Unit 20AL

Key terrain features include Papoose Peak and Farrow Mountain, visible anchors for navigation and glassing across the high country. Twin Peak offers another prominent ridgeline reference point. Several named lakes sit at elevation—Stoddard Lake, Swamp Angel Lake, and Twin Lakes serve as water sources and navigation markers.

Stoddard Creek Point and Butts Creek Point provide additional topographic reference. Major drainages like Wall Creek, West Fork Butts Creek, and Trapper Creek create natural travel corridors through otherwise complex terrain. These features become critical for route-finding and locating sheep in steep country.

The unit spans dramatic vertical relief—from low river valleys at 2,800 feet to alpine peaks above 9,300 feet. Moderate forest coverage mixes with open alpine meadows and exposed ridgetops at higher elevations. Lower drainages support riparian vegetation along creeks feeding the Salmon River, transitioning to conifer forests on middle slopes.

Upper elevations break into rocky alpine terrain, sparse vegetation, and talus fields where mountain sheep find habitat. This extreme relief creates distinct thermal zones—hunters will encounter everything from brushy creek bottoms to windswept ridges in a single day.

Roughly 107 miles of roads provide fair but fragmented access. The road network doesn't follow main ridgetops—you'll find access points scattered along drainages and lower country. This means significant foot travel is required to reach prime alpine habitat.

Cunningham Bar marks one access point to river-level country. The combination of limited roads, steep terrain, and rugged topography keeps overall pressure moderate, but hunters willing to invest serious effort can find less-traveled ridges. Early season access may be limited by snow at elevation; late-season window offers better foot access but shorter daylight.

This unit encompasses portions of Idaho and Valley Counties within the south-side drainage of the Salmon River. The unit sits in the central Idaho backcountry, a region defined by deep river valleys and high mountain ridges. At roughly 6,500 feet median elevation spanning from under 3,000 to over 9,300 feet, the unit transitions from river-bottom country to true alpine terrain.

The Salmon River forms the northern boundary, anchoring this landscape in one of Idaho's premier mountain ranges. Access points are scattered, requiring significant planning and self-sufficiency for successful hunting.

Water is limited and scattered, a critical constraint for hunting strategy. Higher lakes like Stoddard, Swamp Angel, and Twin Lakes hold alpine water seasonally, though reliability varies with snowpack and timing. Lower drainages—Wall Creek, West Fork Butts Creek, Reese Creek, and others—provide more consistent flow but require significant elevation loss.

Gunbarrel, Porcupine, Redside, and Hancock Rapids mark the Salmon River itself, impassable barriers. Placer Creek and Proctor Creek offer additional drainage systems. Water scarcity means sheep concentrate near reliable sources; locating available water becomes paramount for planning daily movements.

This is mountain sheep terrain, pure and simple. The unit's steep topography and high-elevation ridges provide ideal habitat—rocky slopes, sparse vegetation, and escape routes define bighorn country. Successful hunting requires glassing from distance to locate sheep on distant ridgetops before attempting approach.

Water sources, particularly the high lakes, become focal points mid-to-late season. The complexity of the terrain means route-finding, map work, and off-trail navigation are essential skills. Expect a physically demanding hunt with significant vertical gain.

Early season (July-August) may see sheep higher on windswept ridges; later season often pushes them lower toward limited water sources. This unit rewards hunters willing to put in hard miles and navigate complex country.