TIMBER:
Personal use firewood permits are for sale at Forest Service offices.
There is a 10 cord limit for each individual household. The minimum
purchase is two cords at $25.00; each additional cord is $12.50. The
Sawtooth NRA once again is offering two free cords of firewood, which
can be gathered from Decker Flat Road. A permit is needed to cut the
free wood. The permit map outlines regulations and will identify the
areas open to firewood gathering. Be sure to tag the load. Keep in
mind there might be muddy and wet areas, as well as falling timber.
Transplants, post and pole, and other wood product permits are
available through the Sawtooth NRA Headquarters office 208-727-5000.
TRAILS:
All trails are now open. There is a possibility of mud and snow
on trails in the higher elevations, as well as high water crossings.
• Expect fallen trees on the trails due to wind, fires, avalanches
and snow. Bikers please lift your bikes over any downed trees rather
than making ruts riding around them.
• Use caution at water crossings, the water is fast and high
in many places and can sweep the feet right out from under even
experienced hikers.
• The bugs are out so take necessary measures to prevent potential
West Nile infections.
CAMPING:
• Sawtooth NRA campgrounds do not have hookups or electricity.
• Some campgrounds are closed for the remainder of the season.
Those include Upper and Lower O’Brien, Lakeview, Riverside,
and Salmon River, Stanley Lake, North Shore and Glacier View loops
B & C (unless use dictates opening a loop).
• On September 15th 2008 Glacier View loop A, Easley, Outlet
and Point will also be closing.
• Campgrounds that are currently open but with reduced fees
and services are Redfish Inlet, Iron Creek, Trap Creek, Holman,
Casino Creek, Grandjean and Whiskey Flat.
• Starting September 15th, 2008, Elk Creek, Sheep Trail, Mormon
Bend, Chemeketan, Pettit Lake, Caribou and Murdock will be open
but with reduced fees and services.
• Day use areas closing September 15th include Outlet Day
Use Beach and Alturas Picnic Areas A and B while North Shore Picnic
Area and Point Day Use will remain open with no fees and limited
services.
Redfish Lake RV Dump will be closing on September 15th. North Fork
and Smiley Creek Dump Stations will remain open through September
22nd.
Along the Salmon River corridor from Buckhorn Bridge to Holman Hole
dispersed camping is only permitted in designated camp sites containing
a metal fire grill and a sign saying ’10 day limit’.
Be alert to dispersed camping changes in Iron Creek as well. Camping
is allowed only in designated sites and campfires only in Forest
Service provided metal fire rings. The time of stay will be reduced
from 16 days to 7 days, and we will inform the public when this
change takes effect. The reason for this action is to provide a
greater level of fire safety as well as to reduce resource damage.
Campground Reservations: There are 33 developed campgrounds in the
Sawtooth NRA and approximately 50% of the sites can be reserved
while the rest remain first come first served. To make a reservation,
please call the National Reservation System at 1-877-444-6777 or
go online to www.recreation.gov. Reservations cannot be made at
local forest service offices.
FIRE INFORMATION:
We are not currently under any fire restrictions, however, due to
increasingly dry conditions use extra caution when having a campfire.
Visitors are welcome to have campfires, as long as they are built
in existing metal fire rings; please do not build a fire ring. Make
sure fires are dead out, and ashes are cool to touch when leaving
the campsite. Never leave a campfire unattended. Fires are allowed
in most of the wilderness, but must be on a fire pan or fire blanket.
If you see smoke and suspect a wildfire, please do not hesitate
to call any ranger station or visitor center. Before calling, please
gather any information that may assist fire crews as to the location
of the fire.
OTHER INFORMATION:
• Fishing Regulation booklets are available at the Sawtooth
NRA; however Forest Service offices do not sell fishing licenses.
• Big Wood Backcountry Trails is a volunteer group (trail
user coalition) who represent the interests of hikers, horseback
riders, motorcyclists, and mountain bikers, runners, dog walkers,
and anyone that fits on a single track dirt trail. Visit them at
www.bwbt.org.
• Daily trail updates can also be found for the Ketchum Area
by calling the Ketchum Ranger Station at 208-622-5371.
• Stop by and check out the books and other materials the
Sawtooth Interpretive Association has at the Forest Service offices.
Great hiking books, mushroom books, all kinds of identifying books,
and fun items for children are all available for sale.
Have a great week!
-The Sawtooth NRA Recreation Staff.