The decision to push south out of Challis was a good one. Just as we crest over Corral Creek Summit, there is an overlook I want to show the guys. From this vantage point you can fully see the valley from the North from where we came and the thunderstorms we have conveniently avoided. Across the valley we are looking at the Pasimeroi Mountains of the Lemhi Range.
North
South
The welcome blue skies to the south. We load up and point our bikes towards the blue like it’s our north star.
The run into the basin via Burma Road is a fun one … the road is smooth with lots of flow where you can simply stand on the pegs and guide the bike with minor weight shifts. Once off the Burma Road you’ll run up to the Copper Basin Guard Station. From there will be the start of the Copper Basin Loop Rd, a fast-riding strip across high desert with six bikes leaving behind dusty con trails.
Copper Basin
Once in the basin we have a few choices on where we want to end up. Being Sunday, most of the weekend traffic has already cleared out.
We circumnavigate the basin ultimately landing at the developed campground located at the apex of the loop. We roll through the campground to find it completely empty. Tables to spread out our gear, bathrooms and a stream for the guys to fish …. sold.
We setup camp and settle in for night three.
I’ve been using a new water filter this trip … it’s a water bottle style from a company called Grayl. This filter is a unique concept where the bottle separates into two parts. You pull out the filter assembly from the top and fill the bottom by simply dipping into the water source. To filter you press the upper section back on and press it down like a coffee press. I’ve found this system to be very convenient, and I’ve always got a full water bottle in camp.
Everyone spreads out selecting their own camp spot, completing camp chores and hitting the creek for some fishing. Our pace thus far has been great. We haven’t been forced to early rise due to having to log miles. We’ve been able to keep our riding to about 5 hrs a day putting us in camp between 3-5pm. This pace has allowed us to enjoy other aspects of our trip and surroundings, more so than just riding motorcycles, a great balance making the trip much more relaxed and enjoyable.
We conclude the evening with more stories and drink around the campfire.
Our night 2 camp was along Yankee Fork Creek smack in between the Yankee Fork Dredge and the Custer Ghost Town. Part of what had caught my eye as we were riding by this spot was the possible fishing water behind camp. This ended up being a great little spot as Jeremy was the first to land a nice Idaho Trout.
Thunderstorms had rolled through earlier in the day leaving a damp layer over the camp. This provided a safe setting to get a campfire going. Nothing much better than preparing dinner at the end of the day next to a warm campfire! Chit chat and banter proceeded for the next few hours until the pull of the sleeping bag was simply too strong.
My shelter of choice on this trip is a 2 person REI Quarter Dome. The Quarter Dome is a lightweight Sil-Nylon tent and fly designed specifically for the backpacking space. After all that is basically what we do … backpack from adventure motorcycles. Our performance needs are similar in that we need lightweight and compactable gear that will still perform in adverse conditions. As a changing and entry mat I use my OBR Flat Mat. While the Flat Mat is intended for making a trail side repair workspace, I find it also doubles nicely for a changing pad or entry mat for your tent.
Made in the USA
The humidity was a bit higher the second night due to the previous day’s intermittent rain showers. This made for a slightly cooler night’s sleep with all of us waking up to dew-soaked tents and gear. Luckily, we awoke to clear skies and a rising sun. We all promptly started to layout our damp gear for the sun to start the drying process.
With coffee again consumed, our gear finally dry and bikes packed we all started to individually depart camp minutes apart of one another with the plan to meet at the Custer Ghost Town. However, when I went to start my bike to warm up, I was greeted with that familiar click-click sound. Our modern motorcycles are sensitive to voltage, and my battery has just given me a sign of weakness. My level of concern is at a zero other than I’m annoyed that I need to now remove my dry duffel to access my battery with a starter pack I always carry. Connecting my starter pack I again press the start button…click-click … After inspecting I soon realize that the starter pack is inconveniently malfunctioning … concern meter is now slightly elevated. Maybe to a 3.
Luckily Brent was still in camp and shortly thereafter Toby rolls back in with his starter pack. A quick swap of the starter pack and my bike started right up. Crisis adverted and we all re-group down the road in Custer.
Custer
Bike warmed up
Sean, Jeremy and Brent … at the Empire Saloon. Toby and Todd were taking the tour.
I’ve been through Custer a few times already, so we allow time for those in the group who want to mill around. 30-40 minutes later we have the bikes fired and we are now heading down the Custer Motorway towards Challis.
The Custer Motorway is a fun single lane track that stretches about 35 miles between Custer and Challis. The road runs through meadows, along creeks, past old stage stops and over a summit.
The Old Mill and Cemetary
The Motorway
Intermittently along the Motorway there are marked locations of old stage stops. The stage stops would have allow stop over points for distant past travelers. Ironic that what now takes us only a few hours, was previously travelled in a couple of days. The Motorway was also one of the early toll roads exacting their fee for the passage of labor and supplies.
Eleven Mile Barn
Keeping it tight
Once reaching the eastern terminus we cross Corkscrew Grade … then make a decent into Challis where we will fuel the bikes, grab some lunch and buy some refreshments for when we find camp.
During lunch I suggest an alternate to our original plan. Originally, we were going to head north into Montana and take the Magruder across to Elk City. Review of the weather radar is showing the possibility of moderate to heavy thunderstorms … not to mention there is little opportunity for fishing.
So, we head south … along Hwy 93 skirting the Lost River Range. We’ll connect with the Burma Road and ride that up over into Copper Basin where it is typically dryer and has a couple of creek options to wet a line.
Burma Road, climbing out of the valley
Viewpoint, North from where we came and then South
I believe this decision to be a good one … we were able to stay just to the south of the pending thunderstorms and Copper Basin did prove to be a few degrees warmer and much dryer.
My OBR ADV Gear Explorer Saddlebag System so far has performed flawlessly. The Holster keeps the systems 30l Dry Bags pulled in and tight. I’m currently running pannier racks from Tusk and using the Tusk Mounting Brackets. The Dry Bags have kept ALL dust and water at bay and so far, have proven to be very quick and easy to unpack and repack. The Explorer Dry Bags are designed to simply pull away from the Holster. This is a very convenient feature should you want to toss one of your dry bags into your tent or vestibule without detaching the entire system from the bike… I however chose to leave the Dry Bag on the bike and just tucked down the top lip before turning in to protect from any nighttime rain.
With the overlook being at the summit we push on over the other side and into the basin.
