Stanley, Idaho

After looking around the Middle Fork, made the trip back to the paved highway and traveled the twenty miles to Stanley. This rustic town of 100 brave souls lies in the middle of the Sawtooth National Recreation Area with fantastic views all around, but specifically the jagged granite peaks of the Sawtooths. We are seeing some night time temps below freezing. Stanley averages more than 286 days each year with temperatures below freezing and is routinely the coldest place in the lower 48 states. But it is fantastic this time of year and we have decided that this is the place to be for 6-7 days. Due to our late arrival on Monday and the cold rain and snow we had driven through, we opted to spend the night in one of the Mom/Pop motels that we enjoy so much - we are in a retro mood sometimes! We then moved to Casino Creek campground 5 miles out of Stanley, so we can get back into this very cool, quaint town, and within driving distance of other places we intend to enjoy. Although we are camping on the Salmon River, the fishing in this stretch is not too exciting - only small stocker rainbows (we think it is stocked enough to feed the dozens of osprey along the river). Note the stream side/roadside "hot tub" that some inventive soul has installed to take advantage of one of the many hot springs in the area. Redwood Cabins in Lower Stanley What the heck are you lookin' at?? Hot tub anyone? Cool ducks, but what kind? Our friend Greg says they are Common Mergansers.