The clean, rarified air of Stanley (elevation 6,200 feet) is matched by the great beauty of the White Cloud Peaks of the Sawtooth Mountains which rise another 4,500 feet above the town. Stanley is the most rustic and pioneer-flavored of any of the towns in the Rockies region, and is situated in the middle of the Stanley Basin -- what Montanans would call a "hole". It's part of the valley of the Salmon River. With the Sawtooth National Recreation Area only a few minutes away and fabulous fishing at Stanley's doorstep, this is a town to remember.
Three national forests surround the town (Boise, Challis and Sawtooth). The camping and hiking possibilities are immense.
The basin is named for Captain John Stanley, a prospector and Civil War survivor who happened on the area on July 4, 1863, while leading a party of 75 prospectors to find new gold fields. They passed through the basin on their way to Idaho City. Stanley didn't return but one of the party, A.P. Challis, did and mined around Stanley for many summers. A permanent settlement was established in the 1890s. Today, the town is comprised of two settlements: Upper and Lower Stanley. They are headquarters for float trip operators who take rafters down the Salmon River. The rustic cabin motels play host to hundreds of visitors who fish for salmon, trout and steelhead and -- in winter -- come to snowmobile & ski cross country in the nearby recreation areas and national forests.
What to See and Do
West of Stanley is Idaho's recently-developed state park, Land of the Yankee Fork. There are two prime attractions here, besides the camping and fishing: The Yankee Fork Gold Dredge (near the village of Sunbeam) is a symbol of the gold rush of the 1870s when prospectors came to pan gold from the fork. Later, the dredge was built on the fork by the Snake River Mining Company. From 1940 until 1951 it floated on its own shifting pond, sifting gold out of the valley gravel. Custer and Bonanza were the two gold camps established during the 1870s. They are now ghost towns, on display in the state park which has its headquarters and information center in the town of Challis, 55 miles west of Salmon.
The fascinating backroad route will take you through the historic area from Sunbeam on Highway 75, coming out at Challis. There is an historical museum in Custer which tells the story of the gold era. The Stanley Museum focuses on the pioneer history of the town and the Stanley Basin. There are several accessible lakes close to Stanley. Little Redfish and Redfish lakes are just south of town, in the Sawtooth National Recreation Area. There is a visitor center between the two lakes open from June 1st to mid-September. Nip and Tuck Road offers a scenic sidetrip into the Stanley Basin, passing through mountain meadows filled with wildflowers, with great views of the Sawtooth range.
Explore the Sawtooth Mountains on the back of a horse. Redfish Corral and Galena Stage Stop Corral offer rides of 1.5 hour and 1/2 day. All Day and longer trips are offered through Mystic Saddle Ranch. Beautiful scenery, a great ride and fun guaranteed!
Deb Bitton
Sales Associate
For information on these and other listings call or E-mail
Toll-Free 1-888-722-5432
E-mail- info@sawtoothproperties.com
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