Boudicca908

Do you remember your guide's name?

Greetings to the Forum! I am planning a foray into Idaho this summer and love to hear any thoughts, tips and feedback. I’m not really set on any specific destination, but would love to see the Sawtooth range and find some good hiking and fishing spots. To begin looking at routes, I used scenic routes suggested by friends who were not towing or camping – so I am not feeling confident in my routes. Any and all feedback is greatly appreciated. I will be approaching from Jackson WY. o I am assuming that I should detour south on 191 through Hoback WY, to avoid towing over the steep pass on Rte 22; o I drive a 2500 diesel; o My description is broken into segments, since I haven’t located camping spots yet. I might discard segments if the roads aren’t conducive to towing. o I’ve included google map links to the loops, but I know sometimes google doesn’t behave and changes the route I've created. o Initially I was looking at driving all the way to Missoula along the Scenic Rte 93, through Hamilton (the first route describe, with 3A below), but there seems to be a lot of switchback mountain driving. And a lot of it is fairly remote. Anyone use this route? Or alternate route? o Alternate B cuts this short by taking Rte 21, the Scenic Ponderosa Pine Byway, but it still has a fair amount of remote and mountainous terrain. Anyone tow this route? o I may make two separate forays. First, I will take a friend along; we have 9 days total (leaving Tetons NP Day 1, returning to Tetons NP on Day 9). I may return for a more leisurely route, focused on fishing and hiking, and a return depends on wildfire conditions and heatwaves. Sawtooth & Salmon Bitterroot Scenic Route 1 – head southwest on 26/89 through Alpine, stay W on 26 to Idaho Falls (fuel & food stop) then 20/26 west to Craters of the Moon National Monument (camp if possible, limited FCFS spots); 2 – from 26W, go north on Rte 75 / Gannett Rd through Bellevue then to Ketchum (stop, see historic Earnest Hemmingway haunts and markers, picnic lunch); drive through Sawtooth NRA and then over Galena Pass Summit (8701ft, a 5 mile descent on the way down, anyone do this towing?) – stop at Galena Pass overlook (camp possibly at Alturas Lake or farther along at Redfish Lake, or other suggested camp sites along 75); ALTERNATE 3A – from Stanley 3A – stay on 75 north/east following the canyons of the Salmon River all the way to a junction with 93 – turn N on 93 and through Challis, Cronks Canyon, Salmon, Lost Trail Pass and Darby – entering Montana. 4 – on through Hamilton, Lolo (possible camp at Lolo Traveler’s Rest) and to Missoula MT. 5 – from Missoula, head back to Jackson WY via I-90 S to I-15 S back to 26 E to Jackson. https://maps.app.goo.gl/zxxMXZXUwpuSN1GZ7 Google calculates the route from Jackson WY to Missoula MT approx. 1,020 miles (too far imo for 9 days) ALTERNATE 3B – from Stanley 3B -- take Rte 21, the Ponderosa Pine Scenic Byway. There is another vista on Stanley Road, about 5 miles away called Elk Mountain Overlook, need to investigate road conditions and towing. Past Cape Horn near Boise NF, Rte loops SW toward Banner Summit then descends through a narrow steep-walled canyon and then a stop at Sawtooth Overlook (if room to pull in). 4 – Possible stop at Kirkham Hot Springs (if I can find a place to park) and/or South Fork Payette River (fishing, swimming, possible elk). Through Lowman (stop for historic markers in the area about the 1989 massive 46,000 acre fire) and Idaho City (gold boom town of 1860s)…. 5A – Then return from Boise via I-84 / I-15 and then Rte 26. through Shoshone ID (camping somewhere along the Big Lost River or the Snake with fishing) https://maps.app.goo.gl/Zrc7jKKa2W4xY5m37 Google calculates the route from Jackson through Boise approx. 875mi Alternate 5B – from Idaho City 5B – detour to Idaho City Falls & Twin Falls parks for hiking (camp nearby if possible). https://maps.app.goo.gl/fMjQZfv5r4kHnYi79 Google calculates the route from Jackson through Twin Falls approx. 870mi

I have found that State Parks (in general) are more expensive than National Parks, and of course BLM and National Forest can be Free - but not always Free! Last year I stayed at few BLM and NF 'campground' areas (no services, but assigned spaces) and they had self-serve pay stations. The rangers would drive through collecting the fees and checking on sites that didn't have their receipts.

When I was addressing this issue of connections for griddle and grilles, the forum offered me the link to this wonderful company called PROPANE GEAR, and so I pass it on to you. With this company, I was able to obtain the correct hardware to use a grille, as well as my Blackstone 17 inch griddle, connecting to propane tanks. They provide great service, and my orders were received in a timely fashion. https://propanegear.com/

I kindly request that the Forum Administrators or Moderators place these instructions - or pin this post - to the WELCOME TO THE OLIVER FORUMS or the HOW TO JOIN & USE FORUMS page. I try to remember this, but don't use it frequently enough. It is very helpful when trying to relocate great threads or bits of knowledge in the vast depths of the OTT Forum pages. @MDuncan @JWalmsley @SeaDawg @topgun2

I use the KISS method.... just like I do with my Starlink cable. I pull it in through the window, by opening the screen a tiny bit. I keep it pretty snug but not too tight, and ditto with the window shades, so that the bugs are held at bay. If you are wanting to install a place to pull the cable, you might try looking at some of the threads people have posted about mounting ports for Starlink cables; some people created a location by going through the garage up to the upper rear bulkhead storage, I think.

I have some comments about Truma.... all good. A couple of summers ago I had a propane leak. It's a long story. I was convinced it was the cooktop, but the only available SOB RV repair shop in North Dakota decided it was the Truma AquaGO, and since they weren't certified by Truma to "Repair" the Truma, and because the unit was under warranty, Truma shipped a new unit and it was installed by the SOB RV place within a few days. Truma gave me fantastic service in that event, getting the unit delivered very quickly. I imagine that they are overwhelmed with the number of units that need to be repaired or replaced with this recall, but my experience with their company is very good, and they worked with OTT service in the course of that event.

Sparse cell coverage was my primary reason for buying Starlink last year. I wanted to be able to contact someone if I needed help, and I found a lot of areas without any cell coverage, even within 5 miles of nice sized towns in Utah. It was great for security, but expensive considering I don't watch television or stream videos or anything; I used it for checking email, making phone calls and communications via Winlink (digital ham radio software). At the time, the 'standard' size was the only option. I developed my own method of 'stowing' the unit when under way -- securing the router and loosely coiled cables in a med sized plastic case with a lid, and tucking the dishy under the comforter on my bed. Never had an issue with it moving around under towing. I never left it outdoors if I wasn't there. I used the 'cord out the window' method to deploy it, choosing the best window location for access to open northern skyline. Once you use it a few times, you will know what clearances you need from trees and other potential blockage that could interrupt your signal (and it doesn't like any blockage in the signal). Since I want it for security, I never paused (you pause for a month at a time). I'm looking forward to the better price point of the mini for my camping, and probably leaving the standard with my brother -- he can use it for internet if systems are taken out by a hurricane or other issues. EDIT: Here is the link to the Starlink Resellers -- a lot more than I expected. https://www.starlink.com/support/article/9b7746f8-e2ee-0fd4-7ffb-3bbe0ab35cbc

Last summer I had some difficulty getting a couple of my zerk fittings to take grease, and THANKS to the forum members for all their great suggestions, it was solved by taking pressure off a tire. But rather than jack the side up, I used the tandem trailer ramp that I had purchased (and never used before). It worked! Here's what it looks like: https://www.amazon.com/Trailer-Aid-Tandem-Changing-Change-Trailers/dp/B000I4JPZE?th=1 That way I didn't have to actually remove any tires. I also use the small caps on the zerks to keep them clean; only once have I found one of the caps missing. They do keep a lot of dirt out.

Starlink is great for being on the road. I was looking at the Starlink website today, and they have a special -- Standard kit for $149 (less than half normal price) offered until 3/31/25 "in select areas". Just FYI.

I love how you've combined multiple trips into one map. I use google maps a lot for general planning, notes about places to see, historical sites that aren't necessarily 'marked' on the highway or regular paper maps. I hope you update us if and when you add some photos!

Congrats to you on all of those changes -- that's a LOT of changes! I look forward to perusing the catalog.

Re-reading this post.... I have seen damage to lanai doors that seem to have a similar construction (materials) and we thought it was due to long bouts of strong sun exposure on one side of the door, with cooler shaded side reacting differently. That may be wrong, but I wonder. Foams and plastics are light weight, but sun and heat can really break them down.

Bill -- I was severely distracted when you posted this, and missed it. It's nice to see where others go for fishing. This year I did manage to spend some time in WY but it was late. I will post photos eventually. Next year, I plan to spend a lot more time there, and hopefully see more of MT and visit ID for the first time. Love the fishing report!

I don't -- where are you? It looks lovely.