texatDurango
North Texas
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Hi all, we're heading up into Northern Idaho and Washington next week and on the way back thought about taking Highway 95 from Lewiston, Idaho heading South towards Boise.
My mountain directory warns about several steep grades and I try to avoid 7% grades if possible but can manage them if needed.
In you opinion, is this a scenic area making the grades worthwhile?
Also, it's only around 250 miles from Lewiston to Boise, are there any nice campgrounds in-between on Hwy 95 that might be a nice overnight stay?
Thanks in advance for any thoughts.
George
2006 Duramax Diesel 1 ton dually tugging around a 2006 Mobile Suites 36TK3 #2609. Retired and just travelling around now and then seeing the sights.
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nevadanick
Elko, Nevada
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Its been my experiance that all highways in Idaho are scenic.
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ArcticDodge
Sammamish, WA
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It's a very scenic route. The good news is that you will be descending White Bird Pass. If you want, I'd take a left at New Meadows to hwy 55 to see some of the best of Idaho. Find a campground in or around McCall. Ponderosa State Park is most likely full but worth a call to find out. McCall is a great town on beautiful Lake Payette.
Lake Payette
The last down hill before the long climb up White Bird Pass heading North on 95
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cruiserjs
Aurora, CO, USA/ Mesa AZ/ openroad
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Arctic Dodge is right on. But - if you are interested in fishing - take an overnight in Riggins and try the Little Salmon!! Another nice stop, but not far from Lewiston is Winchester State park - obviously at Winchester!
Enjoy the views!
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paulj
Seattle
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Lewiston is the lowest point in the state. It is on the Snake River. Any way in and out encounters a grade. 95 gradually climbs onto a plateau at Winchester, and drops back down to the Salmon (which flows into the Snake) at White Bird. From there it follows the Salmon to Riggins, and gradually climbs up the Little Salmon to New Meadows. 95 jogs west and then on south, again encountering the Snake near I84. The alternative from New Meadows is 55, which climbs a bit to the McCall area (5000'), and then gradually drops as it heads south to Boise. South of Cascade 55 runs along the Payette River canyon.
Besides the two state parks that have mentioned, there are BLM campgrounds at lower levels along the Salmon, and Forest Service ones at higher elevations around McCall. Temperatures are quite a bit higher at low levels. McCall is high enough that snow did not complete melt until June this year.
This Idaho DOT page
http://511.idaho.gov/staticMap.asp?display=mountain
gives a maximum of 7% grade for White Bird.
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summutt2002
Over here......no, over there!
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It's a nice ride. There are several RV parks along the Snake River, but it is HOT in the canyon. McCall is nice. Along with Ponderosa Park, there is a commercial park in McCall (McCall RV Resort, I think) and it was pretty nice when we stayed there.
An alternate route would be to Montana and 93, which you can take all the way to Las Vegas, and it is very scenic as well...take a side trip through Sun Valley and Stanley in Idaho. Challis Hot Springs along this route is wonderful, if you can get in. If you're starting from Lewiston, Hwy 12 into Montana (Lolo Trail) is a stunning drive.
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paulj
Seattle
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Grades on 93 are comparable to those on 95. Interestingly both travel along the Salmon river, but on opposite sides of the state. There is also construction on 93 south of Missoula (around Hamilton). When we made a loop earlier in June on both 95 and 93, we encountered snow flurries at Lost Trail Pass on 93. There hare a lot of hot springs, both rustic public, and commercial along both routes.
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texatDurango
North Texas
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summutt2002 wrote:It's a nice ride......but it is HOT in the canyon...
That's one thing I realized when I started routing the trip. I think since we are coming out of Washington, we well go down through eastern Oregon instead. Looks like a little higher elevations and possible a bit cooler.
Thanks for the ideas
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paulj
Seattle
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However on US95, you'll be driving along the Salmon river for only a few hours, then it is back up to New Meadows and McCall. Then you drop back down to the Snake River around Boise. 95 in SE Oregon (Jordan Valley) is the high desert like much of Nevada.
What were you thinking of taking in Oregon? From Lewiston you can go south to Joseph which at higher altitude, but in the process you have to drop down to that river level to cross the Grande Ronde. US395 from Spokane would be easier, but not particularly scenic. You could still be warm around the Tri-cities and Pendleton.
Go to NOAA weather forecasts, and click on various towns along the route. Their forcasts are adjusted for altitude
paulj
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summutt2002
Over here......no, over there!
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Another route worth consideration is 12 west out of Lewiston thru Walla Walla, the OR 11 to Pendleton, pick up 395 to Reno. Relatively scenic, nice little RV park in Burns OR. Paulj is determined to send someone down Rattlesnake Grade to the Grande Ronde. Quit it! 
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