Turning North onto Rd 563 starts by quickly passing through a thick sweeping corridor of trees before opening up for a spirited run to the Landmark/Stanley Rd. You need to keep on your toes as the line of sight through this section is obscured to any oncoming traffic. 563 is typically in good condition other than the typical Summer dust.
The 579 Landmark/Stanley Rd is a fast dirt freeway that runs East/West spanning Hwy 21 to just north of Deadwood Reservoir. From there the road veers north passing by the old Deadwood City Mine and eventually over 6800′ Deadwood Summit.
Cresting Deadwood Summit the road will finally deliver you into Landmark, consisting of not much more than an air strip and USFS work station. The IBDR will continue north along Johnson Creek into Yellow Pine, but for this unsavory bunch we will head west past Warm Lake and into Cascade.
However, what is a trip without a little drama. Stopping at the pass this side of Warm Lake we discover that John E has graciously picked up a construction screw in the 690. Luckily between the three of us we had all of the required implements to make speedy work of changing his tube. In these situations this is where I do prefer a tubeless system as we would have been on our way in a fraction of the time by using a plug. but today tubes ruled the day and we prevailed.
Once over the pass the road starts to wind it’s way down into Warm Lake. With the day running long we speed past with Cascade in our sights some 26 miles further down the road. Fuel and snacks will greet us before we start our final run home south down Hwy 55 back into Boise.
Today was a fitting send off to the DRZ. After 13 trouble free years of ownership it’s hard to let her go, but sticking with the mantra of always wanting to see whats around the next corner our adventures will continue on the new 1090. Farewell trusty DRZ …
-Pre-flight, Prior trip over Elk Summit
For more info on the luggage I use visit www.obradvgear.com
After the acquisition of the new 1090 I felt it was due to get the DRZ out for one final ride before sending off to a fresh new owner …. and timing would have it that an email was received from John E and his might 690 putting together a loop also with Mike S on his 500.
A meet up time was decided for us to connect on the east side of Boise for a run up Hwy 21, along the Ponderosa Scenic Byway through the historic Idaho city to Lowman.
Hwy 21 runs North East out of Boise following the Moores Creek drainage, over Moores Summit, and Beaver Summit before dropping into Lowman. This particular stretch rates high in my book due to the “high curve count” per mile. Super fun and rated a G2 and G3 on the Butler Motorcycle Map.
A twisty two lane path of pavement wraps around the geographic curves of the Boise Mountains and in some sections through the impact of the 2016 Pioneer Fire. The Pioneer Fire today still resides under speculation of arm chair criticism that early decisions allowing the fire to burn as being beneficial to the landscape until it ultimately burned out of control and over 200,000 acres. Still scenic non the less.
Cresting Beaver Creek Summit we then drop into Lowman. Out of Lowman we follow Bear Valley Road (582) north over Clear Creek Summit. This section being part of the IBDR. We will follow the IBDR to Landmark where we will peel off and head into Cascade Idaho for fuel.
Bear Valley Road is well maintained with a semi loose gravel surface. The road flows nicely along Clear Creek before veering off and climbing over Clear Creek Summit. Once dropping into Bear Valley the views open up with the road now skirting along the meadows edge. We only pass through the first portion of the meadow before we turn off and head north on 563 towards the Landmark/Stanley Rd and ultimately Warm Lake and Cascade.
“Plunge boldly into the thick of life, and seize it where you will, it is always interesting.”
– Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe
My Suzuki DRZ 400E, purchased new in 2006, has by far been the best bike I’ve ever owned. It has taken me far and wide, always getting me home. In 13 yrs I have not had a single mechanical breakdown. The motor runs just as strong today as they day it was purchased with the motor only opened up for routine valve checks, which again have remained consistent.
Some will criticize the spec of the DRZ stating lack of power or excessive weight, but I’ll counter that criticism by stating that the DRZ “E” is a trail bike pushing out HP in the high 40’s and dry weight within the range of most bikes in it’s class (I will admit it carries the weight a bit high).
The DRZ suspension in stock trim is valved a bit soft, but nothing that can’t be tailored to your needs. I’ve ridden the DRZ in the desert, in the woods, on tight single track, on forest roads, and highways. The only area I would say the DRZ struggled was in the desert sand whoops. However, the weight balance of the DRZ always inspired confidence in the sense of stability. The DRZ is a very predictable bike in its straight line tracking making it a very easy bike to ride.
At the end of the day I would agree that the DRZ is not a master in any one specific area, but a jack of all trades. Either way the DRZ has proven to be a staple of reliability, which always rings high in my order of importance.
Even with all the prior praises the day has finally come that I start to consider a replacement for the trusted DRZ. Two years ago I sold a Yamaha Super Tenere’. My relationship with the Yamaha was five years long and the S10 always scratched my ADV itch when extended road mileage was in the plan. Selling the S10 created a void … I was again getting the urge for a bike that would still carve up the forest roads, but would also be well suited for extended mileage riding two up with luggage. My mind started to wander considering the available mid -point platforms spec’d with a 21/18 wheel set up. Three bikes populated my list as the Honda AT, BMW 850, and KTM’s 1090.
At the end of some long deliberation I decided to replace the Z with a KTM 1090. Best choice … IDK? … time will tell. Off the show room floor I was impressed with the fit and finish of the mid sized KTM. On the road the “Katoom” screams. Handling is a bit dirt bike’ish with the 21/18, however it handles well off the pavement, and equally as well when two up and/or with luggage. So far it checks the boxes. If it proves to be reliable we’ll have a long and wondrous relationship.
Now that we are back on the Bear Valley/Landmark-Stanley Rd … we will backtrack a bit back through the expansive Bruce Meadows and then along the north side paralleling Elk Creek.
Stopping at the airstrip ….
We cross over the Bear Valley bridge and continue on to the Elk Creek Work Center. The dust is wanting to linger, so we spread out enough to allow the air to clear.
WE kick it up along Rd 579 turning south on Rd 571 over Deer Creek Pass …. This particular section of Rd 571 was one of my favorites … it had great flow, little dust, and spectacular views over Deadwood Reservoir.
Rd 571 eventually connects with the shore of Deadwood Reservoir … and then the dam itself. Built back in 1929, the concrete arched dam holds back approx. 3200 acres of irrigation water.
The Deadwood river flows south for approx. 20 miles before its confluence with the South Fork of the Payette near Lowman ID.
Right below the spill way there is a nice singletrack that also runs back to the South Fork of the Payette via Deadwood Ridge … the last time I rode this section of trail was with my friend Jason on an out and back day loop from Boise.
We stop at the dam for a quick break… we all comment to the fact that it is starting to get warm. 20 miles to the pavement.
Quick stop along the top of Scott Mountain … notice fuel is getting low!
Dropping into the furnace- Could be worse … it could be August! Banks/Lowman Road is below.
We make our way into Garden Valley … on fumes. Total mileage from Stanley/Loon Creek/Garden Valley was 165 miles … I should have 10 miles to spare … maybe? This is the first time I’ve rolled into a gas stop with literally a splash of gas left in the tank.
We fuel up and then head up over Alder Creek Summit where John E is waiting for us.
We continue through Placerville and then over to the Boise Ridge Road.
We make our final stop at the Bogus Basin Ski area …. the day is long, so from hear we will split up and make our individual runs for home.
This trip was a bit shorter then expected, but none the less just as fun. Adventure is what you make of it regardless if it is a weekend, a week, or a month. Being out in the wide open with friends recharges the spirit and creates stories that will last a lifetime… go find your adventure!
At the point where the Pinyon Peak Loop Road starts its drop down into the Beaver Creek drainage … there is one more site of interest… that of the old Feltham Peak Lookout. A side track climbs for approx. a 1/4 of a mile to the old lookout site.
The lookout is since long gone, but the piling blocks still remain confirming the site location. Removed back in the 1960’s, presumably replaced by the current and higher Pinyon Peak Lookout. I have this adversion to lookout attendants. So many these days are grumpy and seem to not want to be bothered, understandable … I guess, so I prefer to visit the sites before and after the season so that I can mill around and enjoy the view on my terms … with no remaining structure Feltham qualifies as a mid season exception.
This last photo is of the Beaver Creek drainage that we are now headed down ….
The area is heavily burned from the Halstead Fire, but still pleasant to ride through …. the Lodge Pole Pine is pretty small in diameter, easy enough to hop with a bike, but if in a truck… I would carry a saw.
The Beaver Creek/Pinyon Peak Loop Road (172) eventually connects to the Seafoam/Vanity Summit Road (008)…
5th gear-
We’re making good time when we roll up on a logging operation that was just finishing up loading a truck …. only delayed a few minutes.
Hwy 21-
A quick blast down Hwy 21 puts us back onto the Bear Valley – Landmark/Stanley Rd (198)
Our next destination is Deadwood Reservoir. We will pass along the North side of Bear Valley following Elk Creek.
The road continues with a final few gradual switchbacks before cresting the ridge ….. The ridgeline is right above the tree line leaving little protection from the wind. My guess is that the wind blows pretty much non stop as the few trees that are around have that permanent lean.
Final turn-
We stop at the saddle right below the peak and walk out a short distance to a open knoll with full 360 deg views.
View starting south and panning north ….
Pics or it didn’t happen-
We remount and continue up the road to the lookout cutoff…
We contemplate making the run to the top, but with hazy conditions and the lookout still manned, we decide to forego the summit for another trip. I visited this lookout a couple of years back on a crystal clear day and the views are amazing! …. Pinyon is one of those “have to do at least once per year” rides.
We are still about 20 miles out from our reconnection to Hwy 21, so we push on. The Pinyon Peak Loop Road runs along the ridgeline for approx. 7-8 miles before dropping into the Beaver Creek drainage.
As dawn draws near the valley darkness starts to fade with the sun making it’s presence known just beyond the eastern ridge. Rested, we emerge from our tents with breakfast and coffee as our main priority.
Breakdown and packing ensues as we all know that we have a full day of riding ahead of us just to make it back home …
From our camp spot, we will be connecting Rd 172, Pinyon Peak Loop Rd, up out of the Loon Creek drainage.
The road climbs steadily exposing the surrounding topography …. high ridges in front of us and river drainages just off the exposed side …. definitely gods country!
The road climbs up towards a sort of dog leg where it veers south towards the peak. At that point we pass the old Packer John Mine. Curiosity demands that we stop for a quick look.
Buildings of past times ….
Mess Hall-
Rec Hall-
Main Office-
John V enjoying some morning sun-
Relic-
Right about that time two guys emerged from the backside of the claim … they confirmed that they were of the original family that owned the claim …. and that we were indeed trespassing! … “Time to post some new signs, eh”
Friendly enough they chatted briefly about history of the area. Respecting their space we geared back up and proceeded up the road.
Pinyon Peak-
We enter the burn area left behind by the Halstead Fire from a handful of years back. This fire burned fast and hot consuming a large swath of acreage. I feel unfortunate to not have seen this country before the burn.
Never know what one might find alongside the road-
We continue our push towards the ridge and closer to the peak ….
As we point our bikes up Rd 172 the track starts to narrow and the trees begin to close in, indicative of a more primitive road. We approach the first minor switchback where the road begins to start it’s climb up towards Loon Creek Summit, we take notice of a fairly large primitive camp spot down off the road. This is the first “Non-Campground” spot we have determined worthy of inspection. The spot is spacious and otherwise not too bad, but a fair hike from water … we ride on.
The road begins to climb and wind around switchbacks making it obvious that we are gaining elevation quickly. Right before the final turn at the top we stop and take notice of the drainage we just road up as with the now quiet Sunbeam Mine.
Final gap before the top …
Loon Creek Summit –
Right as we crest the summit we cross paths with a group of KLR’s working there way out … as we’re chatting one of the riders appears to be in a bit of discomfort. It is then disclosed that he is riding with an injured foot …. no doubt a product of some midnight refreshment induced hooliganism of the previous evening … and with little sympathy from his riding buddies. My guess was that this guys injury was cutting their stay short and they were making a late day run back to Boise to get checked out.
We drop down the back side of the summit where the road runs along Mayfield Creek. The views along the upper stretch are awesome, but regrettably since the day was running long I failed to stop along this stretch for pictures …. next time.
As we work our way down Mayfield Creek and towards Loon Creek we pass a number of camp spots … the first nice one was of course occupied, the next was a nice spot, but with a lot of noticeable dead snags around the camp area waiting to fall on an unsuspecting tent with the first real wind… we’re near the bottom so we continued on.
The Diamond D is one of those off the grid remote ranches that have carved themselves a niche as a vacation destination … a beautiful spot for those looking to get away, but I still default to the adage of … “Your vacation is my weekend”
Our sights at this point are on a little campground a few miles down the road called Tin Cup. Right as we pass the ranch and make the turn towards Tin Cup an opening comes into view on our right, a trailhead actually … I make a hard right turn to inspect … nice open view, Loon Creek in close walking distance, a table, and no people … we have a winner!
Tents are set up, bikes are allowed to rest, dust from the day rinsed off in the creek, water on boil for dinner, and evening libations are pulled from panniers.
We spend the rest of the evening enjoying company, sharing past adventures, and solving most of the worlds problems. Then to turn in in preparation for the next oncoming day ….
Reconnecting to our next section of pavement was a pleasant reprieve to kick up the pace and blow off some dust… Although only for a few short miles since we will be jumping back onto the dirt at the Horn to follow Rd 203 (Cape Horn Rd). Cape Horn Rd parallels the paved Hwy 21 for approx. 7-8 miles before reconnecting.
Rd 203-
The views of the Stanley Valley start to open up, but unfortunately with continued lingering smoke from recent wildfires…. absent smoke … the views are amazing! Rains of weekends past, while extinguished most all of Idaho’s wildfires … Washington and Oregon are still ablaze with jet stream winds directing the smoke into Idaho’s back yard.
My hope is that as we change our direction north we will find the edge of the smoke allowing the views to open up.
We ride the next few paved miles into Stanley where we take advantage of the next fuel stop. From this point I have estimated our loop over Pinyon and into Garden Valley to be somewhere around 130-140 miles. Well within our fuel range, but not with much to spare …. we stuff our tanks.
The days plans are open ended …. I figured we could camp anywhere around Stanley … the afternoon is still young so we opt to grab some lunch and refreshment at the Bridge Street Grill in Lower Stanley to decide our next move.
Bellies full and refreshments consumed … we opt to continue down Hwy 75 towards Sunbeam and our turn off towards the Yankee Fork. We’ll keep our eyes and options open for just the right camp spot.
The paved stretch of Hwy 75 from Stanley to Sunbeam is fantastic fun. The road rides the edge with the beautiful Salmon River on the right and sheer rock walls along the left. There is hardly a straight stretch of road allowing a nice workout of our tires perimeter lugs.
Most all of the camp spots along this stretch are associated with designated camp grounds …. some are pretty nice and mostly vacant, but not what were after this day. So we push on to Sunbeam and the Yankee Fork Rd.
Sunbeam Dam (past)-
Sunbeam Dam (Present)-
Built back in 1909 to supply power to the operating mines and dredge of Yankee Fork …. the price of ore dropped negating the economic feasibility to continue extracting. The dam ceased operating in 1911. A caretaker maintained the structure for a number of years until the fish ladders reached disrepair, which at that time the most feasible option was to breech the dam restoring normal river flow.
We turn off Hwy 75 at the Sunbeam Village and head up the Yankee Fork Rd. The Yankee Fork Rd runs along a North/South valley with mountains of the Salmon/Challis Nation Forest looming in the distance. The soil/rock makeup of these mountains differs from the mountains we have already ridden by and through. As the sun hits the mountains they take on a majestic red hue.
Yankee Fork Rd (First image from a past ride)-
We speed along the Yankee Fork Road still looking for a camp spot …. after about 10-12 miles we pass Bonanza and the they old Yankee Fork Dredge.
Yankee Fork Dredge (Photoseek.com)-
Yankee Fork Gold Dredge operated from 1940-1952 near near Custer Historic Site, in Idaho, USA. This floating gold dredge chewed a wide swath of stream gravel leaving rocky dredge tailings along 5.5 miles of the Yankee Fork, a tributary of the Salmon River, near Stanley, Idaho, USA. It recovered an estimated $1,037,322 in gold and silver at a cost of $1,076,100. Visit Land of the Yankee Fork State Park in Salmon-Challis National Forest near Stanley, Idaho.
In most cases of dredge history the dredges operated at a high level of profit, not such the case for the Yankee Fork Dredge. The dredge now sits as a tourist attraction with guided tours available.
The old Ghost Town of Custer is located about a mile up the Custer Motorway with the Forest Service maintain the history of the site for visitors.
Custer (Images from past ride)-
Today we bypass Custer and turn up Rd 172. Rd 172 turns off directly behind the dredge and takes us up towards Loon Creek Summit. Still on the lookout for just the right camp spot ….
Custer and the dredge are highly recommended for anyone to visit should they have an interest for old mining history. I myself find all mining history, the good and the bad, interesting as it has shaped the country that we live in with roads, infrastructure, towns, etc. It is a nice ride… or drive.
After a fast 10 mile run up Rd 582 the road departs from the creek side and starts to climb up towards Clear Creek Summit. The road bed switches from loose gravel to a more typical dry slick surface with meandering rain ruts and embedded rock. As I near the top I start to feel a loose sensation from the back of my bike ….. a quick glance at my rear tire confirms that it is indeed going flat. I’m nearing the top, so I ride the noodle the last 100 yards or so to the summit.
7050 feet –
Right when I hop off the bike and start breaking out my tools, another rider (not from our group) on a Triumph Tiger rolls up and asks if he can hang while we tackle the flat. Regrettably I can’t remember his name, super nice guy from Canada riding the IDBR. His goal for the day was Burgdorf Hot Springs, so he picked our brains for some local knowledge on the route.
I was thankful that he chose to stop. I discovered during my road side tire service that I had neglected to include a 13mm wrench for my bead lock and neither John V nor John E had one either. Our Canadian friend had a full kit including a 13mm …. and he even broke out his electric air pump! …. I like those Canadians!
We immediately identified the flat tire culprit …. a brand spanking new framing nail! …. of all places to pick up a framing nail?
We pulled the wheel, using my trail stand for the first time (worked great suspending the rear of the bike while the rear wheel was removed) and made short work of swapping out a new tube. I will make sure to add in a 13mm to my OBR ADV Gear Tool Roll!
Tube exchanged and wheel back on … we extended our thanks to our new friend for his assistance and parted ways.
Having an OBR Flat Mat would have been handy, while the Tool Roll also has a removable panel that you can lay flat on the ground to set your wheel or hub onto, the Flat Mat is a full 24″x24″ and has separate slip pockets to stuff your irons, wrenches, valve caps etc into so you can find them when reinstalling your wheel.
Just over the summit the road drops into a high meadow we refer to as Bear Valley. Passing through the meadow in the spring right after the thaw you’ll find yourself amongst vast wild flowers …. this time of year, early Fall, the surroundings are just as impressive, but with just a bit less color.
Bear Valley has quite a history … the area was used extensively for sheep and cattle grazing with buildings still present within some of the large meadows that skirt the valley. The situation at the time required the local Forest Rangers to mediate between competing ranch outfits using the area for summer grazing. Beyond the grazing there was also a large mining presence during the early Cold War. Evidently the area contains a rare radioactive mineral essential to the strategic defense systems of the day. Heavy dredging took place from 1958-1959. In an effort to restore Salmon/Steelhead spawning beds, an extensive rehabilitation project was completed that returned the meadow landscape and the Salmon/Steelhead runs.
We continue along Rd 582 skirting the south edge of Bear Valley Creek passing through Bruce Meadows. Note – For you pilots out there, Bruce Meadows has one of Idaho’s many back country landing strips.
Concluding our “coffee relief” break at the summit, we point the bikes towards the downstream side of Moores Summit and shove off. Headed now towards Lowman, we will be turning off the pavement just a few miles down the road onto Rd 588. This trip is going to be a combination of hardtop and dirt with the bias being more towards the terra, however I do enjoy a balanced combination of both as jumping onto some nice hardtop after a dirt section can be a nice mental change of pace.
RD 588 is a nice 5-6 mile dirt section that skirts the backside of pilot Peak, opening up with pleasant views of both Deadwood Ridge and the Clear Creek drainage, that we will be heading up shortly.
Hwy 21 …. 6 miles –
We’re headed into those hills –
obrianmcc –
John E and the mighty 690 – John is running hard boxes on his 690 and likes to utilize the OBR ADV Gear Extras Pouch on his top lids. The Extras pouch keeps certain items you might need throughout the day within easy access. The pouch has a bottom panel to allow for strap pass through along with molle loops along the top.
On top of the regular Forest Service roads Idaho is also a scattering of State Endowment Lands and Forest Products properties …. all of these areas are packed full of access roads that provide connections that we as Dual Sport Riders utilize extensively to connect the dots on our route maps.
Respect your resources if you wish to keep access! …. Leave no trace, other than maybe a loamy tire track or two!
We reconnect with Hwy 21 and blast down 10 miles of super fun pavement before connecting with our next dirt track, Rd 582 otherwise known as Bear Valley Rd.
‘”For my part, I travel not to go anywhere, but to go. I travel for travel’s sake. The great affair is to move.”
– Robert Louis Stevenson
With a long and hot summer now behind us and recent rains over the past Labor Day weekend extinguishing most all of the seasons wildfires, adventure is back in the air.
I’ve been contemplating for a few weeks now on a route appropriate for a quick end of the season trip. My first choice being over Dollarhide Summit, Ketchum, Mackay, and through the Pahsimeroi’s … but good ole Murphy had to step in and cause a significant washout on RD 227 between Fairfield and Dollarhide leaving the road impassable. So, on to plan B, except I have no plan B? …. after all Idaho is an expanse of open space and it shouldn’t be that hard to find another route. A reach out to my two riding partners for this trip, John V and John E reaffirmed that all participants were still in regardless of destination.
I break out the map book, which naturally points me towards Stanley ID with my eye catching the little squiggly line down Hwy 75 to check out Bayhorse, Challis, the Custer Motorway, through Yankee Fork, and back over Pinyon Peak . The original plan was to depart on a Friday to break up the loop into three days of riding, but work commitments interfered reducing the trip down to two days and shortening the route to just Yankee Fork and Pinyon.
Now, I’m naturally one to stick pretty tight to routes and schedules, but I’m stepping out and breaking my mold on this trip with just a basic destination/direction and we’ll see where we land at days end. Yes, against my nature, but the route is good with some beautiful country to pass through and camping off a motorcycle allows for more camp spot opportunities.
We scheduled our meet up for Saturday AM. We would then rally up Rocky Canyon Road, over Aldalpe Summit, down through Robie Creek connecting Hwy 21 into Idaho City.
Weapons of choice for this trip would by John V and Myself on almost identical 2006 DRZ 400 E’s and John E on a 690 Enduro KTM ….
We connect Hwy 21 and make the run into Idaho City. Traffic is light, which makes for a nice twisty morning run alongside Moores Creek. John E’s 690 has significantly longer legs on the hardtop than our DRZ’s. John V and myself have geared the DRZ’s a little bit low to still be able to ride trails, but regardless of how well they are running, still no match for the 690!
Low water at Robie (Lucky Peak Reservoir)- how much can a DRZ carry? .. however much can you fit into the OBR ADV Gear 38l Saddlebag!
Idaho City, getting gas and checking in –
Idaho City is a remnant of mining’s past. Mostly a tourist attraction with the old boardwalks and shops about. Tragically this summer, a fire broke out within one of the old buildings and burned a few right to the ground.
John V and I top off our tanks. The DRZ’s are running aftermarket tanks with an extended range to approx. 175 miles. John V has also chosen to bring along his 1 gal Rotopax extending another 50 miles, but Idaho backcountry roads can be deceiving in length, so when a refueling opportunity presents itself … we partake. Now the 690 is short of a super tanker with it’s Safari Tank…. requiring fewer fuel stops.
We head up Hwy 21 towards Moores Creek Summit ….
Not a straight road-
Arrival at Moores Creek Summit –
We’ve made good time to the summit with John E in the lead. Unfortunately he has to wait a few minutes as John V was required to lift my bike off me as I lay pinned on the side of the road. I failed to remember that I had gear bags strapped to the back of the bike and when I stopped to snap a pic of the “not straight” road sign I attempted to swing a leg over and found myself on the ground! … good to get that one out of the way early!
Hwy 21 from Idaho City to Lowman is part of the Ponderosa Pine Scenic Byway and is comprised of 30 miles of motorcycle nirvana. The next 30 minutes did not suck!
“One’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things.” (Henry Miller)
With winter still yet to settle in, another Sunday has presented itself with opportunity for another daily adventure …. so, today I decide to drive the loop over Thorn Creek Butte with my sights fixed on the fire lookout tower that rests on top of it’s 7500ft peak.
Driving up Hwy 21 out of East Boise, I make my turn along the Atlanta/Middle Fork Road. The first site of significance is the old Arrowrock Dam. Being one of three, Arrowrock is a concrete arched structure built back in 1912, the project intentions were of flood control for the Boise Basin and improved irrigation for downstream farmers.
-Arrowrock Dam-
“Arrowrock Dam is a concrete arch dam on the Boise River, in the U.S. state of Idaho. It opened in 1915 and is located on the border between Boise County and Elmore County, upstream of the Lucky Peak Dam and reservoir. The spillway elevation for Arrowrock is 3,219 feet (981 m) above sea level and its primary purpose is to provide irrigation water for agriculture”
Once past the dam, the road winds precariously along the lakes edge before making the connection to Cotton Wood Rd …. at least once a year a vehicle plunges from the road to the water body below …. volcanic cliffs exposed along the opposite shore detail the geologic diversity of the area.
-Cotton Wood Road-
Cotton Wood Road continues north past the old Cotton Wood Ranger Station. It used to make the connection over Cotton Wood Summit to Hwy 21, but a number of years back a slide blocked the road with the USFS electing not to reopen to vehicle traffic. It does however remain passable by bike and ATV.
-Cotton Wood Ranger Station-
The road continuing up towards the ridge junction …. is in surprising good condition ….
….. but does start to get a bit more primitive once past the ridge junction and heading up the ridge towards the peak.
Overcast skies with some low hanging clouds down in the valley …. The road continues to narrow as it climbs up the ridge …. with spectacular views opening up to the south.
As the top nears the timber starts to appear …..
-Scary water crossing-
-Destination Thorn Creek-
-The hobbit forest-
After passing a few tent cities (Hunting Camps) …. the final stretch.
The wind was howling, so I made a quick lap around the observation deck before making a quick retreat back to the warmth of the truck.
-View north-
-View west-
-View south-
-View east-
Working my way back down to Hwy 21 ….
-Ponderosa forest-
As I make my way down I pass two trucks on their way up that are fully chained …. we’ve had a few days of rain, so I guess they are preparing for the worst since they were also pulling large trailers.
I near the bottom and round a corner to find three pickups stopped. One is pulling a full sized hard side camp trailer that is starting to slide towards the downhill side of the road, which also presents a significant drop …. pulling his truck in the same direction. Now I understand why the previous trucks were chained up.
Myself and a couple of guys who came in behind me walk down to eyeball the situation. The road surface is so slimy it is difficult to walk across. With the number of rigs already on the scene I determine that I do not really have any assistance to offer. It is obvious that this group is going to be in full recovery mode for some time, so I backtrack my way back up to the ridge and nervously head over to Meadow Creek not knowing if I might find similar sections of mud.
The road over to Meadow Creek is windy and narrow, too narrow for trailers, limiting traffic to zero. The road conditions along this track end up being excellent … no mud to be found. I continue over Rabbit Creek Summit and make my way down to Idaho City, then Hwy 21 back home …. my day only to be delayed 45 min by my required reroute.
While walking the perimeter observation deck enjoying the view I take notice that someone before me has pried the lock mechanism from the door jam. My curiosity gets the better of me, so I take a quick look inside.
The interior is simple and tidy. Obviously cleaned up and organized after it’s last occupant …. which my guess was some time ago. Area maps still in place ….. although the turntable has long since been removed. The aged interior makes one take thought of decades of summers past when this lookout was staffed. What was life like on top of this peak. Did the people who staffed this lookout appreciate every sunset and sunrise, or did it turn into just another monotonous task that had to be done?
I close and re-secure the door ….
View down the roads final stretch just below the peak ….
Even in the day when the road was probably a bit more maintained I can’t imagine it being a very fun drive up …. only visited by ATV’s and Motorcycles these days.
I enjoy a bit more of the view before contemplating my accent … You notice here my full sized USFS Map. I utilize these along with the proper MVUM’s to route my days. The High Basin Tank Bag has a unique feature in that it has exchangeable top pockets. You can either run a basin zippered stash pocket or replace that with a map pocket that has been sized to actually accommodate a folded USFS map. Not all systems on the market can actually claim this.
My ride down from the peak is quick and uneventful … Right below the peak there is a trail that peels off the road on the north side. I’ve ridden up this trail once. It was super fun, but does have some exposure that would make any kind of incident while riding solo problematic, so I remain true to the road. however in terms of mechanical issues, I do carry a full assortment of tools. Those tools are kept in my OBR ADV Gear Tool Roll and Tool Pouches keeping everything organized and accessible. OBR also has an item called the Flat Mat. The Flat Mat unfolds into a 24″ x 24″ ground pad provide a clean work space for maintenance or repairs. The Flat Mat also has slip pockets, so while you are removing bolts and/or nuts you can stash them into one of these pockets to keep them from getting misplaced, which we have all done.
Bottom …
Deer Park …
I make my way past Deer Park and along the North Fork Boise to Barber Flat … from Barber Flat you can either ride back over the mountain to Alexander Flat or over Rabbit Creek Summit into Idaho City.
I point the direction of Rd 327 to Rabbit Creek Summit and Idaho City ….
Idaho City below
Reconnecting with Hwy 21 and refueling in Idaho City…. I enjoy a nice paced ride back to Robie Creek, over Rocky Canyon, and back to Boise ….. ride time was right around 6 hrs with a daily mileage at approx. 150 miles…. an easy day ride from town.
After the bike cooled down enough to allow the expanded coolant to transfer back into its radiators …. I continued my way back up the trail, around switchbacks … and over loose rock. Having luggage that has been designed with load centralization in mind plays a big part when accessing these types of locations. When the terrain is steep and loose you need to be able to transfer from the saddle to the pegs with no interference of your luggage. OBR ADV Gear is up to this task!
The lookout comes into view ….
Big sky ….
The Middle Fork of the Boise river drainage (image center) that I rode up this day ….
I turn the corner and attack the last stretch of loose rock to the lookout …
Swanholm Peak …. originally built in 1922, is currently unmanned, but at the ready should it need to be recommissioned into service.
Deck view to the west ….
South/Southwest
Southeast towards Warrior Peak. Warrior Lakes are just beyond this point and are motorized accessible, but make sure you are comfortable as the trail becomes a bit more technical.
