Recreationists should be aware that multiple rain-on-snow events in early February have taken a toll on roads throughout the Craig Mountain Wildlife Management Area (CMWMA) east of Lewiston. The CMWMA is cooperatively managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG).
The BLM’s Eagle Creek Road, which provides primary access to the Lower Salmon River, is one of several roads within the CMWMA that sustained extensive damage and large washouts. The 16-mile route is rustic and typically requires a four-wheel drive vehicle, however some sections are now impassable. With the spring thaw underway, land managers will continue to assess the area to identify specific points of the road that have been damaged. At this time there is no timeline for when repairs will be made to the road, so the public is urged to take precautions if traveling into the CMWMA.
In addition to Eagle Creek Road, roads maintained by IDFG also sustained minor to extensive damage from the February storms. Travelers planning to utilize the China Creek, Powerline, Salmon River or Wapshilla Roads should check with IDFG regarding road status before entering the CMWMA.
The primary purpose of the 124,224-acre CMWMA is to enhance wildlife and wildlife habitat, but it also offers many outdoor opportunities for the public. Recreational uses include hunting, fishing, hiking, biking, horseback riding, camping, wildlife viewing and more. The entire CMWMA is open to non-motorized travel year-round. Motorized vehicles are limited to existing roads as well as seasonal restrictions.