Summer 2015 Idaho exploration BS thread

I am interested in this trip. I have run the Magruder 2 times on atv's. From Montana trout creek down by Darby to Elk city Idaho. The first time I believe we took 4 days and the last time I think we took 5 days. One time coming around a corner we came across a motorhome on the road. Shocked the heck out of us. One thing someone will want to carry is a chain saw. I believe it was our last trip that there was a bad wind storm and when we set out in the morning heading west we ran into several down trees across the road. Thats when we came across the motorhome. It is a very beautiful road and easy to drive. My suggestions and please I am no pro and I bet M3bassman has way more experience, but take your time. Check out the fire towers. Explore the area. We got up in the mornings and decided how far we were going to go that day. So we all knew where camp was going to be that evening. We mostly ran together and I have radios mounted in our helmets. But when I seen a spot I wanted to fish I stopped(bought a 10 day Idaho fishing license). My buddy did the same. It really makes it nice because we weren't under a tight time line. I have talked to some people that were doing this trail with some guy that had everyone hauling azz to get to the next spot and then sat for hours instead of exploring. One thing we really liked was Red river hot springs. It is a motel/hotel that is off the grid and has a fantastic hotsprings pool. We spent our 3rd night here as it gave us a place to shower. They people running it were real nice. We floated around in the hot springs on floats drinking beer and watching the northern lights and shooting stars until about 2am. We didn't make a lot of noise but it was cool. Anyhow I think that me my wife and my buddy and his wife are interested in this trip

 

I have a load range e 33" spare

 

WHAT????? you don't need no stinking spare

 

I thought you had the same wheel/tire combo as what you normally run? Those are D's aren't they?

 

My dad keeps talking about it and is really excited to go, thats probably my favorite pic!

 

Can't wait, those pictures are awesome! scenery looks amazing

 

idaho you say?

 

Ben, mike, any part of the idaho portion of the trip start and end in the same spot? (I.e. Realistic for me to ride a the dirtbikes on for a couple of days and be able to get to the truck?

 

Back track the whole way? If I did unfortunately I think it could only happen if the idaho portion was over a weekend

 

How long of a drive is it from the Magruder to the Lolo motorway? That is practically a loop correct?

 

Montana. Im thinking run from Idaho to Montana, then if time allows do the Lolo motorway back to Idaho, if not then get on I90.

 

Its about 100 miles from Darby Montana, where the Magruder road comes out on highway 93 to the main, eastern entrance to the Lolo Motorway at Powell Junction on Highway 12.

edit: Without any stops, its about 2 hrs driving time.

 

Oh okay that isn't bad then.

 

I recall it took us longer because we stopped for lunch and resupplied in Hamilton.

 

I was wondering if there was a good place to resupply before turning back, good to know

 

Hamilton is a good sized population center. You can find just about anything you might need there, including access to rig repairs if necessary.

 

Very good to know, my old coworker moved there so I can ask her about local welders and what not.

 

Ben an expert....

 

In case something needed to be fabbed up or fixed.

 

Unless you don't do good maintenance on your rig. You will not damage your rig on these trails. Minivans can do it.