Happy Birthday SNRA
Forty years ago a bunch of Idaho environmentalists (a bit of an oxymoron, I know) came together to protect a beloved part of the state. The conservation battle started when mining company ASARCO made plans to create an open pit molybdenum mine at Castle Peak in the White Clouds. Frank Church, Orval Hansen, Cecil Andrus and others used their political prowess to preserve the Sawtooth and White Cloud Mountains and, in 1972, created the Sawtooth National Recreation Area (SNRA). For the last forty years, the land, fish, and wildlife within this area have been protected from development and other harmful activities. This summer is a time the celebrate. Forty years of quiet woods, undiminished views, open valleys. And a future of much of the same. So get out. Get winded from steep sawtooth ascents. Let a little Salmon River snow melt slap the life back into your life. Careen through the pine on bike or foot. Take advantage of this incredible area and the incredible efforts of a few Idahoans.