Unit 19, Idaho

Unit 19 covers approximately 258 square miles with dramatic elevation relief from roughly 1,970 feet at the Salmon River canyon bottom to 8,940 feet at Buffalo Hump summit. The southern edge along the Salmon River is dry, open canyon country with exposed rock and sparse vegetation, while the northern sections rise into heavily forested ridges and basins divided by a rugged, glaciated divide. High-elevation terrain above 8,000 feet is rocky and open. The entire unit is characterized as steep and mountainous, with limited vehicular access due to the Gospel Hump Wilderness comprising approximately 68% of the unit area.

Unit 19 is 98.44% U.S. Forest Service land (Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest), with approximately 1.31% private and 0.26% other. The Gospel Hump Wilderness (112,276 acres, 67.94% of the unit) prohibits all motorized vehicles; a small sliver of the Frank Church–River of No Return Wilderness (37 acres, 0.02% of the unit) touches the southern boundary. No permit is required to enter the wilderness for backpackers or stock parties. Two primary road corridors approach the unit: Buffalo Hump Road enters the northern section via the Buffalo Hump Mining District, and the Orogrande-Dixie Road (Red River Ranger Station–Dixie–Mackay Bar Road) provides eastern access — four-wheel-drive is strongly recommended on both. The Salmon River Road (#1618) runs approximately 22 miles from Riggins to the Wind River Pack Bridge on the south; float permits and daily fees are required for Salmon River access. The Slate Creek Road (#354) off US-95 near Grangeville connects to Moore's Gospel Road (#444) for an 18-mile approach from the west. There are no Access Yes! properties within the unit. The Salmon River District (west) and Red River District (east) of the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest administer the wilderness portions. Horse or pack-animal support is strongly recommended for penetrating the backcountry. Wildhorse Campground is nearby (7 campsites, no stock allowed). Mid-October weather can close or severely restrict road access into the high country.

Mixed conifer forest dominates, with pines, firs, spruces, and cedars throughout the middle elevations. South-facing slopes along the Salmon River canyon are grassy, brushy, and rocky with scattered trees and more open, arid character. Northern sections are moist and heavily forested. Bear grass grows beneath old-growth timber in shaded drainages. Large meadows occupy basin heads at higher elevations. The western portions of the unit outside the wilderness contain clearcuts in various stages of regeneration. The stark north-south habitat contrast — moist forest in the north versus dry, open canyon in the south — creates diverse conditions for multiple species.

Unit 19 supports elk, mule deer, white-tailed deer, black bear, mountain lion, gray wolf, moose, and bighorn sheep. Elk inhabit the forested mid-elevations of the unit and are part of the Selway Elk Zone (Units 16A, 17, 19, 20); elk numbers are described by IDFG as relatively low, with predation pressure from gray wolves a documented factor, though recent improvements in calf recruitment offer a more optimistic outlook. Mule deer are the primary deer harvest species, using the open south-facing slopes and mid-elevation forest; only about 25 white-tailed deer are typically harvested annually, indicating whitetail are a minor component. Moose and bighorn sheep are present and available through controlled hunt drawings. Black bears and mountain lions occur throughout. Gray wolves are present and legally huntable. The Salmon River canyon on the southern boundary provides lower-elevation winter range for deer.