Q: You may or may not know that the U.S. Forest Service is removing the Inlet Campground at Stanley Lake.
At this point, I don’t know what is taking place, so informing the rest of the camping public is my next challenge.
Could you put some information out there so the rest of the campers, who love this area and like it the way it is, will put their voices toward stopping this project?
I am just amazed how many folks here in the Treasure Valley, and even those I spoke to while camping at Stanley Lake Inlet this past fall, had no idea that things were changing for this pristine site.
WAYNE HANNERS, via email
A: You’re right, Inlet Campground at Stanley Lake is destined to be closed and the campsites moved to rehabilitate the wetlands area where they are located.
The project will probably get under way in 2014, when money becomes available for the $1 million project, which includes relocating campsites, restoring wetlands and renovating the Bridal Veil Falls trail and trailhead and boat launch.
From what I’m hearing from the U.S. Forest Service, you’ll still be able to camp at Inlet Campground for a couple of summers. The campground will not be closeduntil the improvements are funded and the new facilities are in place.
Sawtooth Area Ranger Sara Baldwin signed the decision authorizing the Stanley Lake Recreation Complex Reconstruction Project in September. Nobody appealed the decision.
The public was first alerted about the proposed project in July 2007. Since that time, the Forest Service put out a news release and stories were published in four Idaho newspapers. It did prompt negative letters from the public.
There’s a lot of sentimentalattachment to that campground, according to Steve Frost, project manager with the SawtoothNational Recreation Area.
The project proposal received a lot of interest during the comment period in October 2009.
I agree with Frost’s comment about sentimental attachment. It’s a popular campground and it’s tough to get a campsite during the busy summer.
The times I’ve camped there, I loved the feel of the area and its proximity to the lake. It’s really beautiful.
But, the campground’s repeated flooding in spring and early summer was a maintenance nightmare. There were other problems, too, like the campground being located in a wetland, the disorganized parking on the gravel bar used for a boat launch and the flooded trail. The problems raised concerns for the Forest Service.
So, here’s what’s going to happen:
Æ The Stanley Lake Inlet Campground will be closed, the facilities removed and the currently occupied wetlands area rehabilitated.
The 14 campsites and associated facilities will be replaced and constructed on the northeast corner of Stanley Lake in the vicinity of Stanley Lake Campground.
The Forest Service says overnight capacity for developed camping will remain the same.
The Forest Service did tweak its plans because of comments from campers.
Campsites will be put as close to the lake as possible, but nowhere near as close as the campsites were atInlet Campground. No distance was given.
“Most of the sites will have quite nice lake views, but will not be on the water,” said Frost. “There will be trail access to the water.”
Æ The existing Inlet Campground will be turned into day-use natural area. There also will be a day-use beach.
Æ A new boat launch will be built and have designated parking.
Æ The fishing dock was going to be moved, but because of public comments it will be kept in the same spot. It will be wheelchair accessible.
Æ Parking will be improved at the Bridal Veil Falls Trailhead, and the trail will be moved and improved because it also gets flooded in the spring and early summer.
Æ Trails will be modified in the area to separate pedestrians from vehicle traffic, create more accessible routes and decrease trail congestion.
Æ Undeveloped camping within the Stanley Lake watershed will occur in designated areas only. Overall capacity and opportunities for dispersed camping, which popular in the area, will remain about the same in the new project.
Æ Vegetation will be improved in the Stanley Lake Creek watershed, which will include removal of hazardous trees and excessive fuels for wildfires, as well as revegetation within the campgrounds.
The project sounds like it’s a go. For more information, call Frost at (208)727-5022.
FISHING THE SELWAY
Q: You have been down the Selway in low water. What date would you recommend for a fishing trip? Late July or August?
RANDY STONE, e-mail
A: Well, ideally I like the last two weeks in July or the first week in August.
The problem with July is that you’ll need to get a permit and the competition is tight for this river.
Applications for a permit have to be submitted in the Four Rivers Lottery and the deadline was Jan. 31. It’s possible to get a permit if someone cancels, but don’t count on it.
The river is open to floating without a permit starting Aug. 1, but you can expect dozens of rafters to be launching during the first three days of the non-permit season.
When I’ve run the river in late July, the flows were low, but very manageable with smaller rafts like Aire Super Pumas.
When I’ve run it in August, the water was really low, and there was a lot of bumping and grinding in rock gardens. There were a few places where you had to get out and push rafts over low spots and rocks.
The further into August you get, the more the trip turns into something you’ll want to do self-supported in an inflatable kayak.
But one thing about it, late in the season, the Selway is fun fishing for cutthroat trout.
Pete Zimowsky: 377-6445
