Middle Fork (ID) zone trip 10 days out

[tjack1001]

I am doing a DIY elk trip with a couple of good buds to an area near the Sawtooths (Stanley) in Idaho from the 15th to the 22nd. Its a 6-7 hour hike in to the camp and the altitude is all around 6000 feet. I expect it to be nippy, as some of my customers (I'm a lumber trader) in the ID Panhandle have said its been getting into the 20's already. My question is a long shot:

Are there any Ifishers in the area (or anyone know anyone who has pack animals for hire, that we could contact if successful, for hauling meat out?

I'm 40 and in pretty good shape and my buddies are seriously fit, but a couple of guys bailed on the trip at the last second, leaving us with three total. We are still committed to this trip, but (having hauled elk before) the math says that (at a quarter apiece) it's two trips in and out per elk - 7 hours each way with three guys.

Any contacts in the Sun Valley to Stanley area would be much appreciated.

And yes, I plan to be a good little ifisher and digitally document this trip for posting when we get back!

Thanks in advance to anyone who might be able to help!

BTW, we pay cash!!!!

[huffmad]

I'll be over there the same time in unit 27. should be a great hunt. I can't help you with your pack needs but if you are packing in 6 hours on you back and then plan on packing it out on your back your more of a man then I am. that country is darn steep!

[Idahoan]

I grew up in Bellevue which is only 20 minutes from Sun Valley. I haven't hunted there since the early 90s. You might try Silver Creek Outfitters. Or talk to the folks that run Smiley Creek store, just up the hwy 20 miles or so from Stanley.

Good luck that is awesome country and watch out for the wolves. They are getting thick over there but there are still elk around from what my friends tell me.

[blacktail hunter]

good luck out there.

[James in Idaho]

I googled up two possibles:

Middle Fork Outfitters and Mystic Saddle Ranch

I don't know anything about either one, but it might help. Good luck, we're packing in south of Palisades Lake, but we have our own stock.

[Turnerjo13]

I will be up in that area starting tomorrow but I don't have the ability to loan you horses. Good luck

[tjack1001]

Thanks all....possible scheduling conflict may have just busted the trip for me, but I'm holding out hope and gonna check the joints you guys suggested. Covered a lot of coast range bush this weekend (in a futile effort to find anything with hair on it) with the thought that it would help me get ready for the pack in. Nuttin' yet- keep huntin' hard boys.

[Ras]

Tjack;

Is Greg E. part of your group? If so, pass-on some best-of-luck wishes from me, would ya?

Ras