SUNDAY DRIVE DOWN THE RIVER OF NO RETURN

For our Sunday drive this week we went south to North Fork, ID and made a right turn and drove to Shoup, ID and beyond.  This road follows the Salmon River and is a beautiful drive.  I was on it as a youngster but can't remember very much about it.  Captain William Clark tried to go this way on Lewis and Clark's quest to get to the west coast.  After going so far, they realized it was impassable and in no way could they return east on this route.  Lots of folks float this river now but it is pretty hazardous.

We got to see a number of elk, mule deer, and bighorn sheep.  The views were great also.  We drove up a forest service road to the north and had lunch up there on a ridge line all the while watching a forecast storm coming up from the south.  It did not rain on us there but on the way home on Lost Trail pass it did start to rain. 

Entering North Fork, Idaho.

Driving west out of North Fork.

The Salmon River looking pretty mellow.

The road was in very good shape.

The sign across the road from the Shoup Store.

The river starts to get a little rougher and it just gets worse.

Some Bighorn sheep along the road.

Drove up a logging road to get a better view and have lunch.

Lots of wildflowers.

Lunch spot.  You can see a storm coming.

A bald eagle on the top of the electric pole on our lane when coming home.

SULA TO GIBBONS PASS TO MT HWY 43

Connie and I took our Sunday drive in the southern Bitterroot leaving the highway at Sula Ranger Station and drove over the Gibbons Pass to MT highway 43 then back to Lost Trail Pass and back home.  Very narrow road and would suggest anyone driving it to leave early so there is hardly any traffic.  Passing places are few and far between.  But what a treat it was as the wildflowers were full on in bloom.  We have done this drive before and really enjoyed it but it is the first time we did it in the spring but won't be the last.  Still a little snow in the high country but the road was in excellent shape.  Got to see both mule deer and whitetail deer plus some elk.  Trail Creek was high but that is to be expected this time of year.  Will do it again that is for sure.

Like I said, the road is narrow and no guard rails so passing with big rigs is hard.

Looking down on highway 93.  Lost Trail pass is up on the left and Sula down to the right.

There are some turn outs on corners though.

Looking down towards Sula.

Lots of Arrowleaf Balsaroots on the hills.

Connie and Zeph walking along the road.

Paintbrush and lupine.

Some flowers we do not know.

The meadows along Trail Creek.

This snag had blue birds and swallows nesting in it.

Lots of little creeks flowing down to the Atlantic as we are just east of the Continental Divide.

WILLOW CREEK DRIVE 2

We took a drive up Willow Creek and almost made it to the turn to the lookout.  The snow and mud was making the road a little to narrow to drive up further so we turned around.  Lots of wildflowers in the lower elevations but hardly any up higher.  But they will be there in a few weeks.

A skiff of new snow on the higher mountains.

A mule deer doe watches us drive by.

Up by the Gold Creek burn area.

Lots and lots of dead trees in the burn area.

Lots of wildflowers in the lower elevations.

More rain coming.

Connie and Zeph headed back to jeep after taking pictures.

The road is in good shape.

You can see this old pine is destined to be logged this summer by the orange spray paint on it.

Lots of wildflowers.

The dog is always by Connie's side.