2024 Map of Obsidian

About this map

Sawtooth Valley serves as a critical corridor through the Idaho wilderness, where the high-altitude settlement of Obsidian sits along the upper reaches of the Salmon River. This 2024 survey details a landscape defined by dramatic transitions from river bottomlands to the jagged peaks of the Sawtooth Range. The area is a nexus of public land management, split between the Sawtooth National Forest and Challis National Forest. A complex network of backcountry routes, including the Hell Roaring Trl and Bull Moose Trl, provides access to remote drainage basins like Club Canyon and prominent landmarks such as Shaw Mesa. Notable water bodies like Yellow Belly Lake and the confluence of Fourth of July Creek with the main river system highlight the hydrological importance of this high mountain basin. The presence of the Hell Roaring Ranch Airport near Decker Flat indicates the logistical challenges and unique transportation needs of this isolated Custer County region.