I paddled the length of Ross over 40 years ago, one trip starting from the north in BC and getting about half way (weekend trips), and once starting from the south on Diablo with the truck portage around the dam. The winds on Diablo can be troublesome (wish that I was tandem instead of two solos). But, 40 years ago (with a youthful perspective) the world was a different place. We had a good time.
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What's out West?
- Thread starter Gamma1214
- Start date
If you take I90, you'll be following the Clark Fork river going west out of Missoula. Leave the interstate at Wye and follow the river on HWY 200, all the way to Lake Pend Oreille. Worth the drive, even if you never wet a boat. Last I checked, there are shuttle services, and much of the river is canoeable. The lake itself is worth checking out as well. Lots of camping opportunity on the route.
From Sandpoint at the north end of the lake, you can cut back down to I90 via HWY 93.
Or you could diverge a short distance farther north from Standpoint and paddle "The Thoroughfare" out of Beaver Creek campground into Upper Priest Lake for a day trip or an overnighter. (Highly recommended)
OTOH, if you wish to stay on I90 and skip Clark Fork - Pend Oreille, you may want to stop for a day and ride the Hiawatha Trail. It's a bicycle trail that runs on the abandoned Milwaukee Road railbed east of Wallace and runs through several high mountain tunnels and over several high trestles. It's easy pedaling with fantastic views, and there's a shuttle system that runs daily. Bring a headlamp and a spare light. Bring your own bike if you can. Rentals are available, but you need to reserve or get there early. It would be a shame to drive right by and not do that.
The trail starts just off of I90. Registration and rental are at the ski resort office (also right off the interstate, and a short drive to the trail). Riders are allowed to RV or car camp in the parking lot, which is surprisingly quiet.
From Sandpoint at the north end of the lake, you can cut back down to I90 via HWY 93.
Or you could diverge a short distance farther north from Standpoint and paddle "The Thoroughfare" out of Beaver Creek campground into Upper Priest Lake for a day trip or an overnighter. (Highly recommended)
OTOH, if you wish to stay on I90 and skip Clark Fork - Pend Oreille, you may want to stop for a day and ride the Hiawatha Trail. It's a bicycle trail that runs on the abandoned Milwaukee Road railbed east of Wallace and runs through several high mountain tunnels and over several high trestles. It's easy pedaling with fantastic views, and there's a shuttle system that runs daily. Bring a headlamp and a spare light. Bring your own bike if you can. Rentals are available, but you need to reserve or get there early. It would be a shame to drive right by and not do that.
The trail starts just off of I90. Registration and rental are at the ski resort office (also right off the interstate, and a short drive to the trail). Riders are allowed to RV or car camp in the parking lot, which is surprisingly quiet.
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Thanks guys. Priest Lake was on the radar but not Upper Priest. I'd also heard that Spirit Lake was worth dipping a paddle into. Both appear to be within easy striking distance of rte 2 (at this point, the preferred route West... still not sure how I'm getting home)
The Idaho Panhandle has great lakes for paddling. I used to live next to the Idaho border. Lake Pend Oreille is like an inland sea full of islands. A really great place to paddle.
I was in that area for a couple weeks nearly 20 years ago. I don't think I was really even looking for a paddle but was just cruising the back roads checking things out when I came upon Priest Lake. All I had was a Delorme atlas and it looked like it showed an interesting channel connecting upper and Lower Priest lakes and that Upper Priest had multiple boat in/hike in camping sites. Upper Priest may have had motor restrictions as well but I can't remember for sure.
As I recall I just pulled over on the side of the road and dumped the boat in the water at the very north end of Priest lake near the channel. It was a perfect day and there was no one else on the water, or land, that I saw. It was a great paddle and one I still think of often. I'd like to repeat it someday. Or maybe I shouldn't. It could never live up to my memory of it.
Alan
The question sounds like a joke.
More than you can imagine.
More than you can imagine.
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I'm well aware that, even if I had an entire lifetime, I could not see/do everything out there that's worth seeing/doing (much like I can't paddle every route worth paddling in Ontario without a winning lottery ticket and a fountain of youth).
I guess what I was after is this: Is there anything along the proposed route(s) that you might consider a hidden gem... a "must see" that escapes the radars of the typical tourist (or something that is on everyone's radar because it simply shouldn't be missed)?
Some good info so far and I'm leaning toward staying South of the border on route 2 on the way out. Probably means seeing more people but that seems to be the way it is along the border.
You can't see it all.
Don't worry about anything you "must see."
Don't worry about anything you "must see."
You might also consider leaving I90 at Missoula and crossing Idaho via highway 12. Follows the Lochsa river and then the Clearwater. Very scenic, and the Clearwater is canoeable from just above Kooskia. Then head north from Lewiston and catch Upper Priest on the way. That is, if you're okay with skipping the Clark Fork and Hiawatha Trail.
