Upcoming Trip To Idaho-Advice Needed

[sbbillder]

I have a couple of friends with family's that spend each summer's up in Idaho, spending time between eastern Washington State, Coeur D'Alene & McCall.

So after listening to my friends for the last few years rave about the area (particularly McCall, Coeur D'Alene, etc.), my wife & I thought we would take a road trip up this fall to check out the area. We have a small window of time due to our schedule.

My only experience with Idaho is flying in to ski @ Sun Vally a couple of times, so I really haven't seen much other than the ski area, Hailey & Ketchum.

My Plan (& not much of one yet):
Drive (not ride) from Santa Barbara to McCall area. Once we are up in the McCall area we will cruise around. Either vehicle we take is 4WD so I'm not concerned about weather, bad roads, etc.

At this point I'm not sure how many days we will have available (thinking maybe 6 days?). I do know I have a 1 1/2 day's drive up & back each way & I'd like to spend a few days in Idaho. It's only my wife & I so we can make good time on the road getting from place to place.

Lodging:
We have a town home to use (I think?) in McCall. I was considering bringing the camping gear to use a couple of the nights to give my wife the full effect (maybe too cold?). I don't mind lodging, my wife would likely prefer it over camping.

So you can see, I have no real plan at this point (except how to get there). So I'm putting my feelers out looking for advice on places/area's we should plan to visit with our limited time. I know we will be just scratching the surface to see what that area has to offer.....so as the saying goes, "I wanna get the most bang for my buck"!
I would prefer to spend a couple of weeks sporting around up there but we just don't have the time.

I am using this as a bit of a scouting trip as I will be taking the bikes up there next spring/summer.

I continue to read & am finding great info on these area's in the Northwet Regional Forum, which is helping pencil out possible route's.

Any advice from those familiar is greatly appreciated.


Thanks in advance,

Bill

[Timmer]

I just returned from riding extensively in that area including some adventure riding on my Wing. Go to http://tbcafe2cafe.blogspot.com for my ride report and focus on Legs 4 & 5 for some ideas for the ride. PM if you have more specific questions. McCall and the surrounding area is absolutely gorgeous and with the fall colors out (they are starting to change) it will be beautiful.

Timmer

[sbbillder]

Originally Posted by TimF650GS

I just returned from riding extensively in that area including some adventure riding on my Wing. Go to http://tbcafe2cafe.blogspot.com for my ride report and focus on Legs 4 & 5 for some ideas for the ride. PM if you have more specific questions. McCall and the surrounding area is absolutely gorgeous and with the fall colors out (they are starting to change) it will be beautiful.

Timmer

Thanks for the link, I will read through it.

[Kodanja]

Go up Warren Wagon Road and spend an hour at Burgdorf Hot Springs, then continue northward to French Creek and into Riggins for lunch, then asphalt back to McCall. Check out my ride report below..here's the link

www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=376296

[crash50]

What dates will you be in the area?
I live in McCall, and can point out distances, time frames,road conditions,and where to go and what to see.
Just let me know what you want to do and I'll try and round up the info, if I don't already have it.

The temps in the high country are already starting to drop. I was up at 7600 feet this morning at daylight and there was a slight touch of ice along the creek edges.
27 degrees.

[thetourist]

You didn't say how far you can go in a day.

I would reccomend doing the Grand Loop of Idaho. McCall south to Burns, east to Stanley to Salmon, north to Lolo, west on 12 to Kooskia, south to Grangeville to hwy 95 south to McCall. 8-900 mi. but will give a good overview of Cental Idaho.

There is a huge canyon land area near Riggins. Everybody knows Hells Canyon is the deepest canyon, but knowone says which is #2-3-4 etc. They are all right there together. Snake, Salmon, Grande Ronde, etc. Several river canyons a mile deep or so.

Great paved canyon road from Grangeville to Elk City or Dixie ID (a short 100 mi.) Food lodging and gas in Elk City.

Good gravel (30mi) from Whitebird to Pittsburg Landing in north end of Hells Canyon


Use your in and out of Idaho miles. Go different routes. I would head east on hwy 50 in NV the north on 95 (Winnemucca) or my fav 226 at Elko (high desert ranch lands).

You could exit Idaho thru Hells Canyon. North out of McCall then south on hwy95 to Council, then west to Oxbow over Kleinschmidt Grade. This is a dry weather road, 30-40 mi of Dirt...Not Gravel. I went over it this spring and it was in good shape. Fantastic views and good roads out of Oxbow to the freeway.

If you do the Grand Loop, you could run pavement from Lewiston/Clarkston to Enterprise OR. Then south to the freeway and back to Boise or CA.
Maybe do the day trips from McCall and the Grand Loop then to Enterprise on you way home.

First skiff of snow, in Moscow, is Holloween and big storms on Thanksgiving. Skiffs sooner in McCall.

[benchracer]

Can anyone help with tips on lodging between Winnemucca and Nampa??

[trailrider383]

There is at least one motel each in McDermitt, NV and Jordan Valley, OR. As for any tips, that is all I know.

[Handy]

My tip is not to stay in a motel between Winnemucca and Nampa. Are you planning to do something in particular in between the two places?
Nice work posting in a 4 year old thread by the way.