Sunday June 18, 2023, 30 miles (48 km) - Total so far: 597 miles (961 km)
Today’s route:
Well, we had a lot of discussion about what todays route should be due the mileage, terrain, limited services and the possibility of storms. It stormed all night in Kamiah. We had made a reservation at the Wilderness Inn which is about 30 miles East from Kamiah as a tentative plan. Alternatively, we could ride 58 miles and camp at Wilderness Gateway Campground. From there it’s another 30 miles up over Lolo Pass into Lolo Hot Springs where we could camp or possibly find a room.
While the mountain weather is unpredictable, the forecast was calling for more storms in the coming days. In fact, it was 35 degrees and raining in Lolo Hot Springs when I checked this morning.
We decided to set out around 8:30 after breakfast at our motel and aim for the Wilderness Lodge, watch the weather, and possibly ride on to the Wilderness Gateway campground.
The weather was good - we made it to the Wilderness Lodge in under three hours in time for a good lunch. The Lodge is located along the Clearwater River in Lowell, ID where the sign proclaims a population of 23. While having lunch in the Lodge’s cafe, we dined with several of the locals and talked to a few. We also met the nicest couple, Jeff and Janice, who had stopped for lunch on their way home from a camping/fishing trip. They reassured us regarding the weather for tomorrow and especially the grade of the climb we had coming as compared to some of the climbs we’d already done. So, we decided to call it a short day, ordered some huckleberry ice cream, and made plans to enjoy the afternoon sitting on the riverbank. What a perfect Father’s Day!
A few other highlights from the day -
Stopped in Kooskia about 7 miles out at an outdoors store hoping to pick up some bear spray and rope to hang our food should we decide to camp. They didn’t have any, and the store owner quipped that “they just use lead here.” He and his wife reassured us that the bears pretty much leave you alone since they have plenty of “natural feed”. He also showed us the stuffed cougar that he had recently shot. We heard that the real local predator is the gray wolf which kills for sport and is not indigenous to the area but comes from Canada. We left feeling better about not having bear spray but wondered if instead we needed wolf spray!
As we talked about our trip, Janice told us to have fun and not to worry - her philosophy: we are all born with two dates and a dash. Live the dash!
Locally shot and stuffed cougar
Lunch at Wilderness Inn Cafe
Home for tonight at Wilderness Inn
Wilderness Inn decor
Relaxing along the river on Father's Day
Rode our bikes here for a break and to watch some golf
"Bearly" survived!
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