The Selway Crags are found at the southern edge of the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness Area. This rugged area is discussed in the book beginning on Page 64. This region contains the most extensively glaciated peaks in the central Clearwater Mountains. It is vertical country that is not crowded and is well worth a visit. Chimney Peak and Fenn Mountain are most impressive summits in this area.
The Selway Crags as viewed from Peak 6540 just north of Lolo Pass.
Much of the Selway Crags area was burned years ago, leaving a lot of granite exposed and making the region look higher than its 6,000′-8,000′ terrain would lead one to expect. Old Man Lake, Selway Crags.
The area’s lakes make good base camps and fishing destinations.
A moose at Cove Lake. This is wild country. I have not visited the area since wolves were introduced.
It is up-and-down terrain which is not easily traversed.
There are open ridges which can be traversed with difficulty. This view is looking north from near the top of Big Fog Mountain.
The deep canyons are filled with thick forests.
A dry camp on Jesse Pass. It doesn’t get any better than this. There is a spring about a half-mile down the west side of the pass.
A llama train crossing Jesse Pass in 1988.
Hiking in the Selway Crags runs the spectrum from open terrain to moderately-forested terrain. Trails range from well-marked to hard-to-find.
While not every peak in this area is spectacular, peaks like Chimney Peak are among Idaho’s finest summits.
Regions: Central Clearwater Peaks->NORTHERN IDAHO->Selway Crags
Mountain Range: Central Clearwater Peaks
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