My stepdaughter, Megan, just started riding a few months ago. She decided that she wanted to go on a big ride. I plotted out a course for us and we set off on a Monday morning. Our first destination was Lolo, MT and the curvy road of US Hwy 12 that would get us there. Around lunch we arrived and enjoyed some mushroom swiss burgers at the Roper’s Lounge.

With full belly’s, we set out on the next leg of our journey. We headed south on US Hwy 93 and approached Lost Trail Pass on the Montana/Idaho border , hopeful that the elevation would help to keep temperatures down. It was unfortunate that this trip coincided with a heat wave, but our first day was not too bad and the twisty roads proved a great distraction from the temperatures.

The Salmon River became our silent companion a bit south of the pass. As temperatures rose, we stopped at Wagonhammer Spring and refreshed ourselves in the river. The spring flows out of the hillside right beside the road. There is a large parking area as there is a trailhead and a picnic area here. It is great place to stop and chill and just take in the sights and sounds.
We continued on our journey, with food and camping becoming our priority as the temperatures continued to climb. In Challis, ID we acquired the makings of dinner and continued southward. We would have eaten in Challis, but we feared that we would waste a good portion of the pizza available at the Roadhouse Bar and Grill and the Village Inn was too full and required a 30 minute wait. The Real Deal Smokehouse sounded promising, but it is operating on very limited hours and we missed our opportunity to enjoy some bbq by a few days.

Not far south of Challis, we found the Bayhorse Recreation Site. It looked most promising, with few other campers, potable water, and vault toilets. We found ourselves a nice little spot for camp and after a short respite, we sat about getting the tents set up. With camp established, Megan explored the river and I enjoyed a little chat with our neighbor.
After a less than ideal night of sleep due to inconsiderate neighbors, we set out again. We followed the Salmon River southwards and were greeted to the awesome sight that is the Sawtooth Mountains, pictured at the top of this post. Heading westward from Stanley, ID, we set our sights on McCall, ID and the moment where we would have to decide just how long this trip was going to be. Temperatures rose higher as the day progressed. Stopping in McCall for some lunch, we determined that we would take the shorter route home so that we would not have to ride in the heat as long. This meant heading north on US Hwy 95. At New Meadows, ID, with gas tanks full, we set our sights on Riggins and a campsite for the evening. As temperatures climbed to 110, we rested more frequently, drinking water and cooling off in the Little Salmon River. With water and food acquired in Riggins, we headed further north.

At Slate Creek Recreation Site, we set up our camp. With a shaded table and running water, we found what comfort we could while not in the Salmon River itself. Sleep was again hard to come by, but not because of neighbors. The one that we had was a great neighbor. Fortunately, we did not have many miles to put in the following day and so we allowed ourselves to sleep in as long as the heat allowed. We broke camp and rode the last two hours to home, enjoying the coolness of Winchester Pass and rejoicing in the fact that we were able to get out of the Lewiston/Clarkston Valley before it got hot there.

In my mind, this was a great adventure and since we camped and rode motorcycles, the costs for this journey were not that high. Granted, there was a bit more danger due to the heat, but we played things as wisely as we could, staying hydrated and cooled and resting when necessary. The sights and smells, the twisty roads and flowing rivers, the high mountain peaks and valley meadows; all make for memories that will not soon be forgot.

Official links: https://www.blm.gov/visit/bayhorse-recreation-site
https://www.blm.gov/visit/slate-creek-recreation-site

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