The White Cloud Mountains are part of the Rocky Mountains of the western United States, located in central Idaho, southeast of Stanley in Custer County. The range is located within the Sawtooth National Recreation Area (SNRA) and partially within the Cecil D. Andrus–White Clouds Wilderness. The White Cloud Mountains are located on

National Forest A state forest or national forest is a forest that is administered or protected by some agency of a sovereign or federated state, or territory. Background The precise application of the terms vary by jurisdiction. For example: * In Australia ...

land, with numerous trails in the area. Camping is permitted anywhere on the national forest land and there are no fees to access the area. Primary access to the area is via State Highway 75, the ''Salmon River Scenic Byway,'' which accompanies the main Salmon River as it descends along the range's western and northern perimeter. The highest peak in the White Cloud Mountains, and the SNRA, is Castle Peak at . The Sawtooth Mountains are about west of the White Clouds, on the west side of the river and highway, and the Boulder Mountains are directly south of the White Clouds.

Peaks

Lakes

See '' List of lakes of the White Cloud Mountains''

Mine proposal

In 1970, it was proposed that the White Cloud Mountains be the site of an open-pit mine. The proposal became a major issue in Idaho's 1970 gubernatorial election. Incumbent Republican governor Don Samuelson favored the mine, as it would generate an estimated $4 million in revenue to the state. However, his Democratic opponent, Cecil Andrus, opposed the mine on conservation grounds. His stance was backed by many of the state's urban residents, who enjoyed vacationing at the mountains. Andrus won the election by more than four points, and it has been suggested that Andrus's stance on the mine was a contributing factor to his victory, and in particular to his victories in the normally Republican-leaning urban parts of the state.

Photos

Image:White Clouds from Sawtooths.JPG, White Cloud Mountains viewed from Sawtooth Mountains Image:Washington Lake.jpg, Washington Lake in the White Cloud Mountains File:White Cloud Peaks.jpg, Castle Peak to left of center Image:4th July Lake.JPG,

Fourth of July Lake Fourth of July Lake is an alpine lake in Custer County, Idaho, United States, located in the White Cloud Mountains in the Sawtooth National Recreation Area. The lake is accessed from Sawtooth National Forest trail 109.Sawtooth National Forest. ...

in the White Cloud Mountains Image:Castle Peak.JPG, Castle Peak Image:White Clouds.JPG, White Cloud Mountains Image:Warm Springs Creek.JPG, Warm Spring Creek in White Cloud Mountains Image:Warm Springs Meadow.JPG, Warm Springs Meadow in White Cloud Mountains Image:Sawtooth Valley and White Clouds 2.JPG, White Cloud Mountains Image:Sawtooth Valley and White Clouds.JPG, White Cloud Mountains across Sawtooth Valley Image:Leaving_Quiet_Lake.jpg, Hikers leaving

Quiet Lake Quiet Lake is an alpine lake in Custer County, Idaho, United States, located in the White Cloud Mountains in the Sawtooth National Recreation Area. While no trails lead to the lake, it can be accessed from Sawtooth National Forest trail 047.Sa ...

, which sits at the base of Castle Peak and Merriam Peak. Image:Shallow_L_with_Devil's_Staircase_on_horizon.jpg, Hikers eating lunch at

Shallow Lake Shallow Lake is an alpine lake in Custer County, Idaho, United States, located in the White Cloud Mountains in the Sawtooth National Recreation Area. While no trails lead to the lake, it can be accessed from Sawtooth National Forest trail 047.S ...

with the Devil's Staircase on the horizon.

References

External links