Q: I am associated with a Boy Scout Troop from Sandpoint, and we are thinking of hiking the whole length of the Selway for their 50-miler.

Have you hiked the whole thing or know someone who has?

I'd love to get general information on the trail, any special recommendations and any fishing tips for the river.

I am just starting to research it and will probably find more stuff on the Internet.

I did see one of your articles from 2011. I think the trail must be kept in pretty good condition and mostly flat.

I know the trail from Bear Creek to Moose Creek from years ago.

I'll contact the U.S. Forest Service as well.

STAN MYERS, email

A: The Selway River Trail is one of the most pristine hikes in the Lower 48 and a hike of a lifetime.

The trail goes through the 1.3 million-acre Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness near the Montana-Idaho border. What magnificent country. The Scouts won't forget this trip.

The almost 50-mile hike from Paradise boat launch downstream to the Race Creek Campground offers incredible scenery, solitude and wildlife watching, especially for black bears and rattlesnakes. Only kidding - there are deer and other critters, but you remember the rattlers and bears. Be bear wise - no candy in the tents and make sure everyone knows how to identify and avoid rattlers.

Although the trail is well maintained and easy to follow, you'll probably want to take more than five days to do the trek so it isn't a forced march.

Most people consider it a moderate hike because of the length and the heat in the summer. The season is mid-May through fall, but you may want to do it in late June or early July.

My wife hiked the trail with some friends a few summers ago while I rowed a raft for support. It worked out great.

However, you'll need to find someone with one of the limited permits for the wilderness river if you want raft support. You don't need a permit after July 31 when the permit season ends.

Another idea is to fly in a food drop and supplies to the Moose Creek Airstrip if you want to cut down weight in your backpacks. The Moose Creek Airstrip is pretty much the halfway point.

Backcountry air services, such as Backcountry Aviation in Cottonwood, offer this service. Call 962-2349, or go to flybackcountryaviation.com.

You can call the Moose Creek Ranger District at 926-4258 for details and trail conditions.

You might also take a look at the book "A Falcon Guide - Hiking the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness" by Scott Steenberg.

Pete Zimowsky: 377-6445, Twitter: @Zimosoutdoors