Oh, Idaho - Looking for tips and feedback on possible routes through Idaho

[Boudicca908]

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

 

 

 

[Galway Girl]

5 hours ago, Boudicca908 said:

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);

A nice campground is off 26 in Ririe ID.  It's called Juniper Campground and is on the reservoir with some campsites along the rim with a view of the reservoir.  Other sites have full hookups and beautiful lawns in the park.

https://www.junipercampground.com

 

Bluff view at Juniper CG.

Typical FHU Site in middle of Juniper CG.

 

Another stop on your loop is an Idaho State park called Three Island Crossing SP.

https://parksandrecreation.idaho.gov/parks/three-island-crossing/

 

It's next door to a winery for wine tasting and a golf course.  It also has a very nice interpretive center.
We've camped here several times as my wife Great Grandfather was a wagon train scout from Missouri that took folks across here 5 different times.

There are a variety of campsites FHU to no Dry Camping in this park and well worth a two day stop.

Interpretive Center in distance:

 

 

 

Typical Campsite at Thee Island Crossing SP

 

There are so many great places in that loop that you'll have no trouble finding great fishing near or at most of the state and NF campgrounds..>Have a great trip.

CS

 

 

 

 

Edited Saturday at 10:51 PM by Galway Girl
added park web link