Galena Pass south of the Sawtooth Valley in Idaho

Galena Pass, Sawtooth Valley Salmon River: Stanley, Idaho

Today we are driving SR 75 south of Stanley, Idaho through the Sawtooth Valley to the summit of Galena Pass.

June 15, 2007

Our motorhome is in Garrity RV-Park in Nampa 10-miles west of Boise. It was $21 per-night for FHU & Cable while every place else in the area seemed to start at $26 and rapidly go up. Garrity was just fine. It was clean, well managed, the sites were close but we were not there and didn't go outside except when heading to and from the automobile. There was a good number of permanent or long term in the campground but they were being managed properly thus were no problem. We would stay at Garrity again but those that like to spend the day and evening under the awning sipping cool ones might rather be in one of the other area parks. N43° 35.245' W116° 31.592'

Our motorhome may be back in Nampa at Garrity RV-Park but we got a motel room in Stanley last night. We were on a very long scenic drive yesterday and decided that we could better experience what we wanted to see by staying in a motel overnight. We found ourselves in Stanley still wanting to check out the scenic drive along the Salmon River north on SR 75 out of Stanley plus we wanted to drive to the pass on the Scenic Drive south on SR 75. Bottom line, we needed to spend the night in Stanley if we wanted to have time to experience these areas.

We got up early Friday morning, it was the only way to accomplish all the things we wanted to do today. We headed south on SR 75 through the beautiful Sawtooth Valley toward Galena Pass & Sun Valley.

Sawtooth Valley looking north from Galean Pass with Sawtooth Mountains in background

Here is the Sawtooth Valley looking north from Galean Pass. The headwaters of the Salmon River form in this valley. The Salmon River begins as a small stream seen in the left side of this picture. It winds 420 miles across Idaho before flowing into the Snake River south of Lewiston very near the "three corners area " of Washington, Oregon and Idaho.

If you are interested, you can spot the small stream that develops into the Salmon River as it flows through the Sawtooth Valley by looking in the left center of this picture. In the grass flat area locate the thin strip of trees. Once you have located the thin strip of trees in the grass look closely along the trees and you will see a dark green line of vegetation. That dark green vegetation is growing along the bank of the small stream that develops into the Salmon River.

The Salmon River was first "discovered" by white men, in 1805 when Lewis and Clark passed this way on their epic journey. Later it was explored, with great difficulty, by fur traders and prospectors. The Salmon drains a vast tangle of rugged mountains and deep canyons in central Idaho. Before 1950, boats could not ascend the main canyon, so the Salmon got the name "river of no return". Large tracts of untamed wilderness are still found in the Salmon River Mountains.

Headwaters of the Salmon River in the Sawtooth Valley south of Stanley, Idaho

Melting snows of the Sawtooth Mountains give birth to the Salmon River. It is the beginning of a "Highway to the Sea." Within the length of the Sawtooth Valley (around 25-miles) the Salmon River develops from a small winding stream to a river of awesome beauty.

Salmon spawing area Sawtooth Valley in the Salmon River south of Stanley, Idaho as viewed from Galena Pass

The Salmon River and its tributaries provide spawning areas for Chinook Salmon, some of which swim 800 miles to lay their eggs and die. The river also supplies water for cattle and sheep, hay, and recreational activities, such as fishing and boating.

The Salmon River has also affected the destiny of Idaho. Because of the river's rugged canyons, the Lewis and Clark expedition of 1805 turned back, calling the Salmon River, "The River of No Return."

Headwaters of the Salmon River from Galena Pass Summit

While I have not mentioned it there is an exciting grade up the side of this mountain that has an exciting history. While this overlook is located at an Elevation of 8450 feet it is NOT at the summit. The Galena Pass Summit was named after a mineral containing lead, which was discovered near the headwaters of the Big Wood River in 1879.

Sawtooth Valley & Sawtooth Mountains from Galena Pass

The original road over the range of mountains dividing the Wood River Valley from the Sawtooth Valley was built and completed in 1881 by the Columbia and Beaver Company to serve their mining holdings in the Beaver Creek area. The road cost between $12,000 and $15,000 and was operated as the Columbia and Beaver Toll Road over the "Sawtooth Grade" today know as Galena Pass or Galena Summit.

The road I am discussing is SR 75, the road that connects Stanley and Sun Valley.

Some of the steep pitches were lessened in the spring of 1882 but the road remained pretty much unchanged until 1918, when a new road was built, which was much easier to travel by car. However many hazardous hairpin turns and narrow areas in the road remained until the present road was built.

Usually two or more days were needed to travel the hazardous journey over this mountain, taking one wagon to the top of the mountain, returning for the second and sometimes third wagon, then continuing down the following day. Large trees were cut at the summit and attached to the back of the heavily loaded wagons to help brake their descent. This practice continued after the arrival of the car to help control downhill speed. For many years afterward a pile of logs remained at the base of each side of the mountain. Stories are told that the ascent was so steep in places cars had to back up the inclines in order to keep gas from draining from the fuel pumps and lines.

During the winter, mail and supplies were delivered from Ketchum to Sawtooth Valley either by dogsled or by men on snowshoes. Then in the early spring crews of men shoveled the road to clear it for travel.

Galena Pass Overlook

Galena Overlook is located near the Galena Pass summit with an awesome view to the north overlooking the beautiful Sawtooth Valley.

Galena Pass Summit

It would have been nice to be able to continue on this road to Sun Valley but that would have been another 30-miles to get there and we would have had to return this way in order to get back to the motorhome. So, at the Galena Summit, we turned around and retraced our route to Stanley.

RV'ers note the 8,701 elevation. If you are contemplating a visit to Stanley in your RV make sure that you have equipment (drivetrain) to get over this grade and remember that you need to be able to gear your RV down and ease down the grade keeping your speed under control.

Sawtooth Mountains south of Stanley, Idaho

We didn't go all the way into Sun Valley. Our plan was to climb Galena Pass to the summit (Galena Pass) between Stanley and Sun Valley then turn around and return to Stanley.

We are falling off Galena Pass in this picture as we make our way back through the Sawtooth Valley along the Salmon River to Stanley.

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