While visiting with a friend Toby, at the 25′ Touratech Rally I was invited on a trip that he was putting together for some of his buddies in Seattle. The idea was for them to come over and experience part of Idaho on their motorcycles. With an expectation of true adventure motorcycling, finding camps along the route that would also allow for some fishing and more importantly, experiencing some of the vast Idaho backcountry speckled with the mining history that is responsible for some of the routes that we so enjoy today. Toby asked if I could help with suggesting a loop …. my reply of course, absolutely!
The launch date was set for the end of July … this gave us a few short weeks to get our bikes prepped and set a route that would hopefully exceed everyone’s expectations. A few texts were sent back and forth, some containing .gpx route files, we set a final coffee meet to go over and finalize our planned route. Now, do keep in mind that no route is ever etched in stone … routes are always loose suggestions and very often will morph to best accommodate the rhythm of the trip, conditions and the overall mood of the group.
As the launch date neared, I was planning how I wanted to set up my bike for this trip. I would be riding my 2019 KTM 1090, a bike that has proven comfortable and reliable (per KTM standards). I would be running a full complement of OBR ADV Gear luggage, but plan on packing a bit differently for this trip. Normally I would pack my tent, chair and small table in a dry duffel that rides over the rear of the saddle. This trip I intended to pack food and clothing in the OBR 35l Dry Duffel and move the tent down to one of my Explorer Pannier Dry Bags. My intention was to have my tent share space with other parts of my kit like the chair, table, cook kit, etc that were not critical in the event they became wet. Thunderstorms are thing mid to late Summer. I had a separate stuff sack for my rain fly that would isolate the fly should it become dew or rain soaked but still would not affect the other kit stowed in that particular pannier. My sleeping system would reside in the opposite side so that it would always remain dry.
As usual the packing process took about three times as long as expected, but everything was packed and ready for an 8am departure the following morning. I am packing a gallon of water and fuel in a Rotopax. Neither would be used during the trip as we found water each night and fuel stops were all well within range. Better safe than sorry I guess …
Ready for battle!
8am came around quick … before I knew it, I was headed out of the garage with the plan to meet the group over on the east end of Boise. Our plan was to jump onto Blacks Creek Rd and work our way through Prairie, along the South Fork of the Boise River, along Anderson Ranch (Intersecting the IDBDR), Pine/Featherville and then over James Creek up and over to the Middle Fork of the Boise.
I connected with the guys over on the east end meeting for the first time Jeremy, Todd, Sean and Brent. Toby of course was leading them all in. Jeremy and Sean, I had met over at Touratech, but this will be our first on bikes.
The roads are your typical Idaho dry slick … that’s usually a layer of decomposed granite over hardpack with a few spots of sand thrown in. You need to make sure that your bike is properly balanced and be comfortable with the bike drifting a bit. Drifting is good as that is predictable. Tucking and washing not so much. We had one rider go down in a sandy section, but luckily, he was good to go with only a few scrapes on his bike and a small ding to his ego. Happens to the best of us. It usually takes a day for everyone to settle into their pace, find the right tire pressure and suspension settings. This trip will be no different.
ADV fingerprints
We made our way up through Prairie and down along the South Fork of the Boise. The rising temps warranted a quick stop at the river for a break and to wet down our riding gear for the expected warm stretch into Pine.
Pine would be our first fuel stop … probably not needed but never violate the golden rule of never passing by a fuel stop. Along with fuel, we stopped for a great lunch at a restaurant right next to the gas stop. (Make note if your ever in Pine)
Bikes and bodies fueled we continued up the road to Featherville. From Featherville we would turn north up to Rocky Bar. Rocky Bar is an old mining ghost town that over time has lost some it’s structures but not its charm. You used to be able to wander around the site, but it is now privately owned and pretty locked down. Still interesting none the less.
Rocky Bar
Headed up James Creek
James Creek is a primitive two track that runs up over the pass and down into the Middle Fork drainage popping out just below the small townsite of Atlanta.
“James Creek Road is a historic access route in Idaho, primarily connecting the mining towns of Featherville, Rocky Bar, and Atlanta. It was constructed as a way to supply the mining communities during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The road follows the historic route of freighters and mule skinners, providing access to the rugged Sawtooth Mountain area and featuring a monument at James Creek Summit commemorating these early pioneers, such as Peg Leg Annie.”
A small waterfall along the way, Elk Creek I believe … yep, a bit dusty
The summit, looking over to the southern tip of the Sawtooth Mountains
… and the Middle Fork of the Boise River below
With day one drawing to a close … fatigue is setting in and the idea of camp is foremost in our minds. We found a nice camp in the small Queens River Campground just a short distance down the road. We settled in, got cleaned up and relaxed for the remainder of day one.
