Exploring Idaho

RCMAN46: I could not agree more, although I would add a good 4-5 day backpack trip to that list. I've walked into some areas where not even a horse would've been able to trek. I look forward to the day when I'm retired and am able to hike the ENTIRE Idaho Centennial Trail in one shot. Some 600-700 miles, will take me 3-4 months. Hopefully my knees are still in good working condition at that time!

ejfranz: How old is your daughter?

A few more locations came to mind this afternoon...

Lots of places to pull off US12 and watch the river and just generally take it all in. Don't be in too much of a rush to drive thru this 50mph corridor. Maybe consider a drive up the Selway Road.

Yankee Fork, only about 20 miles from Stanley: a very cool area, and touring the old dredge is a must if you make it. It is humbling, even depressing to see how that single machine literally turned the valley upside down in its search for gold. And while you're in the area, a walk thru the old ghost town of Custer is pretty neat.

EBR nuclear reactor, about 20 miles from Arco: the world's first nuclear reactor that generated electricity.

In addition to Redfish Lake, there are a few more lakes on the west side of the Stanley basin worth checking out if you have time: Alturas, Pettit, Yellow Belly.

Hell's Canyon, if you can swing it. I normally drive into the canyon from Cambridge and drive the road all the way down to Hell's Canyon Dam where it dead-end's. But I've heard that seeing the canyon via jet boat traveling upstream from Lewiston (as was mentioned above) is also very cool.

idaho_camper wrote:
I was born and raised in Idaho, been here my whole life. Grew up in the Idaho Falls area. Went to school up north in Moscow for 5 years. Settled with my family in Boise. I've been ALL over the state. 9 days isn't much time to try to take it all in. But, here's what I would offer for suggestions.

US12 from Lewiston to Lolo is probably my favorite 2-lane road in the state. Around 200 miles of pristine forest running alongside the Clearwater and Lochsa rivers.

From Lolo, turn south and take US93 to Salmon continuing to Challis. Again, beautiful country.

From Challis, continue on US93 to Arco which is not far from Craters of the Moon, which you listed as one of the areas you'd like to see.

From Craters, head west toward Carey, then turn toward Picabo and onto the junction of US75. Head north to Sun Valley, continue up and over Galena Summit and drop down into the Stanley basin. Sawtooths will be on your left, White Clouds on the right. Seriously, this is a stunning view. Stop by Redfish Lake on your way up to Stanley.

From there, head west on US21 to Lowman, and turn in Lowman toward Banks. From Banks, turn north on US55 toward McCall. Spend some time in McCall, maybe drive up Warren Wagon road to Upper Payette Lake (and beyond if you have the time -- Burgdorf Hot Springs is an awesome little rustic establishment). Stop and do some canoeing on the inlet to Payette Lake (already mentioned above). From McCall, drive north up US55 to New Meadows, then US95 that will take you back to Lewiston and you're headed home.

That loop with give you a good taste of Idaho. Feel free to PM me if you'd like some additional details.

I will 3rd the plan from another Idaho Native. But I will add you can not see the real Idaho from an automobile. That requires a horse or a bush back country airplane. The primitive areas of Idaho have no equal.

idaho_camper wrote:
I was born and raised in Idaho, been here my whole life. Grew up in the Idaho Falls area. Went to school up north in Moscow for 5 years. Settled with my family in Boise. I've been ALL over the state. 9 days isn't much time to try to take it all in. But, here's what I would offer for suggestions.

US12 from Lewiston to Lolo is probably my favorite 2-lane road in the state. Around 200 miles of pristine forest running alongside the Clearwater and Lochsa rivers.

From Lolo, turn south and take US93 to Salmon continuing to Challis. Again, beautiful country.

From Challis, continue on US93 to Arco which is not far from Craters of the Moon, which you listed as one of the areas you'd like to see.

From Craters, head west toward Carey, then turn toward Picabo and onto the junction of US75. Head north to Sun Valley, continue up and over Galena Summit and drop down into the Stanley basin. Sawtooths will be on your left, White Clouds on the right. Seriously, this is a stunning view. Stop by Redfish Lake on your way up to Stanley.

From there, head west on US21 to Lowman, and turn in Lowman toward Banks. From Banks, turn north on US55 toward McCall. Spend some time in McCall, maybe drive up Warren Wagon road to Upper Payette Lake (and beyond if you have the time -- Burgdorf Hot Springs is an awesome little rustic establishment). Stop and do some canoeing on the inlet to Payette Lake (already mentioned above). From McCall, drive north up US55 to New Meadows, then US95 that will take you back to Lewiston and you're headed home.

That loop with give you a good taste of Idaho. Feel free to PM me if you'd like some additional details.

From another native I 2ND this plan!!!!

I was born and raised in Idaho, been here my whole life. Grew up in the Idaho Falls area. Went to school up north in Moscow for 5 years. Settled with my family in Boise. I've been ALL over the state. 9 days isn't much time to try to take it all in. But, here's what I would offer for suggestions.

US12 from Lewiston to Lolo is probably my favorite 2-lane road in the state. Around 200 miles of pristine forest running alongside the Clearwater and Lochsa rivers.

From Lolo, turn south and take US93 to Salmon continuing to Challis. Again, beautiful country.

From Challis, continue on US93 to Arco which is not far from Craters of the Moon, which you listed as one of the areas you'd like to see.

From Craters, head west toward Carey, then turn toward Picabo and onto the junction of US75. Head north to Sun Valley, continue up and over Galena Summit and drop down into the Stanley basin. Sawtooths will be on your left, White Clouds on the right. Seriously, this is a stunning view. Stop by Redfish Lake on your way up to Stanley.

From there, head west on US21 to Lowman, and turn in Lowman toward Banks. From Banks, turn north on US55 toward McCall. Spend some time in McCall, maybe drive up Warren Wagon road to Upper Payette Lake (and beyond if you have the time -- Burgdorf Hot Springs is an awesome little rustic establishment). Stop and do some canoeing on the inlet to Payette Lake (already mentioned above). From McCall, drive north up US55 to New Meadows, then US95 that will take you back to Lewiston and you're headed home.

That loop with give you a good taste of Idaho. Feel free to PM me if you'd like some additional details.

Come here to McCall and go canoeing out of North Beach on Payette Lake. A trip up the North Fork of the Payette River will be leisurely and full of beautiful sights. An easy paddle:) Then dinner at the McCall Brewery will top off the day. Stay at any of the State park campgrounds on Cascade Lake....well kept, right on the lake.....Pm me for more info if you like.

ejfranz wrote:

the tc life wrote:

you said hwy 20...are you talking about hwy 20 through Oregon into boise Idaho? still... if you make a trip up to northern Idaho those are some of my suggestions for you.

Thanks for the suggestions.
The Hwy 20 I am talking about is a smaller road in Northern Washington that meets up with Hwy 2 at Newport (Washington / Idaho border)

oh shoot, I forgot that there is a hwy 20 there.

then ill add in...riley creek campground east of priest river a few miles, off of hwy 2 towards sandpoint Idaho. it is a great campground. very busy on the weekends too though. there are a few first come first served sites but mid week would be better.

When you get to Lewiston stay at Hellsgate State Park and take a jet boat ride up the Snake. Beamers will give you your money's worth!!!

I would plan on seeing Sun Valley, Redfish Lake (south of Stanley) Stanley, Sunbeam area, (Old gold dredging area north of Stanley), Challis and Salmon. You should find plenty of Forest Service campgrounds along the Salmon river corridor.

the tc life wrote:

you said hwy 20...are you talking about hwy 20 through Oregon into boise Idaho? still... if you make a trip up to northern Idaho those are some of my suggestions for you.

Thanks for the suggestions.
The Hwy 20 I am talking about is a smaller road in Northern Washington that meets up with Hwy 2 at Newport (Washington / Idaho border)

in the panhandle here are a couple suggestions...

sam owen and Farragut parks on pend orielle lake

dwarshak reservoir - dent acres campground.

mccroskey state park - dispersed camping.

Wallace Idaho.

priest lake. I would go there on weekdays as it gets very busy on weekends.

lots of smaller campgrounds going up highway 12 from Orofino to lolo pass.

hells gate state park just outside Lewiston - nice starting point for the snake river gorge.

that is some of my suggestions for the panhandle section.

you said hwy 20...are you talking about hwy 20 through Oregon into boise Idaho? still... if you make a trip up to northern Idaho those are some of my suggestions for you.