Sawtooth National Forest

Sawtooth National Recreation Area Recreation Report

September 11, 2008

SNRA HQ Visitor Center 727-5013 - Monday- Saturday - 8:30 - 5:00
Stanley Ranger Station 774-3000 - Monday- Friday - 8:30 - 5:00
Ketchum Ranger Station 622-5371 - Monday- Friday - 8:30 - 5:00

 

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.

USDA Forest Service - Sawtooth National Forest
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