The dam and the power plant were constructed in May of 1910. Power from the plant was utilized by the Sunbeam Consolidated Gold Mines Company at their mine and mill located 13 miles up the Yankee Fork at Jordan Creek. It didn’t last long, just 11 months, before the company realized their upside-down venture and the power plant and dam were sold at a Sheriff’s Auction in April of 1911.

In 1934 the dam was partially blown up. There are various reports with broad discrepancies outlining the details of how the dam eventually met its demise. One report, from the then-former governor of Idaho, Cecil Andrus, states “a party or parties unknown ran a dynamite-laden raft into Sunbeam Dam.” Another report reads, “In 1910, miners built Sunbeam Dam on the Salmon River east of Stanley, cutting off the sockeye’s migration route. They were thought to have gone extinct in the 1920s. But the fish reappeared in 1931 after sportsmen blew a hole in Sunbeam Dam.”

Those who stop at Sunbeam Dam will find another theory behind the cause of the gaping hole in the dam. A sign at the historic overlook says this:

“The dam’s fish ladders eventually fell into disrepair. Idaho Fish and Game then contracted the blasting of the bank next to the dam to allow fish passage in 1934.”

Regardless of how the dam was blown up there are two things we know are true: Sockeye Salmon have one less obstacle to contend with on their trek to Redfish Lake and whitewater rafters on this stretch of river sure have a unique rapid to navigate.

The Middle Fork Lodge has a storied history on the Middle Fork of the Salmon River. First established in the 1940’s, it served as the year-round residence of the Tom McCall family. It soon became a family business to run the “Dude Ranch” and the hunters, or “dudes”, were flown into the Forest Service dirt airstrip just a mile downstream. In fact, much of the supplies and materials used to build the structures were flown into that very airstrip, which is now known as the “Thomas Creek Airstrip”. Items that couldn’t be flown in were packed in by horse or mule or, in some instances, floated in by sweep boat.

As the Lodge gained popularity and prestige it began to take in some high-profile celebrities. Two U.S. Presidents have spent nights at the Middle Fork Lodge. With the closest town of Meyer’s Cove being 40 miles, no roads leading in or out of the property, and the fact that it’s located in the largest wilderness area in the Lower 48, the seclusion and isolation of the Lodge makes it the perfect true “get-away” for visitors.

Today’s Middle Fork Lodge has been remodeled extensively to meet the demands of its clients. High-speed satellite internet, a huge meeting room overlooking the river, and a wide array of outdoor activities offered make it a prime candidate for business meetings and team building events.

Occasionally, river rafting or fly-fishing groups that are floating the Middle Fork of the Salmon will spend a night at the Lodge. For most trips, this is mile 36 of their float down the river and marks their second or third day. Staying at the Lodge means warm showers, a night of comfortable sleep, and a beautiful place to call home for the night.

For more information about the Middle Fork Lodge, visit them online at www.MiddleForkLodge.com.

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

Season: Summer
Hours: Memorial Day-Labor Day, 11am-5pm Daily

From 1940 until it closed in August of 1952, the dredge dug out rock and recovered gold by washing and separating the rock, dirt and gold. The Snake River Mining Company operated the dredge for several years until it reached a rock dike below Bonanza in 1949. At that time, they sold it to J.R. Simplot the potato magnate form Boise who operated the dredge from 1951 The dredge was then operated until 1952 when it ran out of mining claims on which to work. The dredge has not been operated since 1952.

The dredge is 112 feet long, 54 feet wide, 64 feet high and weighs 988 tons. The fine material was dispersed into 32 sluice boxes where the gold was collected by the mercury process. This was reportedly a very efficient dredge, taking out about 80% of the gold available.

The destruction of the Yankee Fork stream is hard to imagine until one sees the miles of boulders and pools formed by this giant dredge as it ate its way up the stream. Huge losses of trout, steelhead and salmon were lost in the devistation of the stream. In those days people thought more of jobs and money ( even today that mentallity still excists in soem areas) rather than the environment, and today we pay the cost. Fish have returned to the Yankee Fork but not in the numbers before the days of the dredge.

Mr. J.R. Simplot, the last owner, donated the dredge to the U.S. Forest Service. In 1979, The Forest service had no funds to maintain nor keep the dredge open as a visitor attraction. Former employees and their families formed an association to restore and keep the dredge open to the public. This group of volunteers has restored the dredge and it is open for guided tours.
The Yankee Fork Gold Dredge is open from Memorial Day 10:00 A.M. to 4:30 P.M through Labor Day weekend.

DIRECTIONS:

Follow state Highway 75 for 13 miles east of Stanley, then turn north at the Sunbeam Dam onto the Yankee Fork Road and follow the dirt road for nine miles. The $3 fee for a guided tour is used for the preservation of the dredge and the heritage of the Yankee Fork.

The ranch property was originally a homestead by a pioneer to the Stanley Basin named Dave Williams. The homestead was purchase in 1929 by an executive of the Frigidaire Corporation, Winston Paul who had the lodge and cabins built and then formed the Idaho Rocky Mountain Club.  A private retreat by invitation only.  The third owner was Ed Bogert, an automobile dealer from Pocatello, Idaho.  With that purchase a new era began. instead of a private ranch it became a guest ranch. With the passing of Mr. Bogert his daughter Rozalys Smith took over the operation. The tradition of a family guest ranch continued until 2005.  Today, as in the past it is a family owned and operated guest ranch. Steve and Courtney Kapp and David Singer and Diana Kapp run the ranch to insure the preservation of the history and guest operation which continues  bringing people from all walks of life to a truely awesome  part of Idaho.

The folks at Solitude River Trips heartidly recomend a stay at this truley unique and friendly ranch with the most beautiful view of the Sawtooth Mountains. Their warm hospitallity and that of their staff make you feel  like one of the family. Great food, great music, great things to do.

Contact Idaho Rocky Mountain Ranch at the following:

ICMR Idaho Rocky Mountain Ranch, HC 64 Box 9934. Stanley, Idaho 83278. Phone: 1-208-774-3644. Fax: 1-208-774-3477. E-Mail: Info@IdahoRocky.com Web Site: www.IdahoRocky.com

Happy Trails,

While spendnng time at the ranch why not extend your vacation and come float and fish the Middle Fork of the Salmon River for 5 nights and 6 days and 100 miles of wilderness with Solitude River Trips. Visit Solitude at www.RiverTrips.com