Idaho
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Scenic DrivesAn abundance of wildlife can be seen on foot and while traveling in a car in this vast, scenic area. Listed below are a few interesting areas to explore. Custer MotorwayThis 46-mile drive is a backcountry adventure on gravel and unimproved dirt roads, following a historic wagon road from Challis to the gold mining towns of Custer and Bonanza over an 8,800-foot mountain pass. The road is rough and narrow, with no services available along its entire length. Special attractions: The Custer Motorway itself; backcountry forest scenery; ghost towns of Custer and Bonanza; historical exhibits at Custer; the Yankee Fork Gold Dredge; and the possibility of sighting mountain goats on the slopes above Bonanza. Location
East Fork Salmon River CanyonThis 30-mile one way drive will lead visitors through sagebrush plains at 5,400 feet and through alpine forests at 10,000 feet, as the road parallels the East Fork of the Salmon River and its feeder streams. This route also offers visitors the chance to see chukars, red-talked hawks, prairie falcons, moose and mule deer at lower elevations and mountain bighorn sheep, elk and golden eagles at higher elevations. You may even catch a glimpse of the Challis wild horse herd around Road Creek and Spar Canyon. The East Fork Road is generally open and plowed during the winter, but secondary roads are usually impassable. Travel can be limited due to the four BLM Wilderness Study Areas along East Fork Road. Obtain a bird checklist from the Challis Forest Service at (208) 774-3681 or (208) 726-7672. Location
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Thousand Springs Valley
Numerous springs unite in this valley to form Chilly Springs Wetland and Mackay Reservoir. The area features impressive views of the Lost River Range, including geologic vistas of Mount Borah to the east and the White Knobs to the southwest. The resident wildlife of this area includes bald eagles, herons, ducks, mule deer, antelope and coyotes and sagebrush dominates the mid-elevation slopes.
The 1,020-acre Chilly Slough Wetland and Mackay Reservoir sit at the base of the 12,662-foot Mt. Borah and abound with many species of wildlife throughout the year. This birdwatcher's paradise comes alive in spring and fall when thousands of shorebirds and waterfowl, including cinnamon and green winged teal, mallards, shovelers, pintail, scaup and Canadian geese, flock to the area’s mudflats. It is also home to a variety of wildlife, including willets, sandhill cranes, sora rail, marsh wrens, red tailed hawks, golden eagles, northern harriers and tundra swans. A half-mile nature trail enables visitors to see the diversity of life found in the marsh up close.
If you continue driving about 10 miles north of Mackay Reservoir along Highway 93, you will find the Whiskey Springs Wildlife Viewing Site. Finally, travel about 14 miles more past Whiskey Springs for the possibility to see wintering elk at the Willow Creek Summit. (Link to Special Places table)
Location
- 98 miles west of Idaho Falls; 5 miles north of Mackay, Idaho
- To get there from Idaho Falls, follow U.S. Highway 26 to Arco (58 miles) and U.S. Highway 93 about 27 miles to Mackay.
- To get there from Mackay, drive north on U.S. Highway 93. The southern end of the valley begins just outside the town of Mackay. Willow Creek Summit marks the northern end of the valley.
Morgan Creek
Shrub steppe, riparian areas and timbered uplands along this 19-mile stretch provides a diverse environment that supports a variety of songbirds including yellow and MacGillicray’s warblers, warbling vireo, veery, song sparrow, Brewer’s and red-winged blackbirds, rock wren and Clark’s Nutcracker. From November to May, you are likely to see mule deer, pronghorn, elk and bighorn sheep.
Location
Morgan Creek Summit is 19.4 miles west of Highway 93 and approximately 30 miles northwest of Challis.
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Challis Field Office | 1151 Blue Mountain Road | Challis, ID 83226
208-879-6200 | Fax: 208-879-6219 | Office hours: 7:45am - 4:30pm, M-F
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