MIDDLE FORK OF THE SALMON RIVER
HIKING GUIDE
Hiking the Middle Fork of the Salmon River is an unforgettable experience. For all but the last 20 miles, where the river enters Impassable Canyon, there is a trail along the Middle Fork Salmon. From the main trail, numerous paths veer away and go up canyons and creeks. Most camps have nearby trails that provide opportunities for guided and unescorted hiking. Guests joining Idaho River Journeys on the Middle Fork will be with a crew that knows the canyon well and enjoys hiking. If you are a trail runner, our crew will tell you about routes that are exquisite and offer a range of difficulty from flat spectacular terrain to rigorous runs involving dramatic changes in elevation. Some of the most beautiful runs in the world are found along the Middle Fork.
ALPINE VIEWS
| Mile | Nearby Camp(s) | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| 12 | Joe Bump, Scout, Fire Island | Hike to Sheepeater Hot springs. |
| 15 | John’s Camp | Up bench to Rocky Point downstream. |
| 31 | Little Solider | Magnificent grove of Ponderosa pines just downstream. |
| 32 | Marble Left | Hike hill behind camp for magnificent views. |
| 32 | Marble Creek | Excellent hike along a beautiful Creek. |
| 33 | Marble Right | Good hike behind camp. |
| 34 | Stateland Right | Climb bluffs for a view of Pungo Canyon and Middle Fork Lodge. |
HOTSPRINGS VISTAS
| Mile | Nearby Camp(s) | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| 39 | Cameron Creek | Short hikes to pictographs. |
| 47 | Whitey Cox | Grave site. Above camp is a good trail. |
| 47 | Rock Island | Upstream climb/hike to elevated rock cropping. |
| 48 | White Creek, Shelf | Hike to Loon Creek Hot springs and beyond. |
| 50 | Loon Creek | Hike beyond hot springs for spectacular views. |
| 60 | Camas Creek | Beautiful creek trail. |
IMPASSABLE CANYON
| Mile | Nearby Camp(s) | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| 71 | Little Pine | Steep hike. Spectacular views from Johnson Pt. |
| 74 | Rattlesnake Cave | Trail to camps downstream is high above the river. |
| 75 | Woolard | Morning hike to Big Creek. Big view of Survey from a high point. |
| 78 | Water Fall Creek | Beautiful views of the waterfall from the bridge. |
| 78 | Big Creek | Spectacular trail. Half-hour hike to bridge over a gorge. Worth it. |
| 80 | Veil Falls | Popular hike. Take a family photo from a ledge overlooking the river. |
| 84 | Papoose Creek | Hike in creek up a narrow steep-walled canyon. |
| 88 | Nugget Creek | Follow trail near creek up to Parrot’s grotto. |
| 90 | Stoddard Creek | Creek hike to pools and pictographs. |
