North Fork, Idaho facts for kids
North Fork is a small place in Lemhi County, Idaho, that isn't officially a town. It's called an unincorporated community. The name "North Fork" comes from where two rivers meet: the North Fork of the Salmon River flows south, and the main Salmon River flows north. They join here and then turn sharply west. US 93 is the main road through North Fork. It connects the community to Salmon in the south and Lost Trail Pass to the north.
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Life in North Fork
North Fork is a quiet community. Some families, like the Cummings, Prestwich, Randolph, Hughes, Smith, and Maxwell families, have lived here for a long time. The main gathering spot is the "North Fork Store." This building also has the local post office and a small shop. There are two hotels for visitors and a U.S. Forest Service Station, which helps manage the nearby forests.
Places of Worship
The community has a Christian church that welcomes everyone. It is located about half a mile southeast of North Fork. There is also a small private Catholic chapel about five miles north, just off Highway 93 North.
Exploring the Outdoors
The area around North Fork is known for its beautiful nature and trails. Many creeks flow through the mountains, offering stunning views. Some of these notable creeks and trails include:
- Trail Gulch
- Fourth of July
- Hull Creek
- Hughes Creek
- Lick Creek
- Ditch Creek
- Burns Gulch
- Indian Creek
- Ulysses Lookout
The Ulysses Mountain Lookout
The Ulysses Mountain Lookout is a special place located northwest of North Fork. It's a great spot to see far across the landscape. Lookouts like this were often used to spot forest fires.
A Journey Through History
North Fork has a connection to a very famous journey in American history: the Lewis and Clark Expedition.
Lewis and Clark's Visit
In the early 1800s, explorers Meriwether Lewis and William Clark traveled through this area. They met a local Native American man named Toby. Historians believe they found Toby and asked him to guide them. This meeting likely happened where the North Fork and Salmon rivers meet, or at the mouth of what is now called "Hull Creek." Hull Creek is named after an early settler, John Hull. A monument once stood to remember this important meeting.
Naming Lost Trail Pass
Toby helped Lewis and Clark cross into Montana, but they got lost during the journey. This experience led to the naming of a mountain pass between Idaho and Montana: "Lost Trail Pass." The "Lost Trail Powder Mountain" Ski Area also gets its name from this historic event.
North Fork's Elevation
North Fork is located at an elevation of 3,620 feet (which is about 1,103 meters) above sea level. This means it's quite high up in the mountains!
