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The
Custer Motorway
A
great day excursion you may want to take is the Custer Motorway.
Completed in 1879 between Challis and Custer, the toll road was
built to deliver supplies and mining equipment to the Yankee
Fork mining towns and camps. This is a great self-guided, historical
and scenic auto route with designated stops. The road is not
clear of snow until June and is not recommended for large motor
homes or trailers or vehicles with low clearance. If you like
to mountain bike and have packs, this could be a great 2 or 3
day trip.
We
suggest taking Highway 75 from Stanley,(stop at River 1 for your to-go
espresso), and driving to Sunbeam (about 14 miles down river
from Stanley), where you will head up the Yankee Fork of the
Salmon River. Paved for the first three miles, the road winds
along the river. Bonanza and Custer town sites, which are on
the National Register of Historic Places, are about 9 miles up
the Yankee Fork. There you can take a walking tour of Custer
and a tour of the Yankee Fork Dredge. This was the largest gold
dredge to operate in Idaho. It was assembled on the Yankee Fork
in 1940 and used until 1952, producing $1.8 million in gold.
Continuing
on the Custer Motorway, you will find beautiful scenic views,
wildlife and will end up in the town of Challis which has restaurants,
banking, gas stations, a historical museum and some small unique
shops.
The
Yankee Fork Visitor Center is located at the intersection of
Highways 75 and 93. There you will find additional information
and displays of the areas rich mining history. The return journey
via Highway 75, will lead you through the small town of Clayton.
A smelter was constructed there in 1880 to serve the mining claims
on Bayhorse, Slate and Kinnikinic Creeks.
From
Clayton, you are about 35 miles from Stanley. The drive is a
lazy, winding road along the river. The Sunbeam Hot Springs,
located one mile upriver from Sunbeam, makes a great rest stop.
There is a hot springs pool there and the water is very warm!
Please
come into River
1 and
we will be happy to answer all your questions regarding this
and many other day trips here in the Sawtooth National Recreation
Area. |
