A popular stop for those on Middle Fork of the Salmon rafting or fishing trips, the Flying “B” Ranch (known simply as “the B” to most guides), has a small store used sometimes to restock float trips for their final 35 miles to the confluence with the Main Salmon River. They carry rare wilderness items like block ice, ice cream, beer and soda.

Getting supplies to the Flying “B” is no easy chore. With no road access, nearly all items are flown in via small back-country planes. When items can’t be flown in they are floated from Boundary Creek, the normal launch site for Middle Fork of the Salmon trips, to the ranch, more than 65 miles downstream. A photo in Cort Conley’s guide book to the Middle Fork of the Salmon shows a VW Bus loaded on a sweep boat on its way to the Flying “B” Ranch.

Many often wonder what exactly the “B” stands for in the Flying “B” name. Captain Bernard was a major player in the Sheepeater Indian War. Bernard Creek enters the river from the left only a mile downstream of the ranch.

Those who stay at the Flying “B” Ranch are treated to great meals and even better surroundings. The Middle Fork canyon in this area is wide-open but the “B” marks the start of what has become known to boaters as “Impassable Canyon” – where the canyon shortly pinches in and the river picks up speed. Trails from the “B” go both upstream and downstream, which allows visitors access to hundreds of miles of trail to explore, side creeks to fish, and vistas to climb.

More information about the Flying “B” Ranch:

Online: www.flyingresortranches.com
Phone: 877-562-1129
Email: flyingresort@centurytel.net

Getting to Redfish Lake is a breeze. Take Highway 75 headed South for approximately 4.5 miles. Next, turn right onto Redfish Lake Road. Continue for two miles before making another left (stay on Redfish Lake Road) and arriving at the lake.

Facilities at the lodge include a great restaurant that has windows looking out at the lake. There is also outdoor seating, which in the summer time is quite pleasant. There are lots of different lodging options: from small and large cabins to single rooms – each one is rustic but comfortable. For large groups, some of the cabins include a kitchen.

Recreation around the lake area is plentiful. From hiking, biking, and running trails to fishing, swimming, and paddling in the lake itself – opportunities abound.

What’s the perfect closing to a fun day outside? Lay down on the front lawn of the lodge and listen to live music resonate off the neighboring mountains. The Redfish Lake Lodge has a schedule of musicians available on their website at www.redfishlake.com.  The evenings are fun, festival, and delicious. The menu features their famous Prime Rib, but for a more local bite go for the Ruby Red Idaho Trout.

For more information about Redfish Lake, visit www.redfishlake.com or call them at  208-774-3563.

Boise places a high emphasis on connecting residence and visitors with the many outdoor opportunities Idaho offers, including those within the city. What is normally associated with city life – congestion, filth, and lack of outdoor recreation opportunities – is not the case when it comes to Boise. The Boise Greenbelt is a great example of how much the city cares about outdoor recreation.

In 1964 Boise hired a consultant to update the city’s zoning ordinance. He suggested creating the “green belt” by acquiring land on the banks of the Boise River and building trails to connect the community. A few years later, three small parcels of land were donated to the city to begin the project. In 1969 the city developed and appointed the Greenbelt and Pathways Committee to guide the city to the development of the Greenbelt.

Today the Greenbelt trail runs for 23 miles on both the North and South banks of the Boise River and covers over 850 acres. It is maintained by the Boise Parks & Recreation Department. Popular activities include biking and walking on the trails, but there are also various river access points along the way. The Boise River is a popular river for tubing during the summer months and because the Greenbelt is owned by the city there is ample access to the river.

As the river and trails wind their way downstream they pass through 12 city parks that offer amenities such as horseshoes, barbeque pits, and playgrounds. One of the parks even has a reflective pool and golf course. Other popular stops on the trail are at Boise State University, the Ram Brewery, and the City Zoo.

The Boise Greenbelt really does offer great outdoor recreational activities. From biking to golfing, to checking out animals at the zoo, there’s something for everyone at the Greenbelt!

Sawtooth & Alpine Lakes:

Round trip to Sawtooth Lake – 10 miles

Round trip to Alpine Lake     -   8 miles

Intermediate hiking and moderately strenuous

This is a not to be missed hike in the Sawtooth Mountains that includes everything you would want to see on a hike in the mountains.  The trail starts at the Iron Creek trailhead which can be accessed by driving 2 miles West of Stanley on Highway 21 then driving about 3 miles on a dirt road to the Iron Creek Trailhead and Campground.

This hike is starts in the forest and at about 1 mile it opens up into a beautiful alpine meadow.  It continues on into the forest again and begins to climb a bit for about 2 more miles.  After crossing the creek in an open alpine basin, the trail climbs more abruptly on switchbacks to the turnoff to Alpine Lake which is about ¼ mile off of the main trail.   The trail continues on up for approximately another mile or so switchbacking back and forth on a ridgeline with incredible views of the mountains and valley below.  At the top the trail passes a small lake and a few hundred yards farther it opens up on Sawtooth Lake and Mt Regan.

Fourth of July & Washington Lakes:

Round Trip to Fourth of July Lake – 3.6 miles

Round Trip to Washington Lake —  5.6 miles

Easy hiking at about 9,500 foot elevation

This is a great hike for a taste of what the White Cloud mountains on the East side of the Sawtooth Valley are like.  The elevation is higher than the Sawtooths, the geology is different and the sense of being in the mountains is overwhelming for such a short hike.  The access road for this hike is located about 15 miles south on Highway 75 from Stanley to the Fourth of July Creek Road.  Drive about 10 miles on a dirt road which can be a bit bumpy to reach the trailhead.

The hike starts in the forest and reaches Fourth of July Lake at about 1. 8 miles where the lake, the meadow around the lake and the mountain views are incredible.  Washington Lake is about another mile over a small pass and down a bit from there.  It is in a tighter basin with views as great as those at Fourth of July.

Marsh Creek (headwaters of the Middle Fork of the Salmon River):

Easy hiking for any amount of mileage as the trail follows the river and a turn around can be done at any time.

The trailhead can be reached by driving northwest from Stanley on Highway 21 to the turnoff for Lolo Campground and Bradley Boy Scout Camp.  Turn off the highway and follow the dirt road a mile or two to the trail head which is beyond Lolo Campground.

The hike follows Marsh Creek which is one of the two main tributary streams that form the Middle Fork of the Salmon River.   At about 1 ¼ mile, the trail crosses the stream on a bridge and from there on it opens up in some areas with views of surrounding mountains and at other times it is in thicker forest, but is always follows the stream.

At about 5 miles Marsh Creek meets up with Bear Valley Creek to become the Middle Fork of the Salmon.  The confluence of these two streams is called “The Big Hole” and is a great place to eat lunch and turn around for the return trip.

For more information and a great map of hiking and mountain biking trails look for “Sawtooth & White Cloud Mountains” trail map produced by Adventure Maps.  It can be purchased at McCoy’s Tackle shop, online at www.adventuremaps.net or sales@adventuremap.net or by calling 1-800-849-6589.