South Fork of the Salmon River, Central Idaho

The South Fork is the biggest tributary to the main Salmon River in terms of volume, and it is the farthest downstream.

It begins on one of the lesser known of the 100s of ridges that are maze of the Salmon River Mountains and flows northward, first attracting attention at beautiful Stolle Meadows, in a broad stream valley. The meadows are SW of local recreational hot spot of Warm Lake.

The headwaters area and Stolle Meadows/Warm Lake is becoming a wolf hot spot with several packs within about 20 miles.

The infant South Fork of the Salmon on the edge of Stolle Meadows
Copyright © Ralph Maughan

Downriver from Warm Lake, the river flows into a canyon that becomes ever deeper, gathering tributary after tributary, many of which are substantial rivers themselves, such as the East Fork of the South Fork and the Secesh River. Its deep canyon joins the deep canyon of the Main Salmon near Mackay Bar.

Confluence South Fork Salmon and its East Fork

The confluence of the South Fork of the Salmon (right) with its East Fork
Copyright © Ralph Maughan

Substantial portions of the lower canyon are roadless and part is in the Frank Church Wilderness. It is one of Idaho's most important remaining anadromous fishing rivers.

The ridges and meadows above the deep lower canyon and its tributaries now harbor many wolf packs.

Jerry Dixon wrote a fine book about the South Fork which went out of print, but which was republished on-line by the Idaho State University Outdoor Program.

See: South Fork of the Salmon: Wild and Free.

I know that to Jerry Dixon the restoration of wolves to the South Fork is a very satisfying thing. He was the first person who made me aware of its possibility, way back in the late 1970s.