The Bighorn Crags, Idaho, Report

“Seeing's how there's little information available about The Crags on the web, I'll do my part to increase said info...

The Bighorn Crags are nestled smack dab in the middle of the Frank Church/River of No Return Wilderness. The wilderness - the largest outside Alaska - is within the Challis/Salmon National Forest, Idaho. The forest headquarters is in Challis. There's also an office in Salmon.

My overniter was done in mid November. It was extremely cold, and snow covered the ground starting at about 6500 feet. Just two weeks earlier, the region was experiencing near-record high temperatures, and there wasn't a patch of snow to be found.

I wasn't even sure if I would be able to drive into the forest, so I stopped at the FS hdqtrs in Challis to assess the conditions. I left there with doubts about being able to reach the campground, but intended to make the attempt nonetheless.

I hit the road the next morning. According to a handout from the FS office, the Crags campground is a 66 mile drive from Challis.


I was able to drive surprisingly far before chaining-up. I was surprised further to make it to within 1.5 miles or so of the campground. Yet 2WD proved to be inadequate in the grand scheme of things.

I parked the truck at a wide, level spot beside the road. My two dogs and I settled-in in the bed of the truck, which features a camper shell. I slept in a 20 degree mummy bag within a 0 degree bag. Gizmo, a 12 lb. terrier, burrowed into the bags, as usual. Sarabelle, my yellow lab, slept atop a bag, and was covered by yet another bag. We had six sleeping bags total, and pretty much used everything we had to assure a comfortable night's sleep.

The full moon lit the snowy forest all around us. I laid looking out the camper window for what seemed like hours. I was having a good time in this winter wonderland.

The next morning, we did our little hike.

I dressed Gizmo in his sweater and booties, Belle traveled au naturale. I wore crampons (it's the best I had).

We followed the road to the campground. We were able to follow ATV tracks the whole distance, but, alas, the driver did a u-e there, and doubled back.

From there on, we were breaking trail. Even though I was deliberate in making the trail wide and deep for Gizmo, he was still having difficulty negociating the one foot-plus deep snow. Belle was doing fine - as I knew she would.”

“Anyhoo, we traveled about 1-1/2 miles beyond the campground where we broke for lunch. Poor Gizmo was caked in ice and snow, and was shivering like an aspen leaf. I decided to turn back, and return to the Crags on a subsequent summertime visit to the area.

I stuffed Gizmo in my coat until we got back to the road. There, he was able to walk the ATV tracks w/o any problems.

We loaded up in the truck, and were back on pavement in about three hours. I was concerned about not being able to top some of the hills I had come down when driving up. And, I was concerned about being able to stop going down some of the hills I had driven up. Make sense?

It was some pretty stressful driving in them icy, snowy woods...

Specifics...

Local Info:
Local information is available at the NFS office in Challis. They have forest travel maps which would be adequate in a pinch, but topos are available at the local sports shops.

Getting there:
From Challis, drive approximately fives mile north on US 93. On the left will be Morgan Creek Rd. A sign points to "Cobalt".

Morgan Creek Rd. twists and winds over Morgan Creek Summit - probably 20 miles from 93. Several miles past the summit, turn left at Porphyry Creek. There's a sign there directing you toward The Crags Campground, among other points.

In another 10-12 miles, there will be a right turn. Again, sinage indicates The Crags. After driving forever (16 miles?), there will be another right turn for the final approach to the campground. Signs point the way. It was along this road that I camped.

The campground is primitive, but seemingly well maintained. It would be a good place to camp in preparation for an extended jaunt into the Crags.

The Crags looked awesome from where I reached. The spires towered above the wooded hilltops. I regret that I was unable to get amongst them, but they'll surely still be there next year... or the next.

After the hike:
Bux's Saloon in Challis has cold beer and warm folks. It's nothing like touristy, tho - just locals.

Challis has other bars, as well as year-round restaurants and motels.

In the region:
The Lemhi and Lost River ranges are within an hours drive of Challis. Both these ranges feature a myriad of campgrounds and backcountry trails. Maps available at the Challis NFS office.

Within a couple hours drive to the south is the Sawtooth National Recreation Area, wherein lie the Sawtooth Range and Wilderness, as well as the White Cloud Peaks.

The Rec. Area is rather popular - and deservedly so. The Sawtooths and White Clouds are awesome.

For solitude, head for the Crags. Or Lemhis...”

“Cool! I haven't been there yet, and I am inspired to get in there now. Maybe next summer. Are there lakes in the Crags? It seems there is no end to the mountains in Idaho.”

“Gojo, what are you doing out in Idaho?”

“Thanks for the report. Sounds awesome! Another one for the "to do" list (and too damn many already! lol)”

“I've only driven through Idaho, on the way to Montanapalooza. So we didn't have time to explore. That's on our to do list too.

I was wondering as I read your report how Gizmo did!”

“Thanks for the report...

Any pics?”

“I B -
I was there (Challis) for about nine days - hanging out with my brother.

There are numerous lakes amongst the Crags. Ship Island is the biggest, and surrounded by spires. I was making my way in that direction, but didn't get very far. There are numerous trails with which one could do a loop(s) and fish several lakes a day.

The network of trails seem to go on forever. The "Frank" has a trail system equivilant to the length of the AT, yet only a fraction of the wilderness is accessable.

Snowgy -
Giz did fine - he's grown into a pretty good woods dog. He's quite a contrast to the little mutt that I brought to Montanapalooza...

Hey Lizzy!
do:”

“You all don’t really want to come to Idaho. All we have are potatoes and a bunch of white supremacist. There is nothing here to see so move along.”

“How do you keep you dog from ripping off his booties. I can't for the life of me, get mine to keep them on and then we she doesn't, snow constantly balls up between her pads. What's your magic?”

“LMAO, mt. gal!!!!!!”

“2 more months and i'm there......

Nobody follow me....”

“Oh yeah... And, hey, gojoeeeeeee!”

“Great report!”

“hikerjer -
Gizmo acted really freaky when I first put the bootays on him. He walked around like a drunk Tennessee walking horse - lol! He got accustomed to them, tho, once he realized that he wasn't dying.

He stopped frequently along the trail and chewed at his feet. I soon realized, tho, that he was removing ice from the hair just above the booties...

I did the practice wearing around the house, btw.

Mtn gal -
you sound like some blue-blooded, pompus Ivy Leaguer (or Backpacker.commer). Perhaps you should move out East.”

“gojo, I don't think I could take all the green.”

“Hey gojo, great report! I'm eager to get back into the Bighorn Crags, I had a VERY memorable 8 day trip there about 4 years ago. I saw only one person the entire time, and that was on my last day hiking out. I know they've had a couple big fires through there since then, I'm almost afraid to know how much has burned. Any idea? Is the area around Ship Island Lake charred?”