Salmon-Challis National Forest

The Frank Church-River of No Return is a wilderness of steep, rugged mountains, deep canyons, and wild, whitewater rivers.  The Salmon River Mountains, located south of the Main Salmon and west of the Middle Fork, are the most massive range, and dominate the Wilderness.  North of the Main Salmon River are the Clearwater Mountains, east of the Middle Fork are the Bighorn Crags.  The Salmon River Canyon is one of the deepest gorges in North America, deeper even than the famous Grand Canyon of the Colorado in Arizona.  But in contrast to the Grand Canyon, the Salmon River Canyon is not noted for sheer walls and towering heights, but instead for the variety of landscapes visible from the river; wooded ridges rising to the sky, huge eroded monuments and bluffs and slides, picturesque castles and towers, and solitary crags.  The United States Congress designated the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness in 1980 and it now encompasses a total of 2,366,757 acres.  Administration of the wilderness is accomplished by two Forest Service Regions (Northern and Intermountain), and four National Forests, the Salmon Challis, Payette, Nez Perce, and Bitterroot.  It is the second largest unit of the National Wilderness Preservation System in the Lower 48 (second in size only to California’s Death Valley Wilderness).  The lead forest for managing the coordination of the Wilderness is the Salmon-Challis National Forest, located in Salmon, Idaho.

Maps:
All four administering Forests have available a two-map set of the Wilderness (south half and north half).  Also available are maps of the Salmon River and of the Middle Fork of the Salmon River.  You can purchase these maps at a Forest Service office.

Wilderness Regulations:
All Wilderness areas have a number of regulations in place which are designed to protect the resource.  Mechanized and motorized equipment is not allowed in Wilderness, this includes bicycles, carts and boat motors.  Hangliders are prohibited in order to preserve the aesthetic value of wilderness.  Hunting and fishing are allowed under State regulations.  Commercial guides and outfitters authorized by special use permits are also allowed, as is access to private land, administrations and operations of valid mining claims.  Grazing of domestic livestock under permit is allowed. 

Unique to the Frank Church Wilderness, and authorized under the Central Idaho Wilderness Act of 1980 (PL96-312) are the following: 

• Boating is allowed on the Salmon and Middle Fork of the Salmon and some tributaries, under a permit system.  Party sizes are controlled and Leave No Trace techniques are required.
• General backcountry visitation is allowed with a maximum party size of 20 and a length of stay up to 14 days.
• Stock use is allowed with a maximum party size of 20 and 20 head of stock.
• Jet boats are allowed on the Salmon River.
• Continued use of established airfields is allowed.

Leave No Trace:
More important than regulations are the responsibilities each traveler has to protect the Wilderness.  It is necessary for all users of the FC-RONRW to practice minimum impact camping techniques.  The motivation to do this derives from a respect for the land and water and consideration and courtesy for those who will follow after you.  Fundamental principles and techniques have been developed using the “Leave No Trace” philosophy.  A complete narrative and description for all of the principles can be found on the numerous “Leave No Trace” websites.  Listed below are some of the most critical practices:

• Travel in small groups, usually no more than 10 to 12 people.  The maximum group size is 20, without prior approval.  Be quiet and unobtrusive.  Respect solitude, one of the most valuable wilderness resources.
• When traveling the trails, stay on the trails to avoid widening them and causing erosion.  Do not cut switchbacks.
• Camp out of site and sound of other campers, and where possible, at least 200 feet from rivers, streams, and trails.
• Keep soap and detergent out of hot springs, lakes and streams.  Wash and rinse using buckets or pans, and dispose of water at least 200 feet from lakes or streams. 
• Select a camp that has already been impacted, if you have a larger group (more than 6).
• Pick up and pack out all unburnable litter and trash.  If you have camped in a popular area, leave the campsite in the best possible condition for the next users.  If you have camped in a little-used area, leave absolutely no evidence that you have been there. 
• Be responsible for human waste.  Carry a small shovel or trowel to help dispose of human feces.  When traveling overland, bury feces.  When floating the rivers, use the required sealed portable toilets and pack them out.
• Do not build facilities like lean-tos, fire circles, bough beds, or gear racks.
• If fires are permitted (not in fire-restrictions), build a small one, and use only dead or down wood of small diameter.  Remove bits of garbage that will not burn and pack out. 
• Feed for stock must be “Weed Seed Free” supplemental feed, when needed, and should be alfalfa hay, processed pellets, and grain in order to prevent non-native plans from getting established in the Wilderness.  No straw is permitted in the Wilderness.  If you bring salt in for stock, it must be mixed with grain, or in block form, secured off the ground, and removed when you leave.
• The Antiquities Act prohibits the collection of archeological artifacts.  Look at the many artifacts, but leave them for the next visitor to enjoy.

ENJOY YOUR VISIT TO THE FRANK CHURCH - RIVER OF NO RETURN WILDERNESS!