Forum Discussion

terryrey's avatar
terryrey
Explorer
Jun 05, 2013

Magruder Corridor

I have been thinking of driving the Magruder Corridor this summer, most likely from the Grangeville, ID side over to Darby, MT. I have researched the Magruder Road on the internet and it seems doable, but I can't find any information on crossing in a truck camper. So I thought I would ask if any of our Forum Members have ever done this road in a truck camper. If so, I really would appreciate feed back on the level of off-road difficulty for this road and most importantly, since the road has several long one lane stretches, how often were vehicles encountered that required backing up to pass each other and in what direction does most of the traffic travel - ID to MT or MT to ID? Said another way, would a truck camper be able to pass an on coming vehicle, assuming the use of pull outs, if needed? I guess this is my biggest concern - passing oncoming vehicles on narrow, steep mountain sections of this road.

My truck is a 2007 GMC Classic 2500HD, 4X4, CC, D/A that carries an Outfitter Apex 8. My truck and camper are very similar to Whazoo's. We most likely would go the first half of July, since the Forest Service indicates that the road will be closed for part of Aug for culvert and road upgrades. We have some experience with off-road travel, having spent time and miles off-road in the Utah Unita mountains and red rock country, as well as in Wyoming, Idaho, and Nevada. Mostly Forest Service roads, some primitive, some not.

Once again any feedback and particularly first hand experience would be appreciated. We will be off to the Oregon coast this weekend and will be gone for 10 days, so I even if I may not be able to check back onto the site until we get home I still look forward to any feedback.

Thanks again...Terry
Truck Campers
  • _DJ_1's avatar
    _DJ_1
    Explorer II
    Jun 07, 2013
    Camp, Forrest, Camp! wrote:
    DJ, did you ever have any issues with clearance or dragging the overhang? The dragging is my primary concern with the 4' overhang on the back. My 2000 Chevy rides lower than you Ram also.


    You should be fine. I drug in one place but only because I had this on the back.

  • Camp__Forrest__'s avatar
    Camp__Forrest__
    Explorer
    Jun 07, 2013
    DJ, did you ever have any issues with clearance or dragging the overhang? The dragging is my primary concern with the 4' overhang on the back. My 2000 Chevy rides lower than you Ram also.
  • _DJ_1's avatar
    _DJ_1
    Explorer II
    Jun 06, 2013
    That's right. Take your time. I took 3 days/2 nights. Some areas are very rough/rocky. I had a 6 speed manual and idling in granny gear was about right.

    More pics.



    I tried hiking in to this location. The trail that leads there forks off the main trail and has not been maintained for years. It was grown over and I was unable to find it after hiking a few miles. I have since marked it with my GPS but have never been back like I promised myself!!



    Burnt Knob Lookout.







    1000's of square miles of forests!! A little smoky that day.





    The little dot in the middle was a camp spot for the night.

  • terryrey's avatar
    terryrey
    Explorer
    Jun 06, 2013
    Many thanks to all for your feedback and suggestions! I'll incorporate each response into planning this trip. Since it looks like we should be able to travel the Magruder Road with our truck and camper, I'll be planning a trip for July, assuming the road is open (no snow, wash outs, construction, etc).

    Our plan is to drive from Grangville, ID over the Magruder Corridor and down into Darby, MT where we will pick up the highway. We'll go from Darby up over Lost Trail Pass and down through Wisdom, MT, then over to Jackson, MT where we will get back on Forest Service roads to travel up over Lemhi Pass, going back down into Idaho where we will pick up the highway and return to Utah by way of the Sawtooth Recreation Area, Sun Valley, Twin Falls, and home to Springville.

    Thanks again to everyone...Terry
  • btggraphix's avatar
    btggraphix
    Explorer
    Jun 06, 2013
    Never done it, but after DJ's photos, I want to!!!!!! I'll have to look up its location. I am planning on driving over Lemhi Pass in July (for the historical significance, not the 'challenge'.) Camped and rode dirt bikes up there 20 some years ago. Beeeeeeeeeeeutiful area.
  • Owyheedog's avatar
    Owyheedog
    Explorer
    Jun 06, 2013
    I've never done it with the TC but did in my Jeep pulling a small WWII GI trailer. You should have no problem, just take your time. And make sure you check ahead of time as to the condition of the road. There have been years that it didn't open up at all because of slides etc. It is a great trip.
  • MTRhino's avatar
    MTRhino
    Explorer
    Jun 05, 2013
    I did it both ways last August, but it was on a Polaris RZR. It is doable with your set-up but don't expect to be in a hurry. We only met 4 or 5 full size vehicles the entire trip while traveling on the single lane roads. We did however see a large number of ATV's of all shapes and sizes. You should have no trouble getting around them on the single lanes. I would warn you not to go too early in July as you may encounter snow drifts in the road at the upper elevations. We went in early August and did see snow, but none was on the roadways.
  • Tiger4x4RV's avatar
    Tiger4x4RV
    Nomad
    Jun 05, 2013
    I haven't been on that road. However, one general hint on driving one lane forest roads is that there is often less traffic on Tuesdays or Wednesdays unless there is logging in the area and then all bets are off. Have a great and safe trip.
  • _DJ_1's avatar
    _DJ_1
    Explorer II
    Jun 05, 2013
    You will have no problems. I did it in 08 with a CTD dually and 9' S&S with a slideout.







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