Unit 27, Idaho

The unit covers approximately 982,226 acres (roughly 1,535 square miles) of extreme backcountry terrain. Elevation ranges from approximately 3,025 feet along river canyon bottoms to 10,082 feet at Mount McGuire, with other notable high points including Aggipah Mountain (9,920 ft), Puddin Mountain (9,684 ft), and Mount Wilson (9,580 ft). The Middle Fork of the Salmon River cuts through deep canyons flanked by steep, rugged ridgelines. Terrain includes open grassy slopes, high mountain meadows, alpine basins, and rocky summits. The headwaters of the Middle Fork begin around 7,000 feet, meaning deep snow and sub-freezing temperatures are possible by mid-October.

Access is extremely limited — 94.82% of the unit (931,338 acres) lies within the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness, where all motorized vehicle use is prohibited. Three primary access methods exist: (1) Air: Several backcountry airstrips serve the unit interior, including Big Creek Airstrip (approximately 30 minutes by air from McCall), Indian Creek Airstrip, Thomas Creek Airstrip, and a private strip at Pistol Creek. Flying services include Sawtooth Flying Service, Arnold Aviation, McCall Aviation, Stanley Air Service, and Middle Fork Air. (2) Float: The Middle Fork of the Salmon River (a Wild and Scenic River) provides raft access through the canyon corridor. (3) Road and trail periphery: Highway 21 north of Stanley (Sawtooth Scenic Byway) provides access to the southern boundary; Forest Road 579 from Warm Lake connects to Forest Roads 447 and 447E. The Seafoam Ranger Station and several lake access points are reachable by forest roads off Highway 21. Key trailheads include the Mule Trail (Indian Creek area) and Big Creek Trailhead. The Salmon-Challis, Boise, and Payette National Forests manage surrounding road networks. No Access Yes! properties are not currently available in this unit. Once beyond road-end, travel is exclusively by foot or horseback.

The unit is 99.55% forested with minimal rangeland (0.45%). North- and east-facing slopes and deep draws are predominantly timbered with Engelmann spruce, subalpine fir, lodgepole pine, and other conifers. Open south-facing slopes feature grassy benches, sagebrush, and scattered shrub fields that provide primary forage for deer and elk. Post-fire burn areas support a mosaic of grass, browse, and regenerating conifers that concentrate game. Old-growth forest provides escape cover but limited forage. Alpine zones above 8,000 feet transition to meadows and rocky basins. Riparian corridors along the Middle Fork and its tributaries support willow and alder.

Elk (Rocky Mountain) are present but below management objectives; wolf reintroduction has significantly reduced elk populations, with the herd concentrated in canyon drainages and high meadows. Mule deer inhabit the unit throughout, using open south-facing slopes and canyon breaks; mature bucks are most accessible during late-season controlled hunts in November when deer move to lower elevations. White-tailed deer occur but are rarely harvested in this unit. Black bear are present across the unit in forested habitats. Mountain lion are present year-round. Moose occupy riparian corridors and wet drainages. Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep occupy steep rocky canyon terrain, with regulated controlled hunts in the unit and adjacent sub-units (27-1, 27L). Mountain goat are present on high rocky terrain and available by controlled draw. Gray wolf packs are established in the unit and actively hunted. Upland birds including chukar, blue grouse, and ruffed grouse are present. The Middle Fork of the Salmon River supports native steelhead and salmon.