North Idaho/Eastern Washington Group Trip planning

[Ebbs]

So going off what we discussed at the Meet @PapaDave hosted 1/8, and trying to organize some monthly trips, I figured I'd start a thread for ideas and discussion. I know right now locations are limited due to weather, but some may know of some areas that are still accessible and might be worth just getting out and seeing. But also thinking about going forward, getting ideas out there so folks can throw out areas they want to see/visit and we can decide on a sort of schedule/plan so folks can arrange time if need be. I have a thousand places I want to visit that I know of, and probably a million more I don't know of.


I know we discussed the Snake River/Lewiston area might be good for March...Thoughts? Any other ideas?

Any ideas for the rest of the year? areas you want to go explore? I'll start (most of mine are just areas I want to go explore rather than specific spots)
Salmo Mountain Lookout
Shorty Peak
Burton Peak
Sherman Pass
Hungry Horse Dam
Snyder Guard Station Historical District
Breeden Falls
Juniper Dunes Wilderness
Sugar Loaf Lookout (been there but LOVED it and would go back in a heartbeat)
Wallowa Lake area
Steen's Mountains/Alvord Desert (been there many times... never out on the flats though)

Tagging those that were at the meeting but EVERYONE please feel free to chime in!
@Mountaintrails71
@brewerrob
@Mitch&TigaB
@Sandpoint Steve
@Big Red Burb
@Señor Steve
@G.Goodwin

 

[PapaDave]

So going off what we discussed at the Meet @PapaDave hosted 1/8, and trying to organize some monthly trips, I figured I'd start a thread for ideas and discussion. I know right now locations are limited due to weather, but some may know of some areas that are still accessible and might be worth just getting out and seeing. But also thinking about going forward, getting ideas out there so folks can throw out areas they want to see/visit and we can decide on a sort of schedule/plan so folks can arrange time if need be. I have a thousand places I want to visit that I know of, and probably a million more I don't know of.


I know we discussed the Snake River/Lewiston area might be good for March...Thoughts? Any other ideas?

Any ideas for the rest of the year? areas you want to go explore? I'll start (most of mine are just areas I want to go explore rather than specific spots)
Salmo Mountain Lookout
Shorty Peak
Burton Peak
Sherman Pass
Hungry Horse Dam
Snyder Guard Station Historical District
Breeden Falls
Juniper Dunes Wilderness
Sugar Loaf Lookout (been there but LOVED it and would go back in a heartbeat)
Wallowa Lake area
Steen's Mountains/Alvord Desert (been there many times... never out on the flats though)

Tagging those that were at the meeting but EVERYONE please feel free to chime in!
@Mountaintrails71
@brewerrob
@Mitch&TigaB
@Sandpoint Steve
@Big Red Burb
@Señor Steve
@G.Goodwin

Being the new one here I’m down for all of those. I did see some sort of video about Gulch Road or something that had these towering cliffs on either side??

Late February early March what would a good trip destination be to avoid snow? (I know there’s no guarantee)

Thanks @Ebbs for starting this discussion!

 

[Ebbs]

Being the new one here I’m down for all of those. I did see some sort of video about Gulch Road or something that had these towering cliffs on either side??

Late February early March what would a good trip destination be to avoid snow? (I know there’s no guarantee)

Thanks @Ebbs for starting this discussion!

Yes I believe that Leslie Gulch Road




I am definitely interested... however that is a drive from CDA... and one we'd want to do as an over night trip if not a two night trip to explore the rest of the area... (note all the "want to go" flags LOL)

 

[PapaDave]

Yes I believe that Leslie Gulch Road


View attachment 248120

I am definitely interested... however that is a drive from CDA... and one we'd want to do as an over night trip if not a two night trip to explore the rest of the area... (note all the "want to go" flags LOL)
View attachment 248121

Me: looks at flags
oh is that all

Agreed somewhere closer than Leslie Gulch is better

 

[shortbus4x4]

Leslie Gulch is awesome, did a trip that SW Idaho Overlanding set up about a year ago. It is a bit of a drive from here for a 2 day weekend trip though.

 

[shortbus4x4]

George just posted up his trip schedule for the year if anyone from up here is interested in doing some good trips in S ID. I will be going down there for a couple of them.

SW Idaho Overlanding

Didn't think it went too bad last year. Tell that to the Tahoe that snapped a tie rod, and had to come back the next day and fix it. At least all my lights are working now.

www.overlandbound.com

 

[Ebbs]

George just posted up his trip schedule for the year if anyone from up here is interested in doing some good trips in S ID. I will be going down there for a couple of them.

SW Idaho Overlanding

Didn't think it went too bad last year. Tell that to the Tahoe that snapped a tie rod, and had to come back the next day and fix it. At least all my lights are working now.

www.overlandbound.com

Looks very interesting, unfortunately, most of the dates conflict with something else I have, but the September run from Oregon to Bliss may work!

We may have to start figuring out our own routes up north.

 

[shortbus4x4]

We may have to start figuring out our own routes up north.

I have some but this time of year they are all snowed in. Eastern WA has some good ones that are usually open this time of year if you're into geology.

 

[Ebbs]

We may have to start figuring out our own routes up north.

I have some but this time of year they are all snowed in. Eastern WA has some good ones that are usually open this time of year if you're into geology.

Honestly I'm interested in everything outdoors and especially if someone is willing to teach and point things out.

 

[Mountaintrails71]

I have a lot planned for this year. Mostly weekend worrier stuff that I can get to the first night within daylight after work. I like lakes, mountain tops, mining stuff, ghost towns and short hikes. But these won’t get started till April. I have a 3 week Wyoming and Utah trip planned in late May. And I am thinking about Idaho BDR (maybe just the upper part) in September/Oct. I will start a lot of day trip soon on Saturday’s to find local snow levels and I usually take firewood with me and have lunch in the mountains if that interests anyone.

 

[Ebbs]

I have a lot planned for this year. Mostly weekend worrier stuff that I can get to the first night within daylight after work. I like lakes, mountain tops, mining stuff, ghost towns and short hikes. But these won’t get started till April. I have a 3 week Wyoming and Utah trip planned in late May. And I am thinking about Idaho BDR (maybe just the upper part) in September/Oct. I will start a lot of day trip soon on Saturday’s to find local snow levels and I usually take firewood with me and have lunch in the mountains if that interests anyone.

Definitely interested! Through the summer I may be only able to swing a weekend, but my goal is to get out and camp at least 1 weekend a month, goal of two.

I'd be interested in September for a Idaho BDR if my WABDR trip falls through (more likely by the day)
Definitely interested in going slower seeing more, than rushing just to get it all done. So would be interested even if it's just so the upper part.

 

[Mountaintrails71]

For March trip.. Not sure what has been planned yet. This time of year the expectations for a dirt road overlanding trip should be low. With NW weather it’s likely you will need to stick to paved roads. That being said. Do you stick to 70mph highways and just get to destination points or stick to 50 mph roads and see some country with destination points. I have a few ideas. Such as Palouse Falls. Lower Granite or Little Goose Dam. The Lewiston area has some good food And there are places to camp down there. Up towards Orofino or even up highway 12 towards Montana there are hot springs.

 

[shortbus4x4]

For March trip.. Not sure what has been planned yet. This time of year the expectations for a dirt road overlanding trip should be low. With NW weather it’s likely you will need to stick to paved roads. That being said. Do you stick to 70mph highways and just get to destination points or stick to 50 mph roads and see some country with destination points. I have a few ideas. Such as Palouse Falls. Lower Granite or Little Goose Dam. The Lewiston area has some good food And there are places to camp down there. Up towards Orofino or even up highway 12 towards Montana there are hot springs.

Ritzville to Lyons Ferry on 261 is one of my favorite stretches of highway in WA.

 

[Mountaintrails71]

Yep that’s a good route

 

[shortbus4x4]

I do a lot of two lane highways in eastern WA for work, 4-5k miles a month. Lots of good scenery and a few good restaurants. Palouse Falls during the spring run off is amazing, you can hear big rocks going over it. Steptoe Butte is another good spot to drive to the top of. You do need a WA Discover Pass for them though and lots of other WA places, there are a few free days though.

 

[shortbus4x4]

Also just because it's winter and snow doesn't mean you can't get out. These are from a day trip to Priest Lake in February 2018.

 

[awesomezebra]

I live in Western Washington but would be interested in doing any/all of these

 

[Mountaintrails71]

Just a reminder. In central Wash desert areas. The wind in the spring can be brutal.

 

[PapaDave]

Also just because it's winter and snow doesn't mean you can't get out. These are from a day trip to Priest Lake in February 2018.View attachment 248952View attachment 248953View attachment 248954View attachment 248955

These are the trips we gotta do! Any ideas for April and May?

 

[shortbus4x4]

If we head towards Lyons Ferry they have a fish hatchery there that I think does tours with advance warning. Here's some pictures of when I was down there for work.