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Inspired by Rotnguns various wanderings (but not wanting too get to worn out), I fired up the ATV and took another ride in the forest.
I was initially hesitant, because I figured the campgrounds and back roads would be swarming with campers, dirt bikes, etc., but I could not have been more wrong. Once past the roadside spots, I came across whole valleys that had 1 or no full campsites. I thought that interesting, because when I lived in CA I NEVER went out of town on a holiday weekend as the traffic and crush of humanity in the places I liked to frequent.
Anyway - we unloaded the machines up Highway 21, about 30 minutes past Idaho City. (As an aside - The Seasons Cafe in Idaho City makes a killer huckleberry milkshake). Our goal was to ride out to the town site of Graham, go up to the Graham lookout, retrace our steps and go up to the Jackson Peak lookout, and then return to the trucks.
It did not go as planned. The pass going up and over the saddle towards Graham was totally blocked by the very impressive remnants of an avalanche. A drone reconnaissance confirmed that the road was completely choked with old snow for quite a distance (my bet is that it won't be passable till August). Sadly we had to turn around and head back down. We did find a beautiful spot to have lunch, went up to see the Jackson lookout, and came back out. All told about 50 miles, spectacular views, and great company. My only regret is that I forgot to bring the fishing gear.
All in all, a terrific day to be out and about and about, and it was much cooler up at elevation. Now, for some pics:
The machine:
The group:
The avalanche site:
Lunch on the side of Jackson Peak:
Scenery:
The Sawtooths:
Jackson Peak Lookout:
I was initially hesitant, because I figured the campgrounds and back roads would be swarming with campers, dirt bikes, etc., but I could not have been more wrong. Once past the roadside spots, I came across whole valleys that had 1 or no full campsites. I thought that interesting, because when I lived in CA I NEVER went out of town on a holiday weekend as the traffic and crush of humanity in the places I liked to frequent.
Anyway - we unloaded the machines up Highway 21, about 30 minutes past Idaho City. (As an aside - The Seasons Cafe in Idaho City makes a killer huckleberry milkshake). Our goal was to ride out to the town site of Graham, go up to the Graham lookout, retrace our steps and go up to the Jackson Peak lookout, and then return to the trucks.
It did not go as planned. The pass going up and over the saddle towards Graham was totally blocked by the very impressive remnants of an avalanche. A drone reconnaissance confirmed that the road was completely choked with old snow for quite a distance (my bet is that it won't be passable till August). Sadly we had to turn around and head back down. We did find a beautiful spot to have lunch, went up to see the Jackson lookout, and came back out. All told about 50 miles, spectacular views, and great company. My only regret is that I forgot to bring the fishing gear.
All in all, a terrific day to be out and about and about, and it was much cooler up at elevation. Now, for some pics:
The machine:
The group:
The avalanche site:
Lunch on the side of Jackson Peak:
Scenery:
The Sawtooths:
Jackson Peak Lookout:
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