Lemhi Pass - Sept. 14-15 (1 Viewer)

[1989FJ]

It’s almost time for the last club sponsored trip of the year, and we’re heading down south of Dillon to Lemhi Pass. The Big Hollow fire is now 80% contained, so plans are tentatively scheduled around the fire dying down and the area being open for travel.

This is planned as an overnight trip, but you can choose your own adventure and come along for as much as you’d like.

Day One will be a pretty mellow, scenic drive through the mountains, with some stops along the way. These roads should be passable by stock trucks, and would be a great intro for a beginner, or to bring the family along. We’ll camp at Reservoir Lake Campground. Reservoir Lake reportedly has fish in it, so bring your gear and see if you can catch dinner.

Day 1 Map

Lewis and Clark Backcountry Byway

Lemhi Pass

Reservoir Lake CG

Day Two will be an optional side trip to Cowbone and Darkhorse Lakes, which will be a tougher trail in the area. I haven’t run this trail, so I’ll let others who have chime in on difficulty.

Day 2 Map

Cowbone and Darkhorse Lakes

The plan for now is:

Sept.14
-Meet in Dillon at 9:00
-Check out Bannack Ghost Town
-Drive Lemhi Pass / Lewis and Clark Backcountry Byway, lunch along the way at a scenic spot
-Camp at Reservoir Lake Campground
Sept. 15
-Darkhorse and Cowbone Lakes Trail
-Lunch
-Head home

If anyone has any other suggestion for this trip, post em up!

I’ll be carrying GMRS set to Ch15

Who’s in?

Confirmed:
@1989FJ
@geo5

Maybe:

 

[geo5]

Right on @1989FJ , looks great, me and the fam are IN.

 

[Mike NXP]

Sweet, I was just there a few days ago. Smoke tends to change with the wind but the nearby fire seems contained enough. I wonder if Horse Prairie Cabin was burnt up or if they saved it?

I know a handful of fun little 4x4 off-shoots and camping in the area if anyone needs some info...

This little red squiggle is a bit of a trip.

 

[Mike NXP]

Sept. 15
-Darkhorse and Cowbone Lakes Trail

Woah, this was why I went down there a few days ago. I chickened out not even halfway up the hard part of the trail and bailed. That is a gnarly trail, the montana overland website pic doesn't do it justice.... I took barley any pictures because I was too focused on not dying but I would plan on some caution once you start the climb up Darkhorse

also, I bet this will take a good 3+ hours round trip from the main dirt road up to lake and back down. Took me 1.5 hours and I didn't even make it all the way up. Slow moving and lots of rocks / tight sections for a big 100 series

If you don't find camp at res lake there is some sweet spots right near the base of the primitive road / Skinner meadows. Will keep you closer to the trailhead for the next morning.

Early AM along bloody dick creek / big hole river you can see Moose. Also, a few elk herds in the area .

Lots of history in this area. Respect the land


Orange line = Not too bad . I was in a generally stock ride height 100 series. It took some careful line planning but it made it without any issues. A few tight sections required some K turns to make it work. Lots of roots to bounce you around and pin-striping is going to happen in some areas.
Red line = Starts to climb pretty quickly... What got me nervous is the real lack of chicken out spots. So I start climbing and it just got steeper quick. Big rocks , some loose and kicking out under the truck. I climbed in 4 low , 1st gear for a ways before I stopped in sorta turn around area..... I walked a bit up the trail and determined, yes we could do it but no we probably shouldn't. I was solo with my wife and dog and it didn't seem worth it. Turned around and headed back down

** Don't let me scare you away from the trail, I just don't know anyone here or your level of off road experience. It's just worth mentioning that steep hills can equal disaster and it can happen quickly if you pick a bad line.... There are plenty of trees and tie off spots for your winch just in case which is a huge plus but please be careful out there

Camp spot near the entrance of Darkhorse road. Huge field and other spots around for a group. Near the creek. followed by the only pic I took of the trail . This was the orange line and is considered the easier part of the run.

 

[Mike NXP]

I kind of want to drive down and try this again with you guys .....hmmmmmm


** If the fire blocks you out from the SE side, coming from Jackson is also a very nice ride with great views of the divide.

 

[90WT]

Edit: Gaia overlay with USFS 2016 overlay shows the road getting fun (single dashed line). The Leadville trail we did a few months ago had similar markings on the FS map. I'm always wondering if roads are open, or even roads, when the FS maps don't mesh with Gaia or OnX.

I might join up for Sat night camping, but it's a long shot right now. I'll text ya if I can sneak out.

 

[Mike NXP]

Is the road open to vehicles all the way to Cowbone Lake? USFS 2016 map overlay in Gaia hints the road stops before the Lakes. I might join up for Sat night camping, but it's a long shot right now. I'll text ya if I can sneak out.

View attachment 3719637

Yeah, the road leads to the lake , or at least to the mine site nearby at the top. Usfs map stops where my orange line above is shown in my image above... . The next short red line and further dashed line is accessible for folks more brave then me.

Looks like forest service maps shows it as a hiking trail lol

 

[elkun1]

open to cowbone, great campsite there. as usual didn't take any pictures but highly recommend this one

 

[Mike NXP]

open to cowbone, great campsite there. as usual didn't take any pictures but highly recommend this one

Was it as steep and boulder-y as I remember for that last bit or was I just a sissy ?

Looks like it does flatten out once you get up a bit higher by the lakes.

 

[Mike NXP]

Another shot from the road leading up, not too bad for the first few miles in

 

[elkun1]

Was it as steep and boulder-y as I remember for that last bit or was I just a sissy ?

Looks like it does flatten out once you get up a bit higher by the lakes.

View attachment 3719930

being by yourself you made the right decision if you were getting uncomfortable. would be a heck of a hike if you needed help. you should come back and make the run with the guys. experience is the only way you learn, sadly. we did this trail in june and still had snow drifts to add some character. i had my camp trailer behind me and was going over a drift until i wasn't. had to get pulled out of that one. as i recall the trail gets a little skinnier and a little more challenging after darkhorse. nothing bad but you have to pay attention. a stock cruiser should have no major problem getting in there.

 

[Mike NXP]

being by yourself you made the right decision if you were getting uncomfortable. would be a heck of a hike if you needed help. you should come back and make the run with the guys. experience is the only way you learn, sadly. we did this trail in june and still had snow drifts to add some character. i had my camp trailer behind me and was going over a drift until i wasn't. had to get pulled out of that one. as i recall the trail gets a little skinnier and a little more challenging after darkhorse. nothing bad but you have to pay attention. a stock cruiser should have no major problem getting in there.

I cant believe you pulled a trailer up there lol nice work....yeah the solo factor had me second guessing everything...

Wish I could make it down there again for this ride...im still scheming but not looking good

 

[1989FJ]

Thank for all the info on this @Mike NXP @elkun1. Sounds like I’ll be using my skid plates if I bring the Tacoma for this one.

 

[1989FJ]

Alight this one’s coming up this weekend, anyone else planning to make the trip?

 

[geo5]

Alight this one’s coming up this weekend, anyone else planning to make the trip?

Bringing the fam, we’re excited. Looks like a solid itinerary @1989FJ

5yo has Many Questions about the ghost town.

 

[90WT]

What GMRS Channel? or HAM?

 

[1989FJ]

What GMRS Channel? or HAM?

GMRS Ch15

 

[MTsoul]

This is going to be a great run with plenty of opportunities to see neat things. Plus i would love to go back to Banack again...just bummed I can't make it.

 

[geo5]

Hey Y’all we’re gonna head down Friday afternoon and find a campsite at the Clark canyon reservoir, about 25min south of Dillon.

LMK if anyone wants to join.

@1989FJ will you please post gps coordinates for Saturday AM meetup spot?

 

[1989FJ]

@geo5

It’s looking like I might be the only one coming down on Saturday morning. How’s meeting at the campground and heading out from there at 9 sound?