnable on the left above 3 feet, but best at 6–8 feet. Velvet Falls, a class IV, has a recirculating ledge hole in the middle at some levels. To avoid danger take the left side. Velvet Falls gets its name from the small stream, Velvet Creek, flowing in on river right immediately above the drop, which refers to the velvet-like layer on developing antlers of deer and elk. (Other nearby streams include Elk Horn, Buck Horn and Ram's Horn.) Power House is a class IV where you have to pick your way through gaps and at the same time not get stuck on rocks or driven into the wall on river right, especially in higher water. Near mile 20, the river makes an S turn which is called Pistol Creek, a class IV. A person must make sure that they don't let the water slam them on the last turn of the S. Tappan Falls (class IV) should be run right of center to avoid a recirculating hole in the middle. It is a straight shot and hard paddling must also occur. At Red Side (class IV) there is a big rock in the river and the river is trying to push you in to the rock. In high water, sneak far right. In low water, enter center and run far left of the wrap rock. Weber (class IV) is known for the big holes of whitewater that it makes. Angle to left bank in higher water to square up on laterals. Make sure when entering the rapid to hit with speed and keep the boat strait. Cliffside (class III+) is a big wave train that pushes you in to the side of the cliff. Rubber (class III+) has very big waves. Keep the boat strait to laterals same as Weber and avoid the rock on the right side. Both Rubber and Weber are biggest at 4–5 feet of water. Hancock (class III+) can be rocky at the top; the river goes right and one has to hit the wave train straight. At Devil's Tooth (class III+) put the boat in to a small gap to avoid flipping. After going through the gap, turn the boat straight.All of theses rapids change significantly with water level. See the Forest Service guide book for complete details.
Hot Springs
The Middle Fork has six natural hot springsHot Springs
Hot Springs may refer to:* Hot Springs, Arkansas** Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas*Hot Springs, California**Hot Springs, Lassen County, California**Hot Springs, Modoc County, California**Hot Springs, Placer County, California...
in the first 52 miles (83.7 km) of the river. The hot springs are all very popular places to stop on the river. They vary in temperature. The six hot springs are Trail Flat, Sheepeater, Sunflower, Whitey Cox, Loon Creek and Hospital Bar.
- Trail Flat hot springs is 30 yards (27.4 m) from the river and has one pool.
- Sheepeater hot springs is a half a mile from the river. There are three different pools which range from "super hot" to "just right".
- Sunflower hot springs has five pools. There is also a part of the hot spring that pours off the rocks and makes a shower.
- Whitey Cox's hot springs is up on a hill with large sandy-bottom pools which can hold a lot of people.
- Loon Creek hot springs is a mile-and-a-half hike along Loon Creek from the Middle Fork. A wooden tub has been built with a nice view of Loon Creek.
- Hospital Bar is a small hot spring with two pools, one right next to the river.
Mammals
- Mule DeerMule DeerThe mule deer is a deer indigenous to western North America. The Mule Deer gets its name from its large mule-like ears. There are believed to be several subspecies, including the black-tailed deer...
- Rocky Mountain ElkRocky Mountain ElkThe Rocky Mountain Elk is a subspecies of elk found in the Rocky Mountains and adjacent ranges of Western North America. The winter ranges are most common in open forests and floodplain marshes in the lower elevations. In the summer it migrates to the subalpine forests and alpine basins...
- Bighorn SheepBighorn SheepThe bighorn sheep is a species of sheep in North America named for its large horns. These horns can weigh up to , while the sheep themselves weigh up to . Recent genetic testing indicates that there are three distinct subspecies of Ovis canadensis, one of which is endangered: Ovis canadensis sierrae...
- Mountain GoatMountain goatThe Mountain Goat , also known as the Rocky Mountain Goat, is a large-hoofed mammal found only in North America. Despite its vernacular name, it is not a member of Capra, the genus of true goats...
- BobcatBobcatThe bobcat is a North American mammal of the cat family Felidae, appearing during the Irvingtonian stage of around 1.8 million years ago . With twelve recognized subspecies, it ranges from southern Canada to northern Mexico, including most of the continental United States...
- Mountain Lion (Cougar)
- CoyoteCoyoteThe coyote , also known as the American jackal or the prairie wolf, is a species of canine found throughout North and Central America, ranging from Panama in the south, north through Mexico, the United States and Canada...
- OtterOtterThe Otters are twelve species of semi-aquatic mammals which feed on fish and shellfish, and also other invertebrates, amphibians, birds and small mammals....
- Black BearAmerican black bearThe American black bear is a medium-sized bear native to North America. It is the continent's smallest and most common bear species. Black bears are omnivores, with their diets varying greatly depending on season and location. They typically live in largely forested areas, but do leave forests in...
- MooseMooseThe moose or Eurasian elk is the largest extant species in the deer family. Moose are distinguished by the palmate antlers of the males; other members of the family have antlers with a dendritic configuration...
- PorcupinePorcupinePorcupines are rodents with a coat of sharp spines, or quills, that defend or camouflage them from predators. They are indigenous to the Americas, southern Asia, and Africa. Porcupines are the third largest of the rodents, behind the capybara and the beaver. Most porcupines are about long, with...
- ChipmunkChipmunkChipmunks are small striped squirrels native to North America and Asia. They are usually classed either as a single genus with three subgenera, or as three genera.-Etymology and taxonomy:...
- SkunkSkunkSkunks are mammals best known for their ability to secrete a liquid with a strong, foul odor. General appearance varies from species to species, from black-and-white to brown or cream colored. Skunks belong to the family Mephitidae and to the order Carnivora...
- WeaselWeaselWeasels are mammals forming the genus Mustela of the Mustelidae family. They are small, active predators, long and slender with short legs....
- BadgerBadgerBadgers are short-legged omnivores in the weasel family, Mustelidae. There are nine species of badger, in three subfamilies : Melinae , Mellivorinae , and Taxideinae...
- MuskratMuskratThe muskrat , the only species in genus Ondatra, is a medium-sized semi-aquatic rodent native to North America, and introduced in parts of Europe, Asia, and South America. The muskrat is found in wetlands and is a very successful animal over a wide range of climates and habitats...
- Wolf
Vegetation
- Douglas Fir
- Grand FirGrand FirAbies grandis is a fir native to the Pacific Northwest and Northern California of North America, occurring at altitudes of sea level to 1,800 m...
- Subalpine FirSubalpine FirThe Subalpine Fir or Rocky Mountain Fir is a western North American fir, native to the mountains of Yukon, British Columbia and western Alberta in Canada; southeastern Alaska, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, western Montana, Wyoming, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, northeastern Nevada, and the...
- Common Juniper
- Rocky Mountain Juniper
- Western LarchWestern LarchWestern Larch is a species of larch native to the mountains of western North America, in Canada in southeastern British Columbia and southwestern Alberta, and in the United States in eastern Washington, eastern Oregon, northern Idaho and western Montana.It is a large deciduous coniferous tree...
- Mountain Mahogany
- Limber PineLimber PineThe Limber Pine, Pinus flexilis, is a species of pine tree-the family Pinaceae that occurs in the mountains of the Western United States, Mexico, and Canada. It is also called Southwestern White Pine and Rocky Mountain White Pine...
- Lodgepole PineLodgepole PineLodgepole Pine, Pinus contorta, also known as Shore Pine, is a common tree in western North America. Like all pines, it is evergreen.-Subspecies:...
- Ponderosa PinePonderosa PinePinus ponderosa, commonly known as the Ponderosa Pine, Bull Pine, Blackjack Pine, or Western Yellow Pine, is a widespread and variable pine native to western North America. It was first described by David Douglas in 1826, from eastern Washington near present-day Spokane...
- Engelmann SpruceEngelmann SprucePicea engelmannii is a species of spruce native to western North America, from central British Columbia and southwest Alberta, southwest to northern California and southeast to Arizona and New Mexico; there are also two isolated populations in northern Mexico...
- BirchBirchBirch is a tree or shrub of the genus Betula , in the family Betulaceae, closely related to the beech/oak family, Fagaceae. The Betula genus contains 30–60 known taxa...
- Bitter bush
- Black Cottonwood
- Blue Elderberry
- Bracken fern
- Dwarf Oregon Grape
- Hawthorn
- Little Wood Rose
- Mock OrangeMock OrangeMock Orange typically means Philadelphus, a mostly Holarctic genus of shrubs. It can also refer to:* Bursaria spinosa , a small tree from Australia...
- Nine barkPhysocarpusPhysocarpus, commonly called Ninebark, is a genus of about ten species of flowering plants in the family Rosaceae, native to North America and northeastern Asia ....
- Quaking Aspen
- Rabbit brush
- Red Osier Dog wood
- Rocky Mountain Maple
- SagebrushSagebrushSagebrush is a common name of a number of shrubby plant species in the genus Artemisia native to western North America;Or, the sagebrush steppe ecoregion, having one or more kinds of sagebrush, bunchgrasses and others;...
- Service berry
- Snow berry
- Snow brush
- Thimble berry
- Wax Currant
- White AlderWhite AlderWhite Alder may refer to:* USCGC White Alder , a United States Coast Guard ship* White Alder , a North American flowering plant...
- Willows
Fish
- Cutthroat TroutCutthroat troutThe cutthroat trout is a species of freshwater fish in the salmon family of order Salmoniformes. It is one of the many fish species colloquially known as trout...
- Rainbow TroutRainbow troutThe rainbow trout is a species of salmonid native to tributaries of the Pacific Ocean in Asia and North America. The steelhead is a sea run rainbow trout usually returning to freshwater to spawn after 2 to 3 years at sea. In other words, rainbow trout and steelhead trout are the same species....
- White Fish
- Dolly VardenDolly VardenDolly Varden may refer to:* Dolly Varden , a character in the novel Barnaby Rudge by Charles Dickens. The original usage.* Dolly Vardens , a group of Black women baseball players that comprised the first professional baseball team* Dolly Varden , a musical group from Chicago, Illinois* Dolly Varden...
- Steelhead
- Chinook SalmonChinook salmonThe Chinook salmon, Oncorhynchus tshawytscha, is the largest species in the pacific salmon family. Other commonly used names for the species include King salmon, Quinnat salmon, Spring salmon and Tyee salmon...
Birds
- KilldeerKilldeerThe Killdeer is a medium-sized plover.Adults have a brown back and wings, a white belly, and a white breast with two black bands. The rump is tawny orange. The face and cap are brown with a white forehead. They have an orange-red eyering...
- OspreyOspreyThe Osprey , sometimes known as the sea hawk or fish eagle, is a diurnal, fish-eating bird of prey. It is a large raptor, reaching more than in length and across the wings...
- Belted KingfisherBelted KingfisherThe Belted Kingfisher is a large, conspicuous water kingfisher, the only member of that group commonly found in the northern United States and Canada. It is depicted on the 1986 series Canadian $5 note. All kingfishers were formerly placed in one family, Alcedinidae, but recent research suggests...
- Common MerganserCommon MerganserThe Common Merganser or Goosander Mergus merganser is a large duck, of rivers and lakes of forested areas of Europe, northern and central Asia, and North America. It eats fish and nests in holes in trees...
- Water Ouzel
- Cliff SwallowCliff SwallowThe Cliff Swallow is a member of the passerine bird family Hirundinidae — the swallows and martins.It breeds in North America, and is migratory, wintering in western South America from Venezuela southwards to northeast Argentina...
- Red Tailed Hawk
- Golden EagleGolden EagleThe Golden Eagle is one of the best known birds of prey in the Northern Hemisphere. Like all eagles, it belongs to the family Accipitridae. Once widespread across the Holarctic, it has disappeared from many of the more heavily populated areas...
- Blue GrouseBlue GrouseThe genus Dendragapus, contains two closely related species of grouse that have often been treated as a single variable taxon . The two species are the Dusky Grouse and the Sooty Grouse...
- Ruffled Grouse
- ChukarChukarThe Chukar Partridge or Chukar is a Eurasian upland gamebird in the pheasant family Phasianidae. It has been considered to form a superspecies complex along with the Rock Partridge, Philby's Partridge and Przevalski's Partridge and treated in the past as conspecific particularly with the first...
- MagpieMagpieMagpies are passerine birds of the crow family, Corvidae.In Europe, "magpie" is often used by English speakers as a synonym for the European Magpie, as there are no other magpies in Europe outside Iberia...
- Mourning DoveMourning DoveThe Mourning Dove is a member of the dove family . The bird is also called the Turtle Dove or the American Mourning Dove or Rain Dove, and formerly was known as the Carolina Pigeon or Carolina Turtledove. It is one of the most abundant and widespread of all North American birds...
- Great Horned OwlGreat Horned OwlThe Great Horned Owl, , also known as the Tiger Owl, is a large owl native to the Americas. It is an adaptable bird with a vast range and is the most widely distributed true owl in the Americas.-Description:...