With impending cold weather on the way I decided to hit the trail early.
Started the trail on the west side with an overnight staging in Elk City, ID at Riders Rest (webpage is not current as ownership has changed). Found the motorcycle campground on the iOverlander app. 4 camping spots, but only 3 will work for small to mid sized rigs. Each sight has fire pits, non-potable water, picnic tables, and small shelters. The office has showers and restrooms. The owner is very nice and accommodating.
Elk City is a good place to refuel and buy some things you may have forgotten as there is a well stocked general store, but the traditional firewood you can purchase at the typical gas station and/or grocery store is not available. It is recommended to get your firewood ahead of time.
It is also recommended to stop in at the Elk City Ranger Station for info on the road.
We started off the road on the Idaho side, aired down and got going with my girlfriend and puppy.
Lots of camping spots along the road. Got lucky with finding left behind firewood at many campsites, but with that unfortunately came garbage left behind. We did our part and cleaned each site we stoped at with found leftover firewood.
The trail offers lots of great views at +7000 ft.
There are a few off shoot trails to different look outs and other connecting trails. We did the 1.5 mile 4x4 trail to the top of Burt Knob Lookout. Pretty rocky but well traveled. I did bash and scrape up my new skid on a rock coming back down, skid did the job and my rig wears the battle scars proudly. Ugh, but I did scrape up my wheel along the way that I am not happy about.
Did the approximately 102 miles in 2 days with an overnight stay just west of Horse Haven. There was construction on Elk Mountain Road #285 so we were unable to make it to Green Mountain Lookout (construction is something to keep in mind). During this time of year (early fall) there were quite a few hunter camps with pack animals, so be aware of horses and pack animals on the road and adjoining trails. Also take care during hunting season if you are going to hike the foot trails to be visible with orange and not to scare the game away.
The road gets rocky, washboarded out, and narrow so air down. In the narrow sections be mindful of blind turns, motorcyclists, mountain bikers, pack animals, wild animals, and other rigs. Remember trail etiquette, the vehicle headed in the down hill direction is the vehicle that reverses to find a pullout when another vehicle is encountered going the opposite direction on a narrow trail. Some drivers of this road may not know this so be patient.
When camping consider the threat of wild fires durning summer months, be cautious when parking on tall dead grass areas, and drown your camp fires. There are wolves, bears, and mountain lions in this mountain corridor.
Pack it in, pack it out. Leave no trace. Leave it better than you found it.
