Partner
Location
Smithie Creek and Sawmill Canyon, Salmon-Challis
National Forest, Idaho
Dates
August 10th-16th, 2023
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Salmon-Challis National Forest
Sawmill Canyon
THE TEAM
Chappy
Greg
Yohance
Tim
Mikhael
Brian
THE LAND
Lemhi Mountain Range, Salmon-Challis National Forest, Idaho
The Salmon-Challis National Forest covers over 4.3 million acres in east-central Idaho. Included within the boundaries of the Forest is 2.3 million acres of the Frank Church- River of No Return Wilderness Area, the largest contiguous wilderness area in the Continental United States.
The Salmon-Challis National Forest is rich with history as evidenced through the numerous rock shelters displaying pictographs and from what are now ghost towns of the mining days. The Sheepeater Indians of the Shoshone Tribe were among the first to populate this remote region; living along the river banks, they would often share their bountiful fishing and hunting grounds with the Nez Perce and Flathead Indians. In the early 1800’s, the Lewis and Clark Expedition crossed the continental divide into unchartered territory; and through the help of Indian guides Toby and Sacajawea (who was born in Lemhi County of the Salmon Challis National Forest), they opened the west to trappers, fur traders, miners, ranchers, lumbermen, and missionaries. Today, visitors can view remnants of history as they explore the mining ghost towns found in Mackay, Gilmore, Custer, Leesburg, and Yankee Fork; hike a portion of the Lewis and Clark Trail; or view pictographs while floating down one of the Salmon Rivers.
Diamond Peak is the tallest peak of the Lemhi Range at 12,202 ft
THE WORK
Team 003 spent several days meeting the needs of the Salmon-Challis National Forest. Working along side our partner Tread Lightly!, the US Forest Service, Idaho Parks and Recreation, and the Idaho Single Track Alliance, the team assisted in trail improvement, fence building, restrictor emplacement, and dispersed campsite restoration and sanitization.
CHECK OUT THE TL! IMPACT REPORT ON THE WORK DONE BY WARRIOR STEWARDSHIP TEAM 003!
THE ADVENTURE
Team 003 was able to experience some extraordinary public land sites while camping in Montana and Idaho during their trip. The very first night was spent in the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest near Chief Joseph Pass on the Continental Divide of the Rocky Mountains.
Upon arrival to the project site in the Salmon-Challis National Forest, Idaho the following day, WST.003 spent two nights relaxing along flowing streams within Sawmill Canyon.
After departing the project site and beginning the journey back to Montana, the team spent the night camping on the banks of Yellowjacket Lake, one of the most remote yet vehicle accessible areas in the Salmon-Challis National Forest bordering the Frank Church - River of No Return Wilderness.
Warrior Stewardship Team 003's project is supported in part by a grant from the Overland Expo Foundation. Please consider supporting the Overland Expo Foundation and ensure that individuals and organizations like ours can continue protecting access to or improving public lands, providing education that fosters preparedness and a more conscientious community, and promoting responsible exploration of our world.
THE OVERLAND EXPO FOUNDATION MISSION
TO PROTECT THE BEAUTY & EXPLORATION OF PUBLIC LANDS
Two Wolf Foundation is thankful for the Overland Expo Foundation and their support of Warrior Stewardship.
Two Wolf Foundation [EIN: 88-0755870] is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt charitable nonprofit public benefit corporation. All contributions are tax deductible to the extent allowable by law. Please Note: If the value of your contribution is $250 or more, you must keep this receipt in order to substantiate your contribution and be eligible for an income tax deduction. * There may be other factors that could limit the amount that you may deduct for income tax purposes. Please consult with your tax advisor.