North 40 Fly Shop eMagazine APRIL 2017 | Page 28

23. STAIGMILLER - 44 MILES • A semi-open campsite after a river bend • There are some trees for cover but is mostly open grassy tent sites • This campground is also next to the forest which creates a nice atmosphere 24. MERGANSER BEND - 44.5 MILES STAIGMILLER • On the map it says, “This camp is easily missed.” Guess what, I missed it. • Up to this point, I had never actually heard of this campground • If you have any photos or information about this trip send it our way 25. BLACK BUTTE (UPPER & LOWER) - 44.8 MILES • They have a semisteep but short hike up to the campsites • They are on a high bench across from some abrupt cliff faces with pretty cool views • Be a little weary about the landing sites in high water • At 100 cfs. you have all the space you could need • They are close together so privacy may be limited LOWER BLACK BUTTE 28 MIDDLE RIDGETOP 26. RIDGETOP (UPPER, MIDDLE, LOWER) - 45 MILES • The Upper is its own campsite that at the start of a tighter river bend with cliffs on the opposite side of the river • Upper Ridgetop and the Black Butte camps are visible to each other but are on opposite sides and down river from each other • The Middle and Lower are the two closest camps to each other • You also have two of the longest hikes from the water’s edge to the campsites • They have tons of tree cover with a large forest canopy • It offers an elevated scenic view of the river different than any of the other campsites • You may be greeted by wild turkeys across the river 29