Washed-out Salmon River Road to
reopen
NORTH FORK--The Salmon River
Road is tentatively schedule to reopen Thursday June 26, downstream from the
Salmon River’s confluence with the Middle Fork.
Spring high water eroded into
the road bank in late May. The Salmon-Challis National Forest initiated
emergency repair work to the road in the Kitchen and Fountain Creek areas last
week.
"This is an emergency
fix in order to accommodate private property owners and the thousands of
recreationists who rely on the road being open to Corn Creek. We are now
beginning the formal process necessary to complete the permanent road repair
work," said District Ranger Patty Bates.
The emergency work includes
shoring up the downhill shoulder after expanding the ditch on the uphill side to
re-establish a one lane road bed. Large rocks and rip rap were placed along the
bank to stabilize the road edge. The road is now slightly narrower than it was
before and is still considered a one-lane road.
"We are asking drivers
to be extra cautious and to keep an eye on on-coming traffic" stated Bates.
Boaters will be able to
launch from Corn Creek and the check-in operations will resume there once the
road is reopened.
Limited parking is always a
problem in the Salmon River Canyon. Please park considerately at the launch
sites and be mindful that Forest Service regulations prohibit vehicles from
blocking, restricting or otherwise interfering with the use of a road or parking
lot, Bates said.
"We want everyone to
have a pleasant experience while enjoying the National Forest, and appreciate
everyone’s patience while we worked out this short term fix for the
road."