Many of the topics listed on Map #1 could easily be shifted to this map page instead. Rather than relist them here, please consult Map #1 (Buckhorn to Stanley)
The Stanley to Mormon Bend stretch is very popular with beginning and novice paddlers. It is generally considered safe at higher, fast flows as long as novice paddlers understand where the takeout is located at Mormon Bend.
At lower, summer flows, all manner of informal flotation devices are seen on various portions of the Stanley-Mormon Bend stretch from inner tubes to swimming pool flotation rings. The summertime level of this stretch is very low and fishermen are often encountered fly fishing in waders from the middle of the river channel. The stretch is seldom out of sight of the highway and there are ample pullouts for parents to check on their children.
This would be a great map page on which to include a geologic description of the Idaho Batholith.
There are three campgrounds upriver fro Mormon Bend, two on river left and one on river right, Casino Creek. There is a small informal river access point at the very up river edge of Casino Creek Campground suitable for ingree and egress with small, easily portable, lightweight flotation devices.
Access to and from the river at the campgrounds on river left is less convenient than at Casino Campground.
There is also informal access at the river left end of the Casino Creek Bridge.
The SNRA closes various portions of The Salmon River each August-September to protect spawning salmon. Perhaps a mention of these closures needs to be made on one or more of the map pages inside the SNRA.
The Mormon Bend RAP is a very highly developed RAP with all the amenities, ample parking, excellent turning radius and a very wide, accommodating boat ramp. However, first time users will not necessarily see the actual boat ramp until they are right on top of it. If they are positioned too far into the right side of the river's channel, they may be unable to traverse left quickly enough to reach the boat ramp. At lower summer flows this is not much of a problem. At higher spring flows this could easily become problematic. It is advisable for first time paddlers to actually take a look at the Mormon Bend boat ramp and familiarize themselves with the up river topography.
When we have put in first time paddlers here, we always give them ample warning of this issue and then stand at the water edge at the boat ramp to wave them in upon their arrival.
There is a geothermal resource on this stretch of river. We would recommend not calling attention to this spot in the formal guide. Parking is barely sufficient for one vehicle. Physical access to the metal sphere that holds the hot water is tenuous and possibly dangerous. We feel it's best left unmentioned.
This map page contains the most popular of The Salmon River campgrounds down river form Stanley. It might be a good place to mention that they are managed by a licensed concessionaire and that numerous spots in each campground can be reserved online through Recreation.Gov.
The other descriptive issue that comes into play here is whether to note and/or describe smaller side streams.
For example, Casino Creek is obviously going to get mentioned because there is a bridge and a campground bearing that name. Should a note be made of the extend of its watershed? We are of the opinion that only truly major tributaries deserve more than a passing mention in this guide but there's a fine line between which tributaries to choose for a more extensive description.
We suggest that BLM Staff use a larger scale map of The Salmon River and "red X" the tributaries they feel are important enough to merit more than a passing mention of the confluence.
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